Here is an idea I had although don't love…. cream garage door with windows and cream craftsman style door (although the house is not craftsman, we like the look…)

Are you trying to stay true to the modern architecture-which is gorgeous-or do you not care?

Not necessarily, I don't love the modern look in general, but I guess you cant force something to be what its not.... what are your thoughts?

No to the cream garage door. Since you're on a budget, I would just paint or replace the front door and edit the landscaping so you can see the front door.

er612 what color door would you recommend?

Maybe lime green or teal. I know lime sounds wild but I love it on this house: http://imgick.mlive.com/home/mlive-media/width960/img/grandrapidspress/photo/2015/05/29/img-6378jpg-e470c557b7667cf6.jpg

If you need to replace the garage door (for functionality), I would replace it with one that matches your windows (black or dark grey - can't tell). Then in the next phase (assuming there is one), I would paint the dark brown areas slightly darker so they match the window frames.

Any bright color would be great on the front door. If the garage is functional leave it for now (no cream paint). If you replace it, match it to the style of the house.

If you want to paint the eaves and beams you could use a grayish blue. It will add interest without being shocking. I would paint the entry door orange.

a house in my old neighborhood was much like this one, and it was orange and brown. it was not a good look, or a popular house. although perhaps it was the neighborhood that wasnt up to snuff.

i guess it would depend on if there are other houses in your neighborhood similar to this (there werent, in ours) then you could be bolder. consider living in a "painted lady" in a neighborhood of raised ranches.

So I really like moacometlady suggestion to do these cedar garage doors and front doors, and am wondering if I can make this house lean more towards rustic cabin look, rather than modern. The neon suggestions are cool, but not me…. Any suggestions to go this route? Is adding stone siding (don't know name of it) costly? If that's doable where could I put it?

Thanks so much for everyones awesome suggestions!

I don't think the cedar works and does not do enough to change modern to rustic cabin.

I love the cedar doors and prefer it over my previous suggestions but I didn't think it was in your budget.

moacometlady i love these! I need too look into the options and see if I can find a color that goes with the houses color, also wondering if I add support arches under the beams if it would help minimize the modern look….

What about just simply painting your front doors a fun color possibly an orangeish red or a blue, then adding some potted plants out by your garage in that same color. This would liven up the look and feel of your space. I would try an easy change like this, and see if you are happy with the results!

[https://www.houzz.com/products/hearty-orange-prvw-vr~6499716[(https://www.houzz.com/products/hearty-orange-prvw-vr~6499716)

[https://www.houzz.com/products/benjamin-moore-province-blue-2135-40-prvw-vr~1289975[(https://www.houzz.com/products/benjamin-moore-province-blue-2135-40-prvw-vr~1289975)

Good luck on your project, you have a lovely home!

I feel like these houses have more of an Asian feel than a Craftsman feel, so I'd be headed in that direction for inexpensive accents. Maybe take the dark brown all the way to black, if so inclined, and I like the lime door or a deep red. And maybe a more modern style of garage door, if you're determined to replace it rather than paint.

Home Front Yards · More Info

Also, here's another color scheme that might feel more modern without being too jarring with the overall design of the place:

Front Walk · More Info

Luxus beautiful color choices, just what I had in mind.

I wouldn't go heavily detailed "carriage house" or "craftsman" on the garage doors. They are nice looking doors, just really wrong for the house. Maybe you could do natural wood in a slab.

Hastings Lane · More Info

Interested to see what you decided. Have you considered a frosted glass garage door? This door would give the facade a more modern edge.