The budget is small but the front of the house needs a facelift. Any suggestions?

The suggestions included putting a wooden deck over the stair landing and extending it over to the right side of the house. Any comments or other suggestions?

First, I'd get rid of the shutters. They belong on the "colonial" style of house imo and this mid century ranch is not that. No cost to that one!

Three other low cost things -- an updated but mid-century-modern-ish storm door, maybe black? And then to go with it -- remove the scalloped border on the mailbox so it is plainer or replace it with something more streamlined, again going with black if the door is black. The third thing is similarly updating the house number plaque above the mailbox.

The black sculptural artwork on the front of the siding is a really great idea for this house. Something a bit larger in that spot would have more visual impact and curb appeal. These things don't need to be expensive; for example, Home Depot has a series of panels about 21 inches square for $35 each; here is one:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Matrix-0-3-in-x-22-8-in-x-1-9-ft-Reeds-Recycled-Plastic-Charcoal-Wall-Art-B-RE0606-CH/206789944

And this set of three is $82 with Houzz, tho it may not be flat enough for the location and its traffic:

3-Piece Metal Tube Wall Decor Set, Gray, 24" · More Info

https://www.houzz.com/product/70145795-gwg-outlet-metal-tube-wall-decor-set-of-3-162024w-midcentury-wall-accents

Finally, the front stairs and landing look a bit battered and should be fixed somehow. Removing the metal railing covering the stoop with decking (and new rail) is one option, possibly extending across the front to the driveway, as suggested earlier. Some people cover over old stoops with non-slip brick red tiles or other veneer adhered directly to the concrete. There are probably lots of other solutions, but whichever route you take, try to address the white concrete strip on the front living room wall under the brick work. It is kind of a highlight in the wrong spot. Covering it with the extended decking would be great, and then you could add plantings in front of it, but if that's too pricey for now, perhaps that concrete strip could be stained to blend in better with the wall covering above. Someone may have a better idea...

Thanks...where do you suggest to put those panels?

Take a picture of the entire front of the house and post it. Possibilities include removing the steps and facing them front and then bringing the walkway away from the house. Removing the shutters inside the large window would also help

Barbara, the rectangular panels are from the same HD vendor as the square panel with the reeds, just as an example, to show the scale, etc. It could go where the current artwork is -- to the right of the entrance. Probably not as a skirt for that ground level concrete strip!

Agree that the shutters which don't cover the entire window are distracting & I'd remove them too. Replace with white shutters that are the full size or other window coverings that will have a white colored, consistent dimension/line when seen from the curb. If funds are tight, check resale shops where long panel drapes typically sell for about $4 a panel.

Here is the front of the house. I think my relatives are looking to build some sort of a deck on the front so it would look better. Any thoughts? Here are the pictures of the whole front of the house like requested previously.

From my own experience, I would spend the extra $$ to build the flat deck surface with a material other than pressure treated wood, since a wood deck surface needs lots of upkeep over the years.

The big decision is if they want a roof over the deck or not -- or something in between, like a pergola?

Stairs coming out, instead of going against the house. That bush closes off the opening. Rip up the concrete path that runs along the house, you’ll have your path in the middle, coming from the street. Make beds of plants against the house in a curve shape. Add a planting bed on the other side too!

I don’t think you need a huge budget. Totally agree that landscaping and changing the walkways will go far. Try painting to freshen the exterior as well. A new patio or outdoor space would add an extra benefit to you.

Shutters have to go. I would remove the poorly placed tree. Here are a couple of different porches. Each would require a new walkway which I didn't install.

Grover's pics are great, as usual. I like the porch material. IMO wood decking in the front of the house looks like a " back" deck. I would avoid that.

Agree the brick porch looks so good!

The brick porch and walkway look great! Would also recommend you paint the cement below brick a deep red to blend with brick. The shutters inside the big window look really bad. They don't fit the window. Remove them and the sign in the window. I'm sorry to say to remove the tree but it is poorly placed.