Are you planning on painting or just adding the shutters? I think the shutters is a good idea. Just be sure the shutters are the proper size - they should look like they could cover the window in a storm. It's hard to tell...is the color now a pale yellow?

Right now, I see yellow body of the house, red front door and white storm door, orange/brown roof and white garage door. Not sure of the color of the trim?? So first, these windows are not conducive for shutters. So no shutters. Second, need to make the overall color scheme more cohesive. You don't have many options with your roof color, unless you paint the yellow to a brown or gray color. I don't think that is in the budget, so. I might paint the garage door a cedar wood look, or even get a new door that is cedar with some windows and character. The house needs some "character". Then paint the front door the same as the garage door color. Then, the landscaping needs to be beefed up considerably. Let me find some inspirational photos! bbl

I would do a curved bed for flowers, low shrubs along the right side of the driveway and curve that into a bed that extends across the porch and front of the house. The driveway is a big block of gray and straight lines. That would help break that up. Perhaps a little split rail fence in wood from the driveway along the walk to the front porch would give some texture as well. Do any of those ideas appeal?

I did this little "mock up" for you just to give you an idea of what a garage door in redwood or cedar, front door, arbor, some new lighting in copper and some "plant materials" would do to distract from the house per se but enhance the overall curb appeal. It is far from perfect, but will give you a bit of a "visual" aid.

mock ups · More Info

I couldn't find a garage door that would work so I had to cut and paste individual front doors onto the garage door and the arbor isn't scaled right, so don't focus on the little details, but rather on the "concept" of using other materials and colors for your other large blocks of color on your home to enhance your curb appeal.

Notice I like the idea of small windows at the top of the garage door and matching on the front door. This brings continuity of design to your front façade. You can choose any style you want, but some form of windows will work, although I think that longer narrow window works well with your home.

I would paint the house, but if you don't want to do that I'd add shutters and landscaping. If you plan to use a storm door, match the front door and storm door.

I have a light color yellow siding with white trim. I just started with my garage door. Vinyl stickers, faux windows and hinges, still working on divider line down middle with faux handles, thus making carriage doors. Barn light was under $100 . I also intend to do a thin black line around edge of with downs for some pop. May do top rail of porch black leaving the rest white. Door can stay red.

scgrdnr51's ideas · More Info

Flo - Thanks for the ideas! I really like the wood look but my wife is not a fan of the wood, so ultimately she'll win that battle.

Emma - Thanks Emma! Do you think shutters on the 2nd level but not on the first would look ok or not?

Beverly - Thanks for the design! Do you think all the gray would look good with the white trim? Also, if you were to paint the house, what color would you do?

SCG - I'll stay up to date on your progress!

OK, that's ok, we just throw ideas out and see what folks prefer. I think I would also paint the house, but if that isn't in the budget then I would work with the landscaping as it would give you the most "look" for the buck. Check around on Houzz for "exteriors" for 2 story, yellow houses and you can start an ideabook that will help you define what you both like best. Take your time so you don't do something that you realize later was done in haste. "haste makes waste" right?! btw sorry but no stickers on the front of the garage doors.