I think your ideas are right: I think square columns would look better, it looks like you could use the square base and top there to make them squared off, and more farmhouse style lights would be nice. As to painting the siding, while I like gray, taupe, sage green or gray-blue with brick, if you are going to keep the columns white I think a color other than white on the siding would look too busy, and your light colored roof means a light color siding would be better. But you could try a grayish white or a creamy white for the siding and pure white for the columns and trim, try uploading your photos to a paint program like

http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/for-your-home/personal-color-viewer

To try it out with some different colors.

You don't mention your shutters or door; do you like the shutters? Maybe see what it looks like without the lower ones, the one on the gable is fine. And while the door looks like good wood, if you wanted a strong color you could paint the door.

Add some nice porch furniture and maybe a few large potted plants.

You certainly have space to add landscaping, but if it's not your thing and can't afford it, don't bother. Just trim up the foundation plantings already there, I would completely take out the shrubs in front of the columns. I don't see a path to your front door, does no one go in that way?

http://www.houzz.com/photos/exterior/query/Cottage-style/nqrwns

[https://www.houzz.com/photos/farmhouse-exterior-home-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_736~s_2114[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/farmhouse-exterior-home-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_736~s_2114)

http://www.houzz.com/photos/exterior/query/Country-style/nqrwns

Youve got a nice house to start with, it will be stunning with a little work.

Remove the shrubs that are blocking the porch.

Oh my goodness! I knew I was gonna hear ab the landscaping haha. I don't know the first thing about it! We will definitely be removing the shrubs in front of the porch! Thank you so much for the pic...it looks much better that way! Thank you for all of your comments ... Very helpful!!

Sooo we got rid of the bushes in front of porch this afternoon and will clean it up some more tomorrow!!! Already looks better though!! I just don't have an eye for that kind of stuff but am thankful you all do!!

Did you just change the shutters? If so, I would add matching wood columns. Ex.

Now that I can see the house, consider a walkway/sidewalk from street to door. That way your eye goes to the door. I'm chuckling, take the rest of the plantings out and it will look even better. I'm not joking, it's time to start from scratch. What zone and what direction does your house face?

The shutters are not wide enough, too skimpy for size of window

Darken the peak

I never like yellow and brown together. A deep green for the shutters.

You have symmetry in this facade. Accent your columns but not dark, you don't want them fading or blending. I really like the porch idea, it makes your porch much more inviting. It's too austere as is.

Big front lawn would look good with a red maple, or an oak.

We went from white trim to sable trim. Also changed out the round pillars. Just to give you an idea.

We have a sidewalk leading to the front porch just can't see it in the pics I posted. You can kind of see it in this pic. Goes along the landscaping from the garage/driveway to the front porch. Oh and also, when we bought the house, it had faded hunter green shutters but I didn't like them and one fell during a storm so my hubs made cedar shutters as a quick fix...don't care if we change them or keep them...would love to hear other suggestions regarding shutter ideas :)

On a different note, would anyone suggest painting the brick? How expensive can that get?

Found a few pics of the back of our house and our pond. We would have to buy quite a few columns

You have a lovely home. The pillars are fine, AND no maintenance! I think I would go for better landscaping and lighting only.

What a cute pup! Is (s)/he a dogo?

Lol I didn't even notice my pup in the pic haha. He is a pit bull...Tater!

You'll find all sorts of pro/con arguments about painting brick on houzz, but it seems that paint companies are making formulas specifically for painting brick, I would talk to your local paint store for their advice about how it holds up in your weather. Other options are staining (good if you want to go dark), pargeing or schmearing (which adds mortar to paint) or whitewashing/limewashing where some red of the brick shows (doesn't have to be white, it can be tinted). All have their pros and cons. Some are easier diy, some you might want a pro. You'll have to do good prep work first, there should be YouTube videos, or look on This Old House's website.

you can just make the existing columns square by boxing them in, the wood just goes over what is there already.

Painted brick

Parged/schmeared brick

Whitewashed brick

If your husband can build shutters, he can probably box in the current columns.

I'd keep the columns and spread them out that span with just a column each end would look like a back porch unless you did a French curve on the roof and the 2 so close on each side is out of proportion. Id cut the eyebrow off the gable and put some over sized bird boxes with a decorative curve on them. Paint the shutter. I have brick and would never paint it its Maintenance free now and bugs are on everything that's painted. I googled gable windows and saw some pretty good options. Looking at a closer pictures those look like snap together aluminum. Depending on where you are they may have all thread in them for uplift. Really think just changing the window which I bet goes to a functional room and spread the columns.
I'd plant street side of your sidewalk following it if it curves and if not would plant like it does and do so informal. Would remove the bushes right side of the porch but leave the left.

Id place a good size magnolia looking one o'clock out your front door around 50-60' out.

I think this is what your house is suppose to look like.

Since you are indifferent to the shutters, I think you should remove them. Except for the garage window. Shutters are usually not put on double windows. Trim existing shrubs to below window height.

If we decide to box the columns in ourselves, do you all suggest cedar and is there a particular color tint that would look best against the brick? We will have about 8 to box in, including the back. Also, any suggestions on where we should buy from? We live right outside of Memphis (Shelby Forest) may have to ask some local people. Thanks again! You all have been more than helpful!