I think a nice railing/spindles would look nice

Short term -- this year, landscaping. Get some trees and other started now.

Longer term, consider redoing the porch. It looks like a poorly done addition.

Can you paint the 2nd floor? It would look better less white.

I agree with PPF, the roofline of the porch appears to be nearly flat and boring. Maybe add some cool fun architectural porch columns along with landscaping after the porch redo.

Even some interest on the main floor roof- so it’s not just a flat run.

I would paint the brick a darker ...less “cement” shade....as well as piers wash and stain the concrete floor and walkway so they look fresh and clean...beef up the columns and roof trim on the porch ....to match the size and scale of the porch....another thing that feels wrong is that the porch and the grass are at the same level...this is why a railing is a good idea ...another way to add to the separation is to create a flower bed in front..or a little hedge of shrubs ....dont plant anything tall in that area close to the house....if you like flowers..pots or planters would allow you to plant annuals for a flower show all summer

Pressure wash

Re-doing the walk and slab as Doug suggests is beautiful...But...

Would need a budget of thousands

My suggestions can be implemented over time.

Before doing any landscaping, examine if there are drainage issues, and be sure to fix those first. consider raising the grade to meet the stoop level so there is neither a step or the appearance of an unfinished grade. Bringing up the grade would make things looks better.

If you can't expand the width of the walk to match the porch opening, at least widen it with an 8" brick or paver strip down each side. And create an expanded apron connecting it to the porch.

I wouldn't confine the porch with plantings, but some strategically located to coordinate with the posts would be fine. Trees off of the corners would help the house seem integrated with the surroundings.