Embracing simplicity, handiwork, and natural materials, Craftsman homes are cozy, often with shingle siding and stone details. Open porches with overhanging beams and rafters are common to Craftsman homes, as are projecting eaves and a low-pitched gable roof. Not sure you are going to get craftsman

The only "updating " ( whatever that is ) would be to paint the garage door the color of the siding & nicer landscaping & hardscape ( a walkway to the front door apart from the driveway).

Use this home as inspiration and change the look of your home. You can never get a true "craftsman" look, but you could get some touches. Natural colors such as these go a long way. Wood garage doors would be beautiful. All this depends on your budget of course.

This is the type of posts and tapered columns typical of Craftsman look. also decorating the porch with "homey" accents and the walkways would help the look as well. The front sides of the porch could be faced with stone as well.

Yes to painting your garage door, possibly the fascia trim color? Plus your front door looks way to dark, look at your photo as it looks like a black hole. Some landscaping could help.

Ken

Paint beside garage the color of home. Lighting at garage & porch. Paint downspouts the same as house.

I'm not sure of the shutters, I think NOT.

Good observation happyleg. Yes, the shutters could come off.

Thanks for all of the great ideas and suggestions. Here is a photo taken after I painted the columns (they originally were green with white inset panels). The shutters were also green so I removed and painted them in the same brown as the columns. I ended up putting them back up as it felt a bit bland without them. Perhaps I need a bit more substantial window trim?
I love the suggestion of a pathway to the front door aside from the garage. We are in Canada so all of my perennials are still underground. This pic was taken in the fall so it gives a better idea of the landscaping but any suggestions on how to improve it are also most welcome.
Thanks for all of the advice so far.

Here is another pic from today showing the existing landscaping and better lighting.

I think your home is really nice! Have you considered a new garage door with windows?

Wider window trim upstairs to match the lower windows would help more than shutters for the craftsman feeling.

I would take the shutters back off, look at painting the siding a darker more earthy color (medium taupe tone) and either replace the garage door with a wooden one or paint it to match the siding. More substantial posts as mentioned earlier would also help. You can probably give it a little bit of "craftsman" feel but it's not a craftsman house so you're somewhat limited. If you're interested in seeing some virtual makeovers check out my web site, Creative Visual Concepts.