To start do not have a walkway that goes to the garage , of course people think that is the front door it has the most presence IMO the arbor calls way too much attention to that door and IMO is too heavy looking too. No shutters are needed and the less attention you bring to that door the better . I would do anew front door that does not look like another set of windows . What are there no grids in th windows on the left? I would remove the 2 round shrubs from either side of the entry and replace those with big black planters filled to overflowing with seasonal plants that will draw attention to your front door . Then have the front door be a differnt color , all of those ideas will make your entry be obvious . Is the siding in bad shape so it needs painting? I don't dislkke the color it is

Agree with Patricia except I would leave the shutters on, unless they're not sized correctly for the windows. If you really need to paint or are tired of the color, go lighter. This style of house looks good white or off white. With this background your front door can be many different colors - what color do you like, or use inside?

Inspired Life project · More Info

I can't figure out which is your front door. I'd replace the two rounded bushes on either side of the steps with something bigger, more different. Cement lions or big urns. You need to get the right scale.

Then put a big welcome mat under the right door.

Howard Roberts · More Info

I can see why you would want a walkway to the garage, but removing the arbor as suggested would help tremendously. I love the black door posted above. I see you have planters flanking the door but they are just not visible. Some kind of different colorful bushes would help the denote the front door. I think the house color is fine.

An easy fix to make your front door prominent: make the garage door UNprominent, like Patricia says. Remove that fancy sidewalk to the garage, remove the pergola.

If you need to access that garage door, make a small, informal walkway to it from the front door. Like this maybe.

I see no need to remove a fully functional sidewalk, that is very well done. I also like the shutters. I would however, remove the arbor, although, its very pretty, it is calling too much attention to a garage door, and confuses guests. I would also remove those round balls by the front entry, and put large planters there with loads of plants in them. If you dont want to remove the arbor, then put a fence across there with a gate. You want that garage entry way to fade out of sight, and the house entry to be very noticable, and inviting.

Thank you both for such great comments ! i love all the ideas you have stated and funny that Patricia you mentioned removing the round bushes! i hate those and maybe thats why haha! i would love to change front door but not an option now. the pic prob doesnt show well that the 2 windows next to front door are actually faux shutters and painted black . im also wondering if we should have to full posts on porch railing leading to the front door? we didnt build this home so not sure what artichect was thinking ?

kandrewspa i love the pic you posted its exactly what i envisioned for color! would you know what paint color the house is?

cant thank you both enough for all your help !

thank you all for all your info!

cat___ky do you have a pic of a fence and gate for arbor? if remove the arbor , im worried that the garage just stick out and take away from main house

Beverly , love the pics you posted ! i think white would be best color !

I like the pergola, I wouldn't remove it. I think by putting some bigger item (planters, sculptures) flanking the door, it will be more obvious. If possible, you could change your path so that the brick in front of the garage continues along the path to the door, instead of being closer to the garage.

Sigrid, you are so right! i never noticed it wasnt leading to the front …weird they didnt do that originally . thanks for your input! i