Are you thinking major changes or small budget ones? I actually like the current colour of the house and the windows. But the door and porch are not modern.

Get new windows with no grids a new front door in a MCM style a new railing system with metal and glass and the landscaping . I am not surew aher ethe drivway is in realtion to the entry so maybe a bit of info there IMO a deck over the garage with te access from the left side but that might take some design work to get right IMO that tny deck with a long set of steps in not inviting at all.

@Trem Wills I am thinking small budget for now

@Trem Wills I am thinking of painting it white and adding touches of wood - like a fence or bamboo fence of some sort

I guess white with black windows would give you a more modern look then.

Don't spend money you don't have to. Looks like there are some wiring issues. I see dangling wires on the right side of the house.

I would change the front door. The current style is Victorian. You can get one with more glass, but the shaker door Celery. Visualization, Rendering images suggested is a much better fit.

I like navy on the siding, but white with black trim would be okay.

Add some foundation plantings on the right. Don't plant close to the house. Allow at least a foot when the plants are at maturity between the side of the house and the edge of the plant. Don't plant anything that will grow higher than the windows. Add an ornamental tree out in the yard.

Very cute house! A new MCM door would go a long way toward changing the feel of the house!

You just need a new front door and some better landscaping. Then your house will look updated. It's not going to look "modern" without major, unnecessary changes. Landscaping will really improve the curb appeal.

Just getting rid of the window grids and substituting a plain door will make it look less farmhouse, if that's what you want. But we don't really know what you mean by "more modern" or "update". I doubt if you mean Mid-Century Modern, or do you? Some examples of similar size houses that you like would help. Landscaping around the foundation and in front of the porch would add a lot to the appeal of the house.

It looks like your siding is painted faux logs. Changing that, removing window muntins, streamlining the porch posts/railing and a new front door and light fixture might make it more modern. Then you'll want to tackle the landscaping and walk.

Downtown Modern Cottage · More Info

Here is vision. It is rough. Squint your eyes and imagine trim and gutters black. Lower white on house, upper wood tones. Add landscaping and new front door. But no matter what you do map out a master plan and do it step by step as budget allows because this house will take a lot of money and sweat to do what you dream of doing.

I know you said you wanted something more modern, but let me play Devil's Advocate and suggest that this would be a tremendously cute house if you just played up the cottagey aspects it already has. If you just bought this house I think you should set aside money for unforeseen problems that will inevitably crop up later. The front door is the big problem no matter which way you go. I could imagine a different door of which you have a choice of styles, and lush foundation Landscaping with whatever fits your climate, such as hydrangeas, shrub roses, boxwood...

Completely agree with what @Nancy R Chicagoland 5 said that you might consider playing up the cute cottage aspects of the house rather than trying to force it to be more modern. I love the mockup that @Celery. Visualization, Rendering images did. Change out that front door for a cute cottage-y wooden door with grids that repeat your window grids. Love the dark color that Celery Girl proposed. You might also consider widening the walkway with edging it with bricks or stone. And add some more color with landscaping.

Deep blue is the hot new color for homes around here. My favorite combo is dark blue siding, white trim, and light mint green door. You are 2/3's of the way there already!

I'd also consider small adjustments to your porch. Take down the railings, extend the steps along the full length of the porch. Add a patio/sitting area at ground level.