Are you able to paint the lower windows? I would consider painting them the color of the shutters. The white really pops next to the brick and I don’t think you want to draw the eye to them. I would also consider painting the garage the same for same reason. With the bright white, it’s a focal point of the house and I don’t think it should be.

For the front door, I would go with a pop of color. I would bring a picture of the shutter color/house color/brick to paint store and just look at some shades of red, greens and blues to see what makes it pop while still complimenting to other colors. To the right of the front door on the brick, consider adding attractive, contemporary address numbers and a ceramic pot with a lemon cypress or some slender plant/tree. The pot could also add a pop of color and tie in or contrast with color of front door.

Where the rock garden is, I would pour some concrete pads that are the full width of that area ...anything to add presence and draw the eye to the entry. You could add some groundcover that can tolerate being walked on (check out “steppable” groundcover) between the pads for a modern, yet welcoming look.

In front of house (under windows), I would carve out a garden bed...nothing harsh and square but with some curves to it. Add plants with varying heights and architectural interest.

Not my greatest drawing but you get the idea :)

I like weatmanmarine's ideas except I'd put something taller between the windows in front to break up that expanse of grey and brick. I do like the gray and brick but your house is very wide. I'm not suggesting a full grown tree but a shrub or vine. Perhaps a clematis on a trellis or a Japanese maple.

The house is what we would call "top heavy" given the brick level. Unite the brick and upper colors (i.e. paint the brick also on garage wall) and then landscape in soft curves as some have recommended wisely here. I might also address those small windows in bottom level - they just look odd...any suggestions, Houzzers?

Painting the trim of the lower windows to match the shutters (not 'shudders'!!) would help a lot to make them less prominent. Otherwise, all this house needs is some proper landscaping to soften, anchor it and provide context.

The rocked area next to the drive is insufficiently sized to become a patio. And most folk do not like being on display when they are lounging on the patio or entertaining friends so a front yard patio that close to the entry, drive and (assuming) street is unlikely to be used much even if it were sufficiently roomy. Find another use for this area and another location for outdoor entertaining.

Doug's mock ups give you an indication of what landscaping could do. Find and hire a designer to help you with a good layout/space utilization of the property and plant selection suited to your locale.

There's lots to like about Dig Doug's design. The curved extension of the entrance patio says clearly "Welcome - this is the front door", as do the light fixture, bench, and large pot of tall grasses/flowers near the front door.

The interlock driveway is beautiful but if your budget doesn't stretch that far, still do the curved extension to the entrance.

I'd add large house numbers on the section of brick between the front door and the garage door. Again, it identifies the front door clearly.

I'd tweak his design a bit by increasing the height of the shrubs so that, at maturity, evergreen shrubs cover the line between the siding and the brick.

Paint your garage door a darker color, a warm grey-beige that makes it blend more into the brick color.

Some people do paint their siding. Have you looked into that? And I removed your shutters.

Much better without the shutters.^^

Wow.. thank you all! I'm so excited to have so many ideas!

We have a beautiful backyard and can add the patio there for sure. It's just an awkward space in front of the door because of the window. With the overhang, I can't get anything to grow there that isn't potted. I love the curve of the concrete/bricks there that Dig Doug added.

We currently have a (baby) spruce to the left of the house and an oakleaf hydrangea between the windows. So I may need to move the spruce and add a tree more in front of the house... I'm wishing it was spring and I could get started now!

I’d get rid of the shutters. They dont serve any purpose. Than I would paint the house (brick, garage and siding) all one color. And of course, top it off with landscaping. I’d see if you can find an ap. - I think bear has one. To let you see what different colors would look like. I’d try light grey, dark grey, and maybe even charcoal. Shoot, maybe even try a dark dark blue.

I definitely agree on the No Patio by the Driveway. Not a good spot for one. I think the less you call attention to that area, the better. If you build a new swooped bed curving toward the front of the house, you can plant something there to block the view of the area.

The gravel that is there now, while not totally attractive, is functional. I don't really care for the foot-square pads set in it. They are not necessary nor are they useful.

Shutters off the windows. Don't paint anything but the garage door (paint it the same as the siding so it's less prominent). Work with a garden center to do beautiful landscaping with some of the plans here.

You have gotten some great ideas! If/when the budget allows I would replace the faux Victorian with something more appropriate .

I shuddered at the shutters and would remove them. Landscaping and painting the lower windows and garage door to recede will help a lot.

Replacing the broken drive will be a great improvement. As mentioned above you should extend the paving to the house and I like the way it is curved off in the images above.

If you want to change anything in paint color the easiest would be to paint the garage door, as well a the trim around it, to the color of the roof or the current front door color.

As to the front door I think the current dark color is lost against the dark brick background. White would stand out better. You could also use a mid tone accent color.

Painting the lower windows in the same dark shade would diminish their distraction but they really do not bother me. Also, if they are vinyl it is not good to paint them dark.

I don't hate the shutters. They are not really meant to be on double windows but if you like them keep them.

The braces under the upper floor would stand out better painted a much lighter color.

When I look at your surroundings and considering the room you have I think it would be nice to continue the wooded look.

Distances are misleading in photographs but it looks like you have a deep lawn. What is the distance from street to house?

I suggest narrow trunk trees planted closer to the street. Not to hide the house but so the house can be viewed in the distance. I found a few images but I am not entirely happy with any of them.

If this idea appeals to you I suggest you hire a designer to help you site the trees.

You can pay for the design only and install the plants yourself.

I am not professional obviously so these are purely based on my own aesthetics. I just think the front landscaping should flow with the overall picture.

I like to have the line of sight open to the front door. That means keeping shrubbery and trees from blocking the view.

I made a crude image showing a darkened garage door and one darkened lower window. The color is too dark but is meant to show what it might look like.

The goal is to diminish the significance of the wide garage door and focus the eye to the front door. Try to imagine the door in white or even the light gray of the siding.

Since you have the luxury of room I'd like to see a large specimen plant on the left side.

I

I saw you were thinking about stamped concrete. I recently replaced the driveway with stamped concrete in a slate texture with paver like edging. colored grey and tan, it is similar to natural stone. we sealed it with a matte water based sealer to have the natural look. we also installed radiant heating embedded in the concrete. I really love that. No more shoveling. No more falling on the ice. And it's so much less expensive to run than everyone thought, and much less than the cost of the driveway. I'm glad I did both the radiant heat and stamping.

KL, care to share a photo?