i just looked at a lot of L shaped ranch houses on google (you might like to do the same) and it looks like there are no quick-and-cheap options. this one seems to be the most like yours. i'd advise an architect to make meaningful change for replacing the stuck on roof in a craftsmanlike manner.

you might consider extending a porch with a shed roof across the front of the house. you will want to scale the support posts and wood banister accordingly. I would hire an architect to help scale it. unfortunately, you may have to lose the conifer looking shrub/tree near your current tree. add this porch is probably one of the least expensive changes that you could do to give the house a pseudo craftsman detail and put a roof over your front door.

since you like the craftsman style, you'll want to lose the white trim and shutters. go with a darker trim and leave off the shutters. you would typically want wider window trim for the craftsman style, but since the windows are different sizes, you need to be careful how they are trimmed out to avoid more asymmetry.

in the image, the color of the siding on the side of your house appears not to coordinate at all with the brick color. I guess you could ignore the siding and focus on the front of the house. it would paint the siding to match the trim if that I should an option.

I can't tell what color the roof is, but the trim color should not be darker than the roof if you continue the trim color on to the siding.

as for the trim color, I would pick a color from your brick for the trim as long as it is not darker than your roof.

In the current images, the brick appears to have a lot of light and dark contrasts, which I think is accentuated by the white trim. I would hope that the new darker trim color would calm down the brick. if it were my house, I would consider staining (NOT paint) the brick so that it loses some of its light and dark contrasts.

as for the front door and and garage doors' color, I would pick a color that contrasts with your trim. I can't tell what color the window sashes are currently. I would paint them if they are white currently and probably would use the same color on the door. I would keep the intensity (shading) of your colors equal.

this gives you something to think about and might make you think about different options for your house.

I would look around your area to see what other people have done with this type of house.

Here is a Craftsman ranch that can give you some ideas. The pergola entry with stone and wood columns could work in your corner with a new Craftsman style door. Windows could use awnings instead of shutters and more stone could run below them. Not sure if you should paint the brick, but it is possible. This house has shingles, but your brick might not look too different from this if painted.

This is the best I could find. This seems to be a real challenge. Best of luck!

lol, jsreams, thats the same one i found up top, too. but i think its a do-able choice.

Thank you all for your imput! We are planning on doing a complete remodel of the exterior of the home so all of your ideas are appreciated.

I really like that njmomma! That is an option for sure.

I’d love to see what you decided to do as we’re currently under contract to purchase a 1973 L shaped ranch that has a real unappealing exterior. It’s so overgrown at this point it’s hard to tell much from photos. I’m here looking for suggestions as well. We love a mid century look so I’m thinking of a porch with a pergola or patio with a short horizontal fence around it.

Following. also own L shape ranch with undeisrable front door situation

The metal awning does look inappropriate and wimpy…have you considered adding a larger or longer front porch with a real roof (gutter edge for drainage), wood support posts and a wood rail? The flimsy white railing and support piece should be removed along with the metal porch roof/awning. Paint the yellow siding to match the color of the wood trim or one of the lighter colors in the brick.

Any updates on this? I have a similar dilemma. We need to cover at least the front steps - the weather is damaging them. We can't seem to find a contractor who will help.

Some ideas: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/28429041385804382/