Is it time to replace the siding or roof, or were you thinking about painting the house? If not, put some effort into the landscaping. It looks very sparse currently.

We’re willing to change the siding etc and spend a solid budget on this. We bought it at auction and the interior is mostly pain update. Removing the red mulch is the first move.

By “classic”, do you mean MCM, or older homes? the homes on either side look MCM. Personally I like the look of mixed housing styles in a neighborhood built over various periods of time and architectural style.

IMO most of the house is not bad in a mixed neighborhood but that arched window does not work IMO. I love mixed architecture in an area it makes for a nicer neighborhood IMO . Landscaping is where you can really add some interest to your home. If this was a home you were plannong to build then the gables IMO are bad design but a huge expense to change.If the sing is being changed then get rid of the arched window and for sure the shutters on that window . BTW if you posted some idea books and not your ad it would help us understand your style too.

This first picture is a little too gingerbready, but the taupe with white is nice, and the front landscaping is nice as well. Notice also the garage door. Yours is very plain. Since you're redoing the siding, good opportunity to get rid of the half moon window like Patricia said.

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Darker taupe with cream.

Salem Avenue Renovation · More Info

This is a popular color combination - blue and white.

Craftsman Home Remodel · More Info

Sage and cream or white also popular:

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It’s a Midwest neighborhood and mostly MCM. A lot of ranch or smaller two story homes.

It's a cute house. The arched window, the dinky shutters, and the post lamp are the things that time capsule the exterior and make it look builder-grade. A tree or two in the front would add charm. I would also consider replacing the porch railing with a more interesting design and redoing the walkway, use stone and make it wider.

Change garage door, remove arched window, landscaping

It's the landscaping that needs to be addressed. Paint can't fix everything.

Agreed with many of these comments. If it were me, I would do everything I can to draw your eye AWAY from the soaring partial gables above the front door. A darker color on the body and eaves of the house would likely help that area to recede a bit, and doing something interesting on the gabled area above the window (ie cedar shakes, etc) might help in lowering the focal point of the house.

Remove the shutters and focus on landscaping. Put in a selection of flowering shrubs with different bloom times. Buy undyed mulch, not that red stuff. Plant a flowering tree in your yard.

Landscaping obviously (starting with big shade trees out by the street). The exterior of the house is not terrible. I would get rid of the half circle and get a rectangular transom the same height and width. Hardi plank instead of the vinyl will be a huge leap forward.