A porch and patio in one, plus a more "lakey" paint color like green, blue, teal. Trim another color too. White is just outlining/emphasizing the box. Go to nature for your colors.

As suggested by decoenthusiaste, paint the trim as the white is outlining the house. What a cute cottage...maybe this photo will give you some ideas. Possibly a little roof over the front door, and lantern, simple, crisp landscaping and a pretty tree (river birch) planted in the front yard.

Add a window. A window won't take away from space on the inside, and can only enhance the outside look.

oh wow. its ....Lynda we had close ideas, add some Trellis work detached with old window Frames that grow succulents, some porch over hang if possible a pergola for a extended patio or gravel area in front,hanging plants & flowering plants like an out door all seasonal enclosed, maybe some old wagon wheels or farm tools, rustic items in some earthy contrast colors, perhaps some gingerbread shingles to give more of a country cottage on the upper A frame. if the budget allow over stages Erik idea of porches is best, if your fond of the red on that clap board,just find two alternate tones for the top then to accent trim, then some really cool vintage shutters that are like a window closed effect that hang like paintings above & below, divide the upper & lower. almost all major paint brands websites offer a color play.....good luck, JV

A stair up to the door with a railing is a must - The house is tiny - why not create some friendly outdoor living space. I'd use this opportunity to add a nice porch/patio where I could put a container garden perhaps with an herb garden that extends to the right side of the door and off to the left it would be great to have some seating or a place just to relax. I'd put the stairs straight in front of the door but with about a 4-5 feet minimum landing and rails around the perimeter. Then you can plant shrubs around the outside of the porch to create a privacy screen if you like. I'd want to make the porch/patio big enough to have a bbq. There should be a small covered area over the door to keep you out of the rain.

If you don't want to do the raised porch you could place a trellis and a climbing plant in the area to the left would give some visual interest going up and break up some of the red as well. I'd create a patio area to the left of the door with some outdoor furniture. I'd personally want to have a bit of privacy by way of a small decorative wall about 12-15 feet from the house made of wood consisting of just 2-3 panels with some small lattice work at the top and some plants around the base that pulls the patio and privacy area together. Don't forget some outside lighting and a walkway. :)

A deck would be nice with built in bench seating, with storage for cushions in the benches. Maybe white vinyl fencing that you don't have to paint. Add your tables and chairs. Some pots with trees and shrubs and you'd have some living space outdoors. You can add lighting to warm it up.

Definitely needs at least a patio. I would also put some sort of black wrought iron posts to hold up a shade sail. Where the roof starts I would side with shake shingles stained in a very dark brown. The trim needs to be the same color as the shakes and the door could be a mustard ( think Gouldens ) or it could stay white. It needs a fountain or maybe a fire pit in front of the small window. Seating and a few tables scattered around.

How about natural color shingles on the upper portion of the wall. Landscaping with one or two medium size trees. Stone walkway and porch too.

First of all, calm the place down by replacing the exterior with the new cement siding that wears well, You can choose the color but go with a natural earth tone color.... Connect the stoop into the home with a large outdoor living space either of stone or decking (trek) material or both, stained with a subtle green as above or brown, with vines on a pergola to intigrate the home and outdoor space. Another option, is to add an outdoor fireplace with partial wall and built in seating area against the large wall, adding interest with natural plantings for that area. I don't know the climate, but it looks like you could use another tree or two for shade to intigrate the cottage into the landscaping. Are evergreens an option in your climate?
If your keeping the color, go with a muted green pergola. Look what Costco offers.

Hang reclaimed lobster floats in all different colors or hang some old rusty farm tools, forks, horse equipment....

thanks for all your very creative suggestions!! : ))

This would be an ideal place to have a Portico. It would add architectural appeal and would also serve a function. check out http://porticokit.com/