I wouldn't have even guessed that this is the front door! Could you put another picture from farther back, the road or the driveway? Do you want to build a porch or just add some decoration, landscaping ?

Yes, a new front door and a more "dramatic" landscape interest leading to the front. BRB

Yes on your front door as you should paint it a different color. Don't paint the garage door the same color. Yes shutters would help.

Ken

I also would have thought this was a back or side entry. You have garbage cans next to the front door? Remove everything that doesn't say front door. Then paint the front door so it is obviously the entry. Make the color distinctive.

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Furthermore, there are two doors in your photo. Is the main door the one with the windows? In most new houses the entry and porch are on the same level. If one has to step down from the entry there should be only one step to a stoop or deck. In the photo there appear to be two steps between the door and the stoop. This makes the entry dangerous. Build a series of small decks descending first from left to right then forward to meet up with the sidewalk. Switch the door to open to the opposite of its current direction, so people move to the right when they step out. Don't forget railing to prevent people from stepping off the wrong side.

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Remove trash cans, toys and the bench. You do not have a proper porch and just adding a bench to the landscaping isn't fooling anybody.

I would deepen the bed along the house, it should be at least five feet deep. Here is the link to the Landscaping Forum. Post there for landscaping ideas.

If you are going to keep the screen door paint it a color other than black or white.

Assuming you do not want to move the door! I agree with painting it a fun color that pops and possibly continuing the pop with shutters.

I would take out the plants that are there (save for later) and add a wooden porch/deck the entire length of the house. Paint the side door (to the garage?) the same or slightly darker gray as the siding so it disappears. Same for garage door (assuming it's white now).

On the wall between the windows and on the wall between the window and the corner of the house, hang large wall-mounted planters. Add a step to the ground no further left than the center between the windows, and then lay large, natural pavers to the street (assuming this isn't on a highway). Also a step off the right side to the side yard. Decorate your new porch with rockers, a side table, a kids picnic table with an umbrella --whatever you like-- to make it look more friendly and lived in (and thus welcoming). Add 2 large containers to the sides of each step (will it be two?) and plant with colorful welcoming and possibly topiaries in arrangement. This is not the place to go with puny plants. Create an entrance at these steps.

In front of the deck, plant a deep, wrap-around garden, that continues around the right side of the house. The step down would step through it. The back row by the deck should be some evergreen bushes (yew, boxwood, holly, pieris, rhododendron etc), in front of that flowering bushes that are easy to cut down (spirea, bridal veil, hydrangea, dwarf azalea-- not sure your zone but something like that). And a small flowering tree on the corner (dogwood, redbud, crepe myrtle, or japanese maple would work), and then flowers and grasses tucked into the front.

Plant a large tree island to the right of the house, maybe 20 feet away on the diagonal toward the street. Not sure what zone you are in to suggest trees, but choose something that is going to get taller than the house. A large christmas tree type tree would work here as well. (Not sure if they grow where you are)

If you want you can put the trash cans on the side of the garage on the concrete in a small enclosed area that matches the deck. If you do this make sure it's pretty enough and goes with the deck rather than detract from everything.

This brings your entrance forward and hopefully some balance.

These are ideas--don't do any of them without talking to a landscape professional who knows your area. Also keep in mind what else is going on in your neighborhood-- how have others dealt with this situation in your area?

Also the person is right about the swing of the door. I hope the light switches are on the right side inside the house.

Yes to paint garage door a darker gray. Reverse swing on door.

Also the front door is almost invisible. Maybe because of screen door. If you don't need it, ditch it. Paint front door a lively yellow or orange

"cost effective" is a tricky descriptor here. I like flyergal's new porch, or at the very least I'd like the sidewalk to be farther out from the wall, so I don't feel like I'm squeezed so close to the garage -- if you left a couple of feet of soil, then you could plant some things along the side of the house, a trellis up it, or a bench there with breathing space. Right now, doing anything with the side of the house is impossible.

Ryan, what is your budget for changes? Do you want to include landscaping in your budget? Do you need a storm door?

It definitely needs a porch. Then you can put the bench on the porch and move the trash cans and wagon and anything else that is an eyesore.

Looks like you have a large lot, it seems funny that the walkway was pushed right up against the side of the house. acm has a good idea - put some space that you can plant between the side of the house and the walkway. I like walkways to be at least 42 inches across (36 inches seems so narrow). Having a porch (either covered or open) across the front will help you tremendously. If you are on a budget, perhaps you can make the new walkway and open porch with pavers or stepping stones similar to this inspiration pic below (simple) or more extravagant with the top photo.

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An open patio - flagstone or paver or concrete or some other cohesive material will really define your front entry (along with a painted front door). I think you can turn this entry into a charming area with a good plan and landscaping.

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paint the front door, change the light fixtures like hanging lantern type, evergreens for winter and fall interest, light greenish yellowish colored ones are my favorite... bench can stay ..spray paint it white or the same color as your door and put under a tree, which you ll plant very far right corner of the picture, can be japanese maple or any kind dwarf.. hydrangeas or knock out roses ...