The current shutters are foolishly small. Remove and don’t replace.

I think the brick is great, and the arches add real interest to a low profile.

I would remove the shutters, they are too small to cover the windows.

Paint the 'porch' a light creamy color the color of the mortar in the bricks, like BM Elephant Tusk, including the window trim. Paint the Front door that rich red you have on the walls or SW Polished Mahogany

or even a Bronze brown tone in your bricks? Urbane Bronze?

I would paint the ceiling a light blue BM Sheer Bliss.

Replace the wall sconces with down lights that wash the brick walls... not something that shines up or out. A future project could be a long deck that runs the length of the house in front of each arch for a long dramatic approach from the left. Their are a lot of great Affordable exterior down light, this is an example of the wall washing light it gives off... you get the idea.

Forget removing the arches that will cosy you more than you cn imagine nd really not do much for the house . Remove the shutters , if you can remove the grids in the windows and then all the trim one color no grids . Then all the money yu saved can be used for landscaping that is what will bring this house to life . Think Italian villa type style position nice comfy chairs to look out from the arches it will look like all on purpose . I would do a front door with some glass and also the same color as the trim to keep the whole facade from looking too busy. . I love a nice sage green with brick for all the trim and the porch walls this is a color I love See how it looks when all the rest done in one color . BTW you never power wash brick unless a very gentle pressure

Chiming in with the others to say powerwash the brick and roof, leave the arches, remove shutters and window grids. Spend the budget on professional landscaping. Add lovely porch chairs, hanging plants, paint the front door a light turquoise.

North Asheville Custom Home · More Info

" I'm thinking either a rustic farmhouse look or cozy european cottage style if possible". There's not much of either in your house. Pick a style that works with your architecture. Get rid of the shutters. They are the wrong size for the house.

If you have mosquitoes, which most places do, you're better off screening in the existing porch than making one that is more open.

Some inspiration

Your home has a bit of a Mediterranean look to it with those arches. I know you said farmhouse or cozy European style are what you are looking for but since you don't have a budget for a major renovation I will suggest that you at least consider Mediterranean as there is a bit of that character already there.

Get estimates for removing the arches. You or the general contractor will probably need to hire a structural engineer since the arch supports are also supporting the roof. Once you have the estimates, you can decide what to do.

You have already gotten several very good ideas. A farmhouse or cottage style your house will never be. It is already a nice house, just needs a bit of refreshing, and definitely painting the door and doing a lot of landscaping.

Part of the problem with the house is the mix of styles that has been applied here and there.

I think you have to pick a lane. I decided to get rid of your colonial elements. See below.

Also there needs to be a significant investment in some landscaping.

Professionally power wash your house and roof. Making a mistake can be really bad (I.e. messing up the mortar). I agree with those that say to lean into the interesting arches. Paint your front door a pale blue, add colorful bushes (roses, rhododendrons, etc) and light colored porch furniture that people can see. Also, remove the shutters.

Removing the arches will be way more expensive than you think. I wouldn’t remove them for design purposes. Your house is more interesting because of them!

I would paint siding a light creamy color then darken the door, maybe with stained rubbed over the white paint or stripping and refinishing in a wood tone. Add beefer hardware in wrought iron look.

Remove shutters or replace with proper sized stained cedar.

you can spray those coach light to look like black metal or fit sheet metal around them to make that down light look. pottery sconce could be hung over them too.

I get how the arches block light and views from inside, but you could add a sundeck or patio in front of them with chairs to enjoy the view and maybe a chiminara and a couple big terra cotta planters.

I like the updates that BeverlyFLA suggested. But you may have some difficulty with the windows: if they are vinyl, it will be hard to paint; and some grids won't pop out because they are built in, and you would have to replace the whole window to get rid of them. But I think it would be worth the expense, and probably cost less than removing the structural brick arches.

I like the dark siding, trim, and doors. They look sophisticated and cohesive, while the two-tone effect that others have suggested looks more DIY, haphazard, and busy. The substantial door handles and downlights also add to the cozy, well designed and welcoming effect.

The landscape in BeverlyFLA's picture would be fairly inexpensive and easy to replicate: if you tell us where you live (what hardiness zone) and which direction your house faces, readers can suggest which plants to buy, and you can either have them installed or plant them yourselves. (You would need one small flowering tree, 6 medium sized bushes, about 9 small bushes, and to go around the existing tree, 7 larger perennials and 5 smaller ones).

You could experiment with furniture placement to get the best view out of the existing arches. For example, two chairs with a small table in between could have a view out two of the arches, or a loveseat could directly face one arch. Then as a finishing touch, add some landscape beds in the lines of sight from the sitting areas. I would keep the porch walls and furniture simple, comfortable, and all one color to make the porch feel larger.

Not what you want to hear but the arches are the most interesting thing about the house. Have you considered some type of skylight/solar tube in the porch roof to bring in more natural light?