If this is an either/or situation for budget reasons, you might consider a single forward facing gable within the shed roof over the front entry door beneath the upstairs windows and barely wider than the width of the front entry door.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/181340322467983108/

Would likely use a pair of sturdy posts but not a double pair. Slats will just gather dust and spider webs -- not serving any real purpose.

Edit: If you can also increase both the depth of the front porch to be at least 6' and extend the front of the garage so that the front wall of the garage is even with the front porch posts, you could have the shed roof of the porch and the roof line of the garage be the same ... so ... you'd have a wider a "shed roof" with a forward facing gable near the middle of it.

I want to change my vote lol. I didn’t understand how the buttons worked and picked the wrong thing. I agree with your partner. 100+%. Without the gables it doesn’t look like the front of the house. It could just as easily be the side or back - it’s just too plain.

you don't think it makes the right side too busy? almost heavy?

gables make it look more traditional where no gables make it look a little more modern. I prefer the more modern look. gables=been there, done that

IMO the gables do nothing for the house unless you want to completely change the whole plan for the finishes on the house . You have a pretty modern house until you add the gables then it all changes so figure out what look do you want traditional or modern. If modern then IMO a nice MCM gaage door with matching front door would be great then some MCM landscaping to really play up that style

No gables. All other options look better than that one.

i agree with the no gables and love that garage door. does anyone havde suggestions with how to add some oomph (totally technical term) to the front without gables?

Ooooh I like these options!
No to moving the garage forward!
I love the horizontal wood on the first portico, they are a really nice design element!
I also like the gables! My house is from the 1950’s and is a bungalow with a very prominent (but bland)roof and there are at least 50 of the same model in our subdivision and there are a few where the roofline has been altered to add a peak or two for visual interest and they look fantastic!
I don’t like the heavy look of the black posts on the portico.