the service door does make bringing in groceries much easier, do you not use it that way?

I would not want to carry heavy or multiple bags to the front door and into the kitchen. If it were my house and I were going to renovate the kitchen, I would add a door from the garage into the kitchen. Then getting rid of the front facing door would make sense. I would not want contractors coming in and out of the front door as they remove cabinets, flooring, etc. and then coming in with all their supplies and tools. Even if they try their best to be clean and not bump anything, it would be a risky choice.

a future kitchen remodel (which will be a question for another day!)

That should be the question for today. Let those plans drive the exterior.

The way to get to that door is just weird. Why are there no steps where the blue barrel is located? Looks like you have to walk to the steps further down the driveway then walk slanted on the flagstone. Makes no sense. That whole area (including to the front door) needs to be level for safety. I would keep that door and add a door from the garage before doing any outside renovations. Start with a CKD to get kitchen layout ideas. I did a walk renovation last year that was not as extensive as yours and it cost thousands so I would be absolutely sure you have good plans ahead of any work starting.

I actually added a side door but had more space both inside and out than you do. My door from the garage is at right angles to the side door. We use both exclusively rarely the front door.

I would definitely keep it.

Much prefer that entrance over a formal entrance.

replacing the front walkway or an overhaul to the front curb appeal?

Is this just a traditional neighborhood where everyone conforms or are you able to make it a statement? Is this a professional design or a DIY?

If you live in New England none of your friends will know how to get into the house. Only salespeople and proselytizers come to the front door.

It might be against local Fire Code to remove an exit door. I would personally never remove an exit door from the house but I live in California.... earthquake and fire country.

I would leave the door. I had a similar one years ago, and that door was used more than any other.

Try taping it closed, don' t use it for a month. Winter would be a better test. I say you will find it's a big deal to only have a front door for all the reasons already mentioned.

Is that the only other door for egress or is there a door you use all the time from the garge ?> You need to exit doors at lest that is code where I live. So the new walkway will take you into the entry to your home then where is the kitchen going to be . IMO an entry from the garage into the new kichen is what should be being planned

The kitchen door is meant for egress to code as Patricia mentioned but that is California's code. Not sure what your state code is.

We suggest to leave it as is and perhaps consider steps there to increase accessibility.

Giving up of a very convenient door would not be my choice. It really doesn’t take that much room and a kitchen designer could find ways to make up for the space lost.

If you keep the door, maybe do something like this, but with pathway from the sidewalk which avoids steps and brings people directly to your front door vs coming up the driveway.

Maybe see what neighbours have done if there are homes that are similar, or consult with a landscape designer.

I am going to side with the rest - keep the kitchen door.

The walkway you currently have looks like Vermont Purple Red and Green slate. If you are in the PA area and don't have any plans for re-using the slate I could use it and would be willing to pay you something for the pieces. You can private message me on Houzz.

If you put your cars in the garage, you could put a pass through door into the kitchen from the garage. It looks like the wall next to the kitchen door would work. If you chose to close off that door, it could go into a cabinet with doors on each side. It certainly would be easier than making multiple trips in the rain.

Thank you, everyone, for your advice! I wanted to give a little more info based on many great ideas. Many of you suggested we should prioritize creating access from the garage to the house, but because the garage is between the basement and first floor we would have to add steps in the garage and lose a bay in order to do that. You can see from the picture of our kitchen that it is too small to lose space in the interior.

Also, I mentioned a kitchen renovation. We hope to remove a wall between our dining room (at the front of the house, to the right as you walk in the front door) and kitchen, making a much larger kitchen. With that done, walking through the front door with groceries won't be a problem. It's not a very big house. I added a rough sketch of that renovation an a photo facing the dining room/front entrance.

I will check building codes. Great point. We do have another entrance in the back of the house. Most houses in our neighborhood were built in the late 30s and there are many different styles, quite a few with only a front door (see two attached pictures, both do not have garage access).

The landscaping plan was done by a professional. The kitchen sketch is something I drew up online. We will be using a professional kitchen designer.

I appreciate all of your comments! Thanks again!

Both of those houses have garage access most likely. I would remove the glass storm door from the side door and paint it the house yellow to blend in.

The front door entry is beautiful, it just needs flowering shrubs on each side of the porch to make it even more of a focal point. Use house numbers at the front door, not the side door.

Rough sketch adding yellow door, flowers, large numbers:

If you must keep the side storm door then paint it yellow as well.

I would consider moving the refrigerator and adding window in the dining.

I dislike the idea of two doors facing the front of the house -- it's unnecessary and confusing for guests. Doors are less energy-efficient than windows, and every door is one more thing you can forget to lock.

However you remodel the indoors, you would still have to carry groceries etc. from the garage to the front door in all weathers and track in whatever you've walked through. I would keep the second door or open a way in from the garage.