I love a front porch added to a garrison style house, but you may not have room

Agree on shutters. Dark color preferably. Also two taller hedge-type plants flanking the entry in a formal way and a cascade of medium to small plants.

One more thing - am AWESOME arbor at the outer gate, planted with gorgeous flowering vines, would make this house even more lovely.

I would first make sure the walkway from below up to the front door is a gradual climb rather than a steep trek. Some handrails could be added at several spots to assist your guests. Low-growing shrubs along the walkway will keep the view of the house more open from below, and some slightly taller evergreens outside each turn in the path will frame the house nicely without obscuring it.

Some shutters, agree with landscaping suggestions. Also maybe paint the front door a bold or fun color. Instead of front porch, maybe do a portico over the front door.

Agree with JudyG about adding the right sized shutters. Here are a couple of short articles showing do's and don'ts of shutter sizing and locations;

http://www.oldhouseguy.com/all-about-shutters/

https://www.lifeofanarchitect.com/residential-architecture-101-shutters/

Insp pic of properly sized shutters below. It makes a difference when they look functional, even if they aren't functional.

The shrubs under the windows need to be pruned so that their tops are a foot below the window sills. The two tall shrubs that flank the top of the stairs need to be pruned way back: I'd take some bright blue painter tape and mark them at 3 foot height, then go down the stairs and take a look. Adjust height so they look good, they may need to be a bit shorter or taller. Their sides should be pruned so the branches are a foot away from the railing.

Those chrysanthemums will be gorgeous.

Please post an update when you are ready after painting.

Denita and I share the same opinion on shutters (as we cross paths on curb appeal dilemmas often). Either or…either properly sized/hung shutters or have none at all.

Thanks everyone. We will do black shutters and now contemplating new windows - maybe black ones

I would remove the shrubs on each side of the door. It will make the entrance seem more roomy.

If you add black shutters I would make the door a different color. Medium gray or white if you like neutrals.

I've seen a lot of Garrison Colonials on Design Dilemma. It is possible to add a roof only type portico.

Here is one on a Garrison. It would be nice if you could hire a good designer to add to the landscape as it is now. I like the naturalized setting. It looks like you have a lot of shade. If that is the case I suggest adding plants with variegated foliage and even gray foliage. They show up better in decreased light.

I think your home would look gorgeous in a purple blue colour. Bigger steps and landscaping. Love the arbor in below pic

Thank you for everyone's suggestions. We painted the house white and will add black raised panel shutters. We will eventually add a portico and tame the landscape. Now we are thinking of replacing the windows with black four-paned windows. Thoughts? Thanks! :)

Photo from same camera location as the original post?

different camera angle

Agree with benjesbride -- definitely needs a front porch at least 6' deep across the front.

Add some wider trim boards around your upstairs windows and then have the sloped porch roof begin just below the trim boards, keeping the ceiling of the porch the same height or above the height of the existing flat stoop cover.

JBudget and building code permitting: just in front of -- below -- that large rock left of the curve of your front steps, if you could add another retaining wall there and level up more of your front yard, do.

Then add another retaining wall at/near the bottom of the steps (left of tree in foreground) to add another level area -- perhaps for a small flower garden w/stepping stone path around it and bird bath in it.

Plant a privacy hedge above and/or below that bottom retaining wall -- shrubs that look good year round and grow well in your planting zone..

I meant: would you please post a new photo from the same camera location as the original post?

The trim all around the small windows next to your front door should be painted white, too. It will make the front door look more substantial (vs a casement door with a metal frame)

I would not bother getting new black windows unless you really need new windows. You might be better to invest your money on quality wood shutters.