How to make external entrance look nicer?

[Methenyouplus4]

The true front of our house is actually now the back as the road was moved many years ago (long before we lived here,). As a result, our 'back' is lovely but the new front is ugly peddle dash with an ugly upvc porch.

We don't have a load of money to change it so just wanted some low budget ideas. So far I've planted lavender along flowerbed leading up to the door and added pots with herbs in around the entrance. Any other ideas? Please feel free to link websites selling nice garden features etc. I could try to add a photo if that would help though never tried on here before!

[NumTumDeDum]

Would taking the porch down make it look worse?

[LoveVintage]

Could you put up trellis and grow something up the wall? What you have done already sounds lovely.

[Methenyouplus4]

Num tum - that's the plan eventually, we will be moving some internal walls to so waiting until then. It'll be about five years until we can afford that though!

Lovevintage-good thinking, any ideas for a really quick growing ever green climber?

[Methenyouplus4]

Num tum - that's the plan eventually, we will be moving some internal walls to so waiting until then. It'll be about five years until we can afford that though!

Lovevintage-good thinking, any ideas for a really quick growing ever green climber?

[PoppyAmex]

Watching with interest, also been looking for a climber, ideally a hardy evergreen (we are in Scotland) and so far shortlisted the iceberg rose.

I find I notice plants, nice outdoor lighting, mats outside front door and windowsills. I also think gravel makes paths look jolly.

[LoveVintage]

Solanums are apparently good for quick growing.
Clematis always look nice when out but aren't evergreen.
Ivy, but watch what kind. Not Russian Vine, it grows too vigorously.
Black eyed Susan.

You could plant sweet peas and nasturtiums which would look very pretty, but are annuals.

[Youdontneedacriminallawyer]

Could you paint the pebble dash white? Or would that look odd? Pot plants and hanging baskets always brighten up a front aspect - could you paint the front door a jolly colour?

[Methenyouplus4]

Thanks for the plant ideas.

Door is upvc, would love to paint it but may look odd? I'd also paint the pebble dash but as the whole back of the house is covered in the lovely (ahem) stuff, it would possibly look odd if just the porch was painted?

Hanging basket idea is great, as is the lighting (very oddly placed one that doesn't work there at the moment). What sort of mat could you put outside that the rain wouldn't ruin?

[poocatcherchampion]

I have the same problem as you (none of your interesting back is now the front thing though - just an 80s house and a grotty drive and it all looks a bit unloved. I've bought a tub of flowers but that is not quite doing it!

[r2d2ismyidealman]

I think just save up the money you need to get it looking the way you want it and invest your energy on finding what you want and the best price. Maybe even get an interest free credit card so you can pay the work off in monthly instalments.