I agree this needs arework but so does the house . I do not think the front door trim is the right choice and the siding and the garage door do not match to much going on with the exterior . The shutter do not belong on the multi window at all and the others are way too small. Then we need to know what style you like You have red brick on the house so IMO the red bricks are good choice but for sure need proper install you could do something like this using the idea for inspiration it tes the brick to the house but also gives anither element. For me the house nneds a nic sage green for siding and a wood garage door and the same wood for the front door both with glass in them and no fancy trim around the door that in not appropraite to the house Then do landscaping staerting with a walkway from the street and if a gravel driveway is what you love it needs to be contained so using red brick for that too

I agree with you. remove it all. create a landing level with the house floor and step down the left side to the driveway level, looks like you can dress up the meter with a barrier with house numbers mailbox and a light fixture. Remove the shutters and the trim around the door.

Steps are math. No matter how hard you try, you cannot make 2 + 2 = 5.

Start by measuring the vertical distance from the driveway to the current stoop. Decide on a reasonable rise/run ratio for the steps. Outdoor steps are more comfortable if the rise is on the short side. The rise on the current steps look reasonable, but I can't count how many there are. Three? Then figure out how much run is comfortable with that rise. That's going to be the minimum distance the steps have to take up. I'm going through all this because I don't think there is enough space to simply put steps straight off to the driveway. They are going to have to start straight out, then turn towards the driveway. Keep in mind that this is going to create a space that should be planted, so it shouldn't be too skimpy.