HI -- If you did a veranda across then it would not be able to line up with the entrance roof line . And having four levels of roof line may not look proper . What if you added some horizontal siding boards under each window to breakup the brick texture . A wide board from James Hardie or even some cedar or Ipe wood . Maybe you need some help from an Architect .

Wow that house looks huge... what is the siding made of? Is that brick?

Maybe some Black Hardie Reveal Panel under each window and more lighting to light up the front of the house like stage lights.

At the very least you need a good landscape design.

Professional landscaping is the most important element needed for your home. Is there any window trim that can be painted? Also, consider window treatments that look good from the outside as well as the inside.

I suggest you post a picture of the front of the house that is lighter (a little clearer than the one you provided.

The previous poster suggestions of adding an architectural item like a large porch would help to give the house facade more interest and better scale. It seems to me that you would benefit more by making a substantial three-dimensional change like this than simply trying to break up facing materials or add trim to divide the wall height into separate areas.

To my eye, a thoughtful landscaping scheme will help enormously, including larger bushes/shrubs near the house and possibly trees in the yard to filter and soften the views of the house wall from the street.

Good luck!

Yes it's brick and the very top is siding. We are under contract to purchase..having a few bids drawn up for ideas. We thought maybe a porch like the ones below..but the front door is in an awkward place. and yes..LANDSCAPING is totally key!

Is that better? Brighter?

Minor landscaping, crescendoing to the front door. Front door needs to be forceful & strong. Fenestration to be complimented by unification of window treatments. Primarily window shades with center split draperies or sheers. It's all about the Windows. Keep them uniform.

I'm not sure what a strong/ forceful door would be..would you mind posting a picture of a suggestion???? please!

No porch . It was not meant to be with this architecture. Perhaps metal roof, simple hedges along front, along the Windows...simple walkway From garage area to front door (assuming there isn't a second driveway to door), water fountain in yard, very English garden. Much inspiration, but please no porch.

No porch. Your house is not like the houses you posted with porches. I like the simplicity of the house. It only needs landscaping,

and different hardscape in front.

I hope that the bids contain information on what they will do with all of those windows, where they will marry the two and make one - it will help with the façade also.

Please share the ideas when you get them.

Melindacosta, just a final comment with regard to whether anything architectural should be added to the front of the house to improve its appearance the picture that emmarene posted, with some added landscaping at the base of he wall, is a good visual image to compare with the existing house. Is the the improvement in the house appearance sufficient for you? If not, what else is needed? What is the cost/benefit of various options?

Fortunately or unfortunately, the center section of the house massing is the first thing one's eye goes to, not either side wing, and that center section is a bit underwhelming, at least to my eye. No amount of low landscaping is going to substantially change that, although it improves it. As noted earlier, you might want to consider planting a tree or two to filter views of the house wall from the street.

I encourage you to think of the house as an architectural object to which you can do anything you wish, within your cost limitations. This approach is different from that of those who feel that a certain architectural style must be assigned to houses (most of whose architectural features are contemporary-builder-modified details from many design styles/periods), and repeated when making alterations. As an architect, I simply look at the visual qualities of the house and ask myself, does it look appealing and if so, why, and if not, why not? You can do the same thing if you are so inclined.

Again, good luck as you determine the appropriate thing to do for your situation.

I appreciate ALL the wonderful advice!! I have to say that the reason we have thought of adding a wrap around porch or budget

(oops that earlier post sent with out all the info I typed in..arrgg)
The reason we are thinking of adding a front porch is....when you come up to the house it looks very much like an apartment building or business complex. Even my 14 yr old upon seeing it said "it looks like a business building." Trees are a wonderful idea as well as bushes etc..but I'm worried it will still look flat and looming like an apartment building. The inside has character and is very nice..after $30K it will look even better. We have a $30K outside budget as well..We would like to add sidewalks and a large cement driveway all around the home, extend the patio out back and add something to the front to create some dimension. Just a little more info for those who have asked. I'm not an architect or even a designer...I'm a nurse so believe me when I say I appreciate all your wonderful ideas...each one is sooooo appreciated!!!

OMG - I am so glad that you said it looks like an apartment building - I did not want to be cruel and say it.

I can't wait to see the ideas that the bidders will come up with.

@shirlpp..ha..no worries..it is what is it.. right! You can understand why we want to add dimension?

A Large porch would be nice, be sure that part of it is shaded so you have options for seating. It appears that you have a lot of grass, I think it would be nice to have some flower beds mixed with taller shrubbery.

We are thinking of an 8 foot front porch with an overhang that meets up with the overhang by the front door. I would like to add flower beds with bushes etc in from of that.

A cedar pergola between upper and lower stories along with a cedar garage door with windows would add texture and lightness to the front. Paint your entry doorway a cobalt blue or yellow. Then create a very deep rounded bed in front of the house with trees, shrubs, ornamental grasses, and perennial flowering plants.

When planning your landscaping don't forget to think vertically; many different kinds of vines will love all that brick and soften the look. An added bonus is that although it will command attention, it will do so by being beautiful, rather than because people are searching for the door.

Personally I don't think the style lends itself to a large porch. Emmarene's landscaping mock-up looks great, I would add to continue it on the other side of the entrance wing to emphasize "THIS IS THE DOOR!"

You've received good advice here. The house has a contemporary architecture with an industrial look, which you could enhance with stone, glass and metal. Shutters and porch do not go with the house architecture. If you are open to painting the bricks, you could have a stunning effect. Landscape must go with the architecture too. Do live in the house for a while until it speaks to you :-) and consult with an architect for major architectural and/or color themes.

Landscaping would be the first logical step. I would hire a professional landscape designer because they usually are associated with someone who can do the job, too. You need trees, shrubs, flowers and hardscape (walkways and such). If you think you can do it yourself, think again. Trees can be big and heavy, and digging the holes may require equipment. You need to know where you can't dig (locations of water lines, power, sewer, cess field, etc.).

Landscaping can get expensive, but if you have a plan, you can do it in stages, starting with the trees.