Thank you for your input. We have spoken with a concrete contractor, who said we could re-grade it away from the house and put the concrete slabs back down. I know we have limited options, but I was hoping for some ideas to do it differently that would increase curb appeal.

Also, does anyone know if it's more problematic to widen the driveway later (i.e. cracks more easily)?

@ bgfuqua - do you have any recommendations for painting exterior color?

Personally, I would paint the exterior. Below is the url to a sample home on Benjamin Moore Canada, but I think you could apply it to your house. This colour sample gives you sort of a monochrome look. As for your driveway & walkway, I'd like to suggest pavers. Tear out that walk so that the driveway and walkway are at the same level. With pavers you can use a border to separate the two areas.

Brick: 517 (Greenbrook); Siding: 2142-30 (Mountain Moss); Trim: 518 (Sterling Forest); Doors: 238 (Urban Legend)

http://ds.benjaminmoore.com/RenderService.svc/BuildImage/03ab2ee6-657c-4ef3-996c-8eb7406bbbde/1424/fit/596/440/184632-pa9156-184634-pa11442-184633-pa10393-184635-pa9865?v=1

What about a mixed material walkway like this to add some interest? I'd suggest a pathway with grass or plants, but maybe watering this area is a problem. If you want some of those ideas, check Google Images for "pathway next to house".

http://smallspotgardens.com/tag/concrete/

Congrats on the first house. Being practical I would start with the issue of a bad grade if water is getting into the basement. Get estimates from your concrete company for some of the options you're looking at. Stamped concrete can be an attractive option if they do it. Much depends on budget.

A series of raised planter boxes running along the fence line to the right of the house might be an option. Your shrubs could be replaced with plantings that offer color, shapes and textures to soften the square look. I'm not a fan of sheared shrubs. Drag the garden hose out and make some curvy shapes across the front of the house and down the edge of your driveway and see if it appeals to you.

I think your driveway could look fine without widening it if you edge it with some paving stones. Having it curved on the fence side adds interest,it just looks unfinished as is.

@ MarleneM A hole is created where the curve meets the sidewalk from trying to angle to back out. We not only want to widen the driveway for extra parking, but also to get rid of this big pot hole. It is even more accentuated now since the village fixed the sidewalk.

I am thinking pavers to line both sides of the driveway and make the "step" level with the driveway and made with pavers. I am also thinking of extending the "step" area a bit beyond the house to create a bubble curve that will come back and thin out along the driveway. I want to make this with a small sitting wall ending with a light. This curve would also accent the landscaping in front, where I would (eventually) create more of a layered garden look. Just have to make sure this is in the budget!

We will be replacing the front door and possibly the garage door sooner rather than later as well. I am thinking a garage door with windows that curve or something.

What do you think of my ideas?

Good Morning! Have you considered a wreath for your door to add a little charm? Sometimes, small purchases like a wreath can make a big difference!

http://deciture.com/personalized-18-wreath-ivory-hydrangeas-white-monogram-burlap-bow/

http://deciture.com/personalized-18-wreath-yellow-forsythias-white-monogram-initial/

Hope this helps you!

Jillpy...I think I understand what you're saying. Instead of your cement walkway to the door, you'd have a paver sidewalk that extends beyond the edge of the house, curves out and back to the driveway. That's a good idea. Would the shape leave a little garden area between the driveway and curve of the walkway? Also, you'd add pavers to edge the driveway. That will be a huge improvement. Do you need a new door and garage door or could they just be improved cosmetically?

Your home has a Japanese feel about it. Try doing some research, this is what I would do. Paint the house so the color corresponds better with the brick. If the front door cannot be expanded so be it. Just make sure you buy furniture that can get into the house. That is not the end of the world. Always properly vet any contractors before listening to their advice, get references and rely on their experience. Have you considered adding low pines around the house, it will give shade, cool the interior naturally and be very attractive. A pea gravel driveway and paths with stepping stones are Japanese in feel and would go with the house. Do not do pavers with incised stamps, you won't like them in two years let alone ten.

Some inspiration. I know you won't be able to implement the left side of the steps, but look at the right and how it goes all the way over to the side of the garage.

Some more inspiration.

Love this one! lots of detail, cement and stone. It would look great with your home. The detail leads you right to the door. Elegant and no more water in the basement. :-)

@ mick50 No, I don't think there would be space for a garden between the curve and the driveway; the walkway is too skinny. It would be on the left side of the curve. I don't think the bushes in front of the left side of the house does anything to help it. I would use this area to enhance landscaping with a layered garden look. Ideally, I would like to move the tree in the front corner elsewhere (unless it's creating energy efficiency from the current location). Regarding the front door, we had a mishap and had to bust the door down, it still functions and locks with a deadbolt, but we are planning on replacing it. The garage door is currently having mechanical issues, but we have not determined the problem yet. As long as we can figure out and fix the mechanical problems, we do not necessarily need a new garage door. Ideally, I would like one with windows on it though (in the future).

The picture I attached is of the left front side of our house. The bushes were planted slightly staggered to create some curve, but you can't even really tell!

@ Gray & Walter, Ltd. and njmomma I see what you're saying...I never thought of that... while it's beautiful designs, it's not really the look I'm interested in for my home. We have more of a modern cottage/transitional feel going on inside. Also, I don't think pea gravel will work in the Chicago area, where we have to contend with snow...

I really love the look of stonework though...

Jilly - even though you may not immediately see the potential for a more contemporary look - if what you like is modern cottage, there is a way to tweak it so your cottage stuff comes through but you do use the contemporary lines of your home. I think it would be a bad mistake to try curving sunrise windows on the garage door.
The long concrete to the front door is the right answer, but instead of tearing it all out and putting it back, consider having it topped so the slope works right, and they can add an exposed aggregate on epoxy finish that will be great with ice and snow but drain away from the house - less expensive than tearing out and starting over if you have 2" between step and bottom of entry door.

For the house, right now you have several clashes you can fix with a bit of attention. Your stone is earth toned and the windows someone put in are white. . . then the roof and the siding are gray - good with white but not with the stone tone. Cladding the brick with stone will narrow the entry further and is not a good solution. Staining the brick with a warm gray - deeper in tone than your siding, that is a good long term solution, or washing it with watered down darker gray paint will give it a mod cottage feel. This is something you can do yourself. Test sw software http://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/find-and-explore-colors/paint-colors-by-family/SW7074-software/
water it down by 1/2 and apply with a paintbrush with a large sponge by your side for catching the drips and evening it out. The brick will absorb a lot but still have variegation.

What accent colors are you using in your living spaces on the warm side? (Red,orange,yellow, dijon?) Tangerine would be a great color on the front door. .
like sw osage orange http://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/find-and-explore-colors/paint-colors-by-family/SW6890-osage-orange/

With the little sunrise window in your entry door in a bright tone, juxtaposed against a house that has more color consistency (but also some antiqued brick cottage charm), the rest will be landscape. Add flowering groundcovers . . in the fall put bulbs in. Replace the center shrub across the front of the house with a shrub in tree form that has bronze foliage . . .

For now, just have them do a top coat / slurry seal on the asphalt until you are ready to expand more. If you do expand, consider building a trellis. . maybe the white wood look aluminum posts and cross members like a carport and a train rack pergola all the way across both garage and carport area?

@ libradesigneye a lot of great suggestions! I hadn't considered the exposed aggregate. It's something worth looking into, especially if pavers are out of budget. I will have to consult our concrete guy if our issue can be fixed by your suggestion. I really like your suggestion about painting the brick. Our colors indoors are mainly neutral, but my accent colors are a turquise-y blue and red. The previous owner used more of a yellow color inside. The tangerine is a little bright for my taste, but I would be okay with red.

I am re-considering the curved windows for the garage cuz I think you're right. I agree that the landscaping would help a lot. I like your idea of the trellis over the garage, but that would have to be further down the road.

Why not a turquoise-y blue? Just guessing at your own colors, so bring swatches home - you want a deep tone for a front door against the lighter gray . . . Something like sw stratford blue http://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/find-and-explore-colors/paint-colors-by-family/SW2864-stratford-blue/
or for red, stay spicey - test habanero chile http://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/find-and-explore-colors/paint-colors-by-family/SW7589-habanero-chile/

I do like both of those colors! The turquise-y blue is perfect! I think I would lean more towards tomato red (if I went that route). Thank you for all of the suggestions!