Not many windows, are they all on the back? What is the "lawn", looks like rocks? Paint the door and trim a lighter color: BM Gloucester Green CW-440 or Chamber Yellow CW-410.

Yes, all windows in the back overlooking a wonderful view, but unfortunately makes the front look terrible.

Hi Donna,

Great house!

Some tall planters might be an inexpensive solution. You can do something formal or go completely casual. The scale of your void is quite large, so you can have fun with planters of various widths and heights. Even some architectural grasses can be quite pretty. Some up-lighting...maybe a bench, or a Pair of chairs, and suddenly it's an interesting focal point. I'd love to have that canvas to work with! Whatever you end up doing, please send pictures. Have fun!

Annette, thank you for those suggestions... I hadn't thought of trellises at all. The planters are also a great thought. It gets full western sun there (Arizona) but also gets down below freezing at night. Something moveable, and removable, might be just the thing until we can build a porch across.

How about some windows?

Consider adding a shed roof porch all across the right side of the house beside the gable roof above the horizontal board above the downstairs windows..

https://cdn.decorpad.com/photos/2013/04/12/c9824038d6e3.jpeg

Pressed metal exterior wall art in the space above the smallest window could break up the bland and add interest, with our without a wider front porch.

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/fa/fe/ca/fafeca7c22a871562528fd7f5ad8d2a0.jpg

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/76/01/9e/76019e652de1934dc05b728ccd08a0dc.jpg

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/30/01/48/3001487332432fa9d7397f36b4c87ea2.jpg

Create a sidewalk to the driveway in an arc shape and add a basic concrete bird bath between the sidewalk and house. You might even consider a front yard patio on the side of the front yard opposite the driveway.

http://www.jeffconcrete.com/media/uploads/images/products/images/bird_bath.JPG

With a shape that is wider at the tip, the water in the bird bath has a place to expand as it freezes in winter.

If you can add and/or change out a couple of windows for small bay windows or garden windows, that could add interest. If privacy is an issue, you might consider frosted glass for the windows.

https://www.google.com/search?q=small+bay+window+or+garden+window&biw=1366&bih=622&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjln5-G-aPNAhWCMz4KHWAbCQMQsAQIGw

BeverlyFLADeziner made a good suggestion several minutes ago for changes to the windows IF that works with the floor plan.

Beverly, thank you yes, I agree that windows would be great, but all the windows are on the side and back of the house, this side is full west and gets too hot in the Arizona sun. Would be nice though!

Leona and Sue, thank you so much for all your suggestions! We are starting to look at the empty space as more than just the wall of the house, but creating a space in front of it as well until we can build the porch across. So appreciate the advice!

I have a similar small window on the front facade of my house. It is also off-center so I am going to add one shutter only, the same size as the window & place it on the right side to balance the unbalanced look of my house. You might try that for the two small windows to see if that helps. Love the flower box ideas. Great cheap idea.

How about a tree? Lots of conifers do well here (I'm on the rim), a nice cone shaped tree would balance the left side and shade the right.

what about framing out the windows with extra big frames? and painting them a contrasting color. just noticed they are framed but maybe could go bigger? what about a bright paint/stain color? what is your siding?

Hi again Donna,

This is what I meant by up lighting. If you could hide a few lamps behind your planters or trellises (also a great idea!) you'd add some visual drama for the evenings as well.

I love your house as is. It's very reminiscent of a Salt Box design. Save your money for your future veranda, and have some fun with some tall plants in the meantime. They would probably help deflect some of the heat as well. Cheers!

I like the wider flat trim in this photo. The window trim, horizontal trim and peaks are painted green. If you beefed up the window and horizontal trims on yours and painted them a color, I think it would look great. The horizontal trim in a different color will break up the two storey height. Agree that a bench or trellis on the big blank wall & some big planters would really help bring your eyes down.

The 2nd photo is just an example of how landscaping can improve things. Not many windows and they are small.

I don't know Arizona plants, I'm up in Ontario Canada.