Don't paint it. Colorful large pot of flowers under the light fixture, bright cherry rug and a larger more dramatic light will do it.

I agree with the previous posts...

Even I would agree with the others and say do not paint, which is rare for me as I am not a fan of the look of wood grain.

Thanks everybody; hubby will love that you all said not to paint the door. I, however, would like a brighter, more cheerful entry. Never realized how tiny my light was until this pic - will definitely change that! Thanks for your suggestions!

I would even consider bringing the area with the clay jug and purple flowers into the "pop". I would make that a landscape feature with brighter plantings/decor. I think you can find your pop without paint!

No not paint the door. I like it. Just add a pot of flowers and a new light.

What about something like this? http://louisehilldesign.com/images/louise_hill_design_architecture_163_2.jpg

@curlycook: I am adding pic of the front from further away. Clay pot in front of pillar is ficus with flowers planted as filler in pot, they just haven't gotten going yet. @Lindsey: I LOVE that door color! Thinking about painting shutters blue too! Thanks everybody - great feedback!

Ejinsa, I see how dark the doorway looks from further away, so I understand what you are trying to achieve. I think the two trees nestled into the nooks of your home might need to go. They seem to be blocking windows, are taller than the roof, and seem to break up a very attractive home's curb appeal. I wonder if their removal would feature the entry and roofline more. I think your home is lovely and am just offering a possibility though. I realize you we're merely asking for a paint suggestion!

@curlycook: the trees do indeed shade the space however, the trees/shade are more valuable than the aesthetics out here in hot west TX. so paint & plants/flowers, all heat/drought tolerant of course, will have to do... unfortunately :-/ I'm attaching a couple more pix with an old shutter I painted blue & I'm thinking it might be to bright. Any thoughts???

What about painting the area above the door in a bright color? It looks to be about 8 inches by 30 inches. I'd leave a little border (same color as currently) but then a broad swatch of red, purple or blue.

Why not paint the trim around the door in a bright colour , purple, red ? And add a large pot with similar colours in it.
Purple trim you could go with a purple grass plant, with yellow million bells and lots of green foliage, fern and purple potato vines. For red go for flowers in all different shade of red, if in shade, bigonia's would be beautiful.

Yes, the shutter is too bright. Always grey down the colors for exterior. Find a paint that color that is similar, but deeper and a touch grey to take the edge off of it. I disagree with the others. i say paint the door, definitely. I would paint the door a darker shade of whatever you are painting your shutters, unless the shutters are black.

I do like black or a black green color for the shutters. Then go with a high gloss reddish orange on the door, like Benjamin Moore #2171-20. The high gloss fades after a couple of weeks to a semigloss. I just used it on a front door and it is wonderful. Use planters in the same bright color as the front door to the right and left with tall green Italian-Cypress-like plant framing the opening. I'd say no to the bird bath also.

I would also hang something on the wall to the right of the door, like a 3-dimensional stone plague, or a large tin cutout from Haiti, They make them from old oil drams. They are inexpressive and large scale.

Restain to an espresso and apply a high gloss clear coat

I don't recommend hanging anything in that tight of a space, when several people are together at the door waiting to enter it would be in the way and just make the entrance look crowded. A beautiful door and a large pot of colorful flowers is all you need...less is more.