I don't think you have a flat front house. I would remove the shutters, paint the door a lighter color and get rid of the old fashioned landscaping. The correct bush layout will visually correct the slightly off balance look

I would consider building a new porch awning. The one here looks awkward, like a bit of an afterthought and it doesn't have the most pleasing roof. Other than that, get beefier shutters, maybe do a bit of landscaping.

What would you do?

Paint the front door a bright color. And take a nice trip.

Re-landscape this spring with whatever cash I had left after the trip.

The house is already very attractive and doesn't need anything done to it, IMO. The brick, siding, roof and all the rest are just about ideal. You definitely don't need to "close the gap" between windows.

The thing that really is crying out for help is the landscaping. I see you're in a colder climate with a cold winter, but there are other plant choices. The shrubs pushed up against the house aren't doing anything for it. You don't have a foundation that need to be hidden. I suggest the following:

1) Remove all the junipers against the house

2) Lay out an ample front walk, possibly slate or flagstone (or stone or brick-trimmed concrete) from the front door to the street

3) Add some evergreen flowering shrubs (possibly rhododendrons) in beds near the front door but NOT against the house. Leave extra space for annuals or small perennials

4) Create an upgraded mailbox at the street, next to path. Possibly a brick pillar matching your house brick

It will make a huge difference and will perhaps allow you to see how attractive your house already is.

The house is very attractive. Your photo is showing the house amid a very drab winter landscape...that’s the problem. You have foundation plantings with no variety, no form nor color. Houzzer “qam999” is totally right....read the entire post. Spring is not far away. You have time to look at photos of many front yards and come up with a plan to add zone-specific shrubs and bulbs once the ground is workable.

Don't run the front porch the entire length of the house. You will darken the interior considerably. You may be unhappy about something, but your house looks fine. Improve the landscaping (clear front so that the windows are totally visible). Remove shutters -meh. Take the rest of your renovation budget and buy some good wine and relax in front of a fire.

I totally agree with the others. Remove the shutters, and get a professional landscape/hardscape plan. I would also change the roof of the porch.