"Looking for some easy fixes to modernize, and personalize, our exterior."

Not easy and not inexpensive in my opinin. What sort of budget are you looking at? What area of the country? Is there a HOA dictating what the exterior finishes need to be?

You already have a lot going for you there. I'd just tweak and tune up....no need to go crazy with $$$$.

My easy fix would be to paint the entire garage door and gable area a darker color, perhaps the taupe that is the darker of the 2 brick tones. This would help it recede and be less prominent. I'd paint downspouts to blend with brick as much as possible for the same reasons. I'd also consider painting the front door a more saturated and vibrant tone.

After that, attention to landscaping, including layers from trees, to large shrubs, to small shrubs, to groundcover. Lawn, while useful and attractive in some cases. can also look very bland, so if you don't need the lawn for games or foot traffic, you might want to consider reducing or eliminating it and replacing it with attractive groundcovers.

In the midwest. There is an HOA but it's not super strict on exterior finishes. Within reason.

We are realistic that it won't be done at once. But we would rather start conceptualizing and prioritizing the projects. Trying to keep the big picture in mind as we start knocking out the smaller items. Hoping to do at least the front door and/or garage door this summer.

Thanks! I like the idea of painting the downspouts! I'm curious what color you would suggest as a more saturated and vibrant tone?

I would never buy a house if I didn't like the front or it could not be easily fixed (new shutters or paint).

Can you add windows on the gable section above the garage door to break up all that solid space?

I would replace the existing siding on the gable end above the garage door with a shingle style of siding. It would give it texture and break up the linear pattern. I like the idea of adding a window, even if it is a false front. And paint it a darker color than the garage door.

Replace the top row of the garage door with a section that has windows (lights) in it.

The pergola is a great idea as well.

Thin out the tree in front. It will make it look bigger and allow it to grow better as well.

Better landscaping is needed. You need more varied height. And COLOR.

Replace the lights on the sides of the garage door with something makes a statement. Something big and bold.

You have a lot of vertical height to the front of your home. You need more horizontal width to give it some base. Landscaping can help with that. Painting the lower portions of your columns, your garage door, etc. a darker color will help ground your house.

Anglophilia, your advice(?) is not helpful. Are you suggesting she sell her house?

Agree with most of the great comments above. Definitely paint the garage door darker/change siding to make them recede visually. Adding a tier of windows to the garage door will help, too. The pergola would be a great idea to break up that huge expanse above the garage.