Get quotes and see what can be done from multiple professionals in your area. Express your concerns over the roofline and maintaining good drainage, etc. When I have hired out to get stuff done, I have done this and seen people with clearly vastly different skill levels. Sometimes you just need something simple, but sometimes you have a more complicated issue and you really need the person who knows what they're doing. I'm so glad I hired the person I did for the last project, he really knew what he was doing and got the issue fixed. He wasn't the cheapest quote (nor most expensive) and I didn't get as "fancy" looking of a job for the money, but the fundamental issues were totally fixed and have stayed that way. Some other people had fancier demo books and offered more bells and whistles for the same or cheaper price, but when talking to them I could see that they could not describe to me how they would address and fix the issues.

I would say get an architect to see what can be done IMO with the door where it is and the upper windows i would not add much

Your house is charming the way it is. What's the problem you are trying to fix? I dint see it.

Get rid of shutters, paint sidelights white, change landscaping, porch is not appropriate for this home

No porch.

Really pretty house. I wouldn't do anything, but if you are trying to cover the front door for relief from rain for guests entering, you could look at a fabric awning. I would place an awning at each window also on the first floor for a cohesive look. It will darken the interior of your home.

Thank you for your input! I don't like the front of my house and I'm trying to improve the look. I thought that a porch might be helpful but based on your feedback, this is a bad idea. If you have any suggestions on ways to improve the look, I'd appreciate it.

The house is fine. It doesn't need ''improvement. It is a classic. It's your idea of the house as needing change that needs to be changed.

Changing up the landscaping could help. Put in some more diverse plantings. You have too many of the same plants, and they are too manicured. If you take your picture to a local garden center they might be able to help, or spring for a professional plan.

I love your house...charming. I also like the colors of the roof, siding and trim. At some point consider replacing the garage door with window panes that mimic the ones in the other windows.

Your house is charming. What is dreadful is the color - dark beige aluminum or vinyl siding is not consistent with the style of your home.

Not everyone understands when we just want a change.. if you are not driven by preserving the authenticity.. consider a pergola.. across the whole front or just at the door area.. this adds a little dimension and interest.. softening up the formal look a little.. adding a freshness and charm element to your more formal home.. what ever you decide ...getting professional help is wise.. to be sure any change ties in properly

Hmmm, interesting idea. Who would I see about that, a landscape architect? Thank you so much for your input!

Your lovely house could use an facelift on the front entrance so it says welcome.

I agree that you need an architect to help properly design a porch within the context of the design of the house, for visual and especially structural. But it always to good to have some pics and a "wish list" ready when you meet with the architect, as they are not mind readers. It's also helpful for you to have a vision.

You have a natural extension to the end of the garage. Consider adding an entrance porch that includes the window to the left of the door. Adding flagstone, and changing the front door and garage door to a natural wood would also make it more inviting. A cobblestone driveway with a European approach to the front door by having the cobblestone up to and including the front entrance will make it fresher. This will eliminate some of the bushes which also hide the entrance.

ritasj mentioned a pergola, so I added a pic below. The blue shutters lighten up the front also. A pergola is usually at the back of the house, as this one is, but there are no rules for making your home sing to you. Have fun!

Front entrance porch, flagstone, natural garage and entrance door

I know this is not the correct roof line but this shows a wider front porch and columns

Note the eyebrow dormers

Note the sidelites visually extending the entrance door.

Couldn't see how much of a rise you have, but here is a very nice step up, columns and planters.

Keep it simple.

Pergola with blue shutters and stone and bluestone floor.

Your ideas are incredible... thank you so much for your time! The pictures that you posted are just beautiful!

A pergola on the front of that house would be a red rubber clown nose in a bank board meeting. Utterly ridiculous, and more than a little suspect of the person who would think it appropriate.

Sophie Wheeler, calm down, cowgirl. It wasn't me, however, everyone watches HGTV and the guy that does Curb Appeal, builds pergolas on the front of houses all the time successfully. This lovely house in not on the Historic Register and could use some curb appeal according to the homeowner.

Instead of snarky comments, why don't you suggest something terrific?

Idiotic TV isn't a justification for vandalism. The house doesn't need alterations to be terrific. It's terrific as is.

sadenisar, sorry for my rant. People that post on houzz just want some direction. I don't understand the scolding and put downs, which are happening more often lately. Most of the suggestions are a great springboard for ideas. I would think a "Pro" would feel compelled to guide someone properly.

I think your house looks lovely just as it is. The only change I would suggest is an updated porch light, in black.

Good point, deco.

Deco - great job finding ideas. I feel the OP's pain and I hope this helps her refresh her exterior. Hopefully her exterior redo will include and updated landscape plan too.

Here is a better picture. I wish I had the creativity and knowledge that all of you have!

To educate yourself ...go to photos on Houzz....type in pergolas...there are soooo many ways to do a pergola...all of them add a warm and inviting feature to a pretty regimented exterior...think a landscape architect may be a good place to start...look for one that is more innovative and creative than traditional...you have the perfect starting point with the wide flat horizontal trim above the windows and the niche that the short wall of the projecting garage offers..

Your house is dominated by roofing material. You would just be adding more roof to the house. I don't find it attractive and I think it hides the charm.

Sorry, but I agree, I don't think a pergola or a porch would be a good idea at all. I do agree the landscaping is a problem, all one color, size and height :( You could create interest with a lovely front garden with a sitting area even, and draw the eye away from all that roof.

The other problem I see is that the front door seems to be hidden. If it could somehow be made to stand out, either with color or In beautiful wood as someone said, that would help. The small covered front door isn't a bad idea, but it would have to be small.

I like the idea of a wooden garage door as well. At least paint the garage door the same color as the body of the house. The white is so glaring.

One other thing - the upper dormers being painted all white make the house seem out of proportion. If they were painted the same color as the body of the house, with only the window trim white, they would be right-sized. Now, they look huge!

Best wishes. Keep us in the loop about what you do.

You could enhance the entrance and then put a roof just over the door.

I don't think you want to add any more roof area, but you should expose more of the house by removing the hedges in front. They are cutting off the house itself, thereby making the roof the most prominent feature, and it overpowers the house. Consider adding interest to your trim and using a shallow roof at the door like this garrison colonial home. The trim could really change up your facade, adding interest to the first floor to distract the eye from the big roof. I also think emmarene is spot on with the dormer color suggestion.

I kind of like emmarenes portrayal of a porch all across....it really does create a big change...it sort of makes the big roof look more right by adding some dimension with the angle...that being said it is sort of overkill as it is money spent on space that won't really be used...there are lots of opinions and suggestions here to open up possibilities to achieve the goal of give the house more personality...this is the best thing about Houzz...any suggestions can be used to spark new ideas...whether we agree or disagree the poster benefits from the thought process and can choose the things that appeal to them...