I agree with Rusty. The deck needs to go. Maybe some of the lumber could be salvages to rebuild a cute front porch. Search for front porch makeovers on Google images for some ideas. A curved walk would add some visual interest to the square front. with bordered flowers and plantings. Your local free-cycle groups are good resources for free plants.

Congratulations first time home owner! You have a lovely home and over time you will put your own personal touches on the house. Unfortunately, I think the lower part of the deck is taking away from the look of the house. I like the steps leading to the front door and the part of the deck with the railing but the lower part doesn't quite work. Could that part be removed and then could you box in the steps? I would also remove the bench on the upper deck and continue the railing to the house. Box in the whole lower part of the deck so that you cannot see under it. You can then start planting some low plants in front of the deck. We need to know your climate zone or where you live to suggest plants.

Painting the deck & garage doors to match your shutters (or change all the color to a darker blue-gray, since the roof isn't brown) and lowering the bench backs down by removing the top two boards would help a lot.. maybe remove the right side completely & add a little table and some outdoor throw pillows. I would put just a bit off lattice under the bottom to meet the ground and a railing around the deck so it feels like a true porch. Then add flowers along the front except the actual entrance areas & some colorful potted flowers scattered around.

I think the biggest issue with the deck is that the banisters have no character & the edge just drops off so it doesn't feel cozy. I like that it exists though.

Yes, I agree with the others that if you can afford to remove the deck completely I would do so and make a new entrance.

After the lower deck is removed, the front porch steps should then be centered up with the front door--nice wide steps, boxed in, and a new hand rail returning back to the house. Wider step most likely means the walk will need to be modified to span the entire width of the bottom step.

I don't see any problem having the deck. But, you should plant a row of evergreens in front of it. Clipped trimmed boxwood will be nice. Or, Yew shrubs. The Yews grow faster, but the will require more clipping to keep them neat. Wrap the shrubs around the side too so you are enclosing the deck area. You have to be patient though and they will grow together to serve as a short wall. They will give you a little privacy on your deck and define the area. If later you remove the deck and replace with a patio, it will still look great! Then plant some colorful sun loving annuals in front of them like petunia, geranium, or zinnia using your favorite colors. Anchor the corner of the house with a nice evergreen tree or a colorful crabapple. It will be lovely!

Thank you so much for your great suggestions! Unfortunately, our budget does not allow a complete makeover of the entrance. We loved the ideas to lower the height of the bench, remove the first step, and plant shrubs and flowers in the front, and add a curved path! We were thinking about having an arched arbor with climbing plants/flowers between the left side of the house and the birch tree. What do you think? Thanks!

Most of the arbors you see for sale these days are not very sturdy and won't last a year. If that's what you want wait 'til you can afford to have a quality piece built for you. Otherwise you are wasting good money.

Also, I think the large bushes on the side of the house are growing too close to the house. The roots could cause problems for you. You will have a hard time painting, washing windows, or doing any kind of work on the house in that area.
Personally, I like the blue-gray color of the deck. I think it compliments the red and white.

I thnk an arbor would look cluttered. instead, use what is already there and improve it. I like the idea of shrubs in front of deck (a low smartly trimmed hedge). Also, shutters that are so small cheapen the look. I would paint the house some warm colors and have deck painted to be very low key. The left windows are begging for a large flower box too.

I like the deck, I think it just needs some paint, touch up and some hedges to mask the front. I'd even add a few steps to the side and surround an area there with hedges as well. You could have your very own private outside living space. What you put down for the patio is up to you and your budget.