The color of your front door really brings out the warmer tones of the brick, a garage door with a similar color would do the same. It seems like the current garage door color washes out the rest of your home, so whatever color you choose, pick one that complements the brick tones, instead of blending in with them. Good luck!

Thanks Triepke Door and Sash. Would you suggest painting the garage door the same colour as the front door or a different shade, pulled from the brick tones?

In my personal opinion I would say paint it the same color as front door, as a contractor I would say see if you can use software to give you a visual idea of what it would look like before you make the change.

I don't recommend painting the garage door the same color as the front door. It would draw attention to where you cars live and not where you do. As far as black door, if there is no direct sun exposure it's not a problem. If there is a direct sun hitting the door it would fade and if made of wood, it can also warp. Go for a color that is a little more alive, maybe not orange but something more inviting than black. Light blue, green, even brown.

DO NOT! paint your garage door the same color as your front door! Too many people make that mistake!! The front door of a home should be the focal point, not the garage. When some one is driving by your home their eyes should naturally gravitate toward the front door, not the garage. traditionally speaking the front door is where guests enter a home, therefore it is this area that should be warm, inviting and set the tone for invitation into your home.

With that said, do not neglect your garage. make sure your garage compliments your paint scheme, yet does not compete for the attention of your front door. Again let me say make sure your garage door does not compete for the attention of the front door! At our house or front door is a rich wood color, while or garage is the same color of our trim, which is a lighter color than the main body of the house. When driving down the street our front door stands out, while the garage looks great with the rest of the design.

If you dont like your brick change it! We hated our brick and put stone right over it, and picked out a nice color scheme for or siding. Our home is similar in style to yours so we went when a contemporary farm house look. Know the architecture of your house and pick materials that will compliment that architecture.

Your front porch is similar to ours as well. There is a product on the market where if your existing porch is smooth concrete, a thick tape is adhered to the existing concrete and a thin material similar to the consistency of paint (slightly thicker) is sprayed on. After the product has dried the tape is removed and it looks like a layed tile or stone. This looks great and is much cheaper than tearing out your patio!

Additionally, for the outside of your house I would consider shutters. Your roof is identical to ours. If you like black your roof has those hues and you could paint the shutters black. Generally the shutters are easier to touch up over the front door, so black on those shouldn't be a problem. :)

Really love the style of your house by the way. Classically beautiful!

This previous discussion on houzz may help you make a decision
https://www.houzz.com/discussions/new-house-yikes-how-can-we-update-the-exterior-dsvw-vd~259074

Thanks so much everyone - great suggestions and advice! Lots to consider. If we were to put shutters on the windows above the garage, does anyone have suggestions on the colors for the front and garage doors and shutters? The consensus seems to be make sure the 2 doors are different colors, that most like the existing color of the front door and that the garage door color might be "washing out" the rest of the house. If anyone has specific color suggestions I would certainly appreciate it.

Shutters don't belong on those style windows (because they are too wide). Here is a brief but excellent article on sizing of shutters with photos to show you why you shouldn't put up shutters. http://www.lifeofanarchitect.com/residential-architecture-101-shutters/

There are other ways to bring out the details of your lovely home :)

Wow - so much to learn! I was wary of the shutter suggestion, but am totally willing to consider anything. Great "shudder" read - thanks for sharing!

I'd leave the garage door - it is working nicely. Upgrade the size of the two lanterns there and at the front door. Put larger house numbers above the center of the garage door and upgrade your mailbox, moving it to the left, hanging on the garage wall. You could also consider installing a mail drop slot under the sidelight window or on the door to eliminate the mailbox. I understand brass is making a comeback, so consider that for all these new upgrades. I agree that the white framing around the door and sidelight are not working and should match the door. Brick columns are not working either. White ones to match the bay window will do the trick. If possible, I'd see if simply using one corner column would support the porch roof. The placement of that second one in the middle is awkward and blocking your house's facade. Here's one of my favorite Houzz gardens. I like the loose open structure of it and all the blooms.

You mentioned your front porch. Here is a picture of my front porch that I mentioned in a previous post. Also here are our shutters. We live in the mountains and went with earthy tones. Also I know you like black, we do too, however instead of overwhelming the front with such a dark color we just did our side lights black and are very happy. Hope this helps!

The shutters by the way are a rust color, that we drew out of our plants out front. They compliment each other quite nicely.

I like the porch - thanks for sharing! We're going to look into available products here and see if it will withstand our northern climate. Going to focus on new lighting, painting the door outline, the gardens and making the porch a more inviting area. We aren't going to tackle the brick columns right now, but maybe in the future.

any suggestions on lighting would be great. Not big on the brass look, but perhaps a brown/bronze would look nice? Assuming bigger on either side of the garage and a smaller one by the front door, but same color as the garage one's?

this pic may help for reference of landscaping ,colours and shutters which could be black hinged (shutter dogs)
Black garage door
Add a railing to the porch
Paint the door The colour closest to the darkest red of the brick
(all the above stated for a quick fix)
all the trim could remain light except around the front door.
that could be painted out
see ref pic

Tara
I like the existing color of your front door, it compliments the brick very well. The white trim doesn't do your home justice though. If it were me I would consider painting the white trim around your door black (frame and all). Additionally, and more critical to the overall design look, I would paint the trim of your windows (currently white) black, to tie them in with the door and the brick. Paint both upper windows and the lower bay window.

When we were picking a color for our side lights we originally chose black, but found once it was up it was way too dark and harsh. Therefore we went with a color called "Iron Ore" that was in between gray and black. The "off black" color was much more subtle yet still dramatic and less common.

Go to Pella Windows and doors, and they have some great examples of dark window trims.

Also, I agree a black or a bronze fixture would look really nice. Just be mindful of the size of the fixture. Don't pick a fixture that is too large and looks out of proportion with your house. :)

I'll try again to show the before and after pics (similar to yr house)
for inspiration/ ideas

Hard to believe this is the same house - thanks Anne! Great ideas / inspiration with these photos. Now just to get the time to start making decisions and implementing :)

Great example of dark framed windows and doors.

Here are a few more... I especially like the picture with the dark garage trim with the muted garage door color. I could definitely see something like this on your house.

And another...haha

Here are some lighting examples that might look nice. Not sure if your style is more traditional, contemporary or rustic so here are several styles.

I think round would look best to break up the squares of the garage and windows. Check out lampsplus.com they've got plenty of attractive choices!