This shows the house in the morning shade
It does get full afternoon sun

If you are looking for your home to be more distinctive, then the two things that would give an immediate change are 1) change your shutters and 2) landscaping along with a paint color change.

Your shutters are not sized appropriately for the windows (too small). Here is a brief article with photos on proper sizing and appearance of shutters.
http://www.lifeofanarchitect.com/residential-architecture-101-shutters/

The properly sized shutters with hardware will give your home style. You have a radius window on the right and there are shutters that have the radius window top with hardware that have lots of style. There are many different styles, here are just a couple photos for you to illustrate:

The bush on the corner is too large for your home - it totally blocks the window to the right of the door from this view. Can you trim it down or relocate it? I don't know your plant hardiness zone but you can look it up and spend time on Gardenweb.com looking for specific plants. If you have more loose type plants, less structured, it is less formal and a little more inviting. If you are looking for low maintenance, look for xeriscaping in the site above.

Paint: consider also changing the color of your posts and railing - right now it just blends into the siding. Go with a contrasting color like white or creamy white. Paint the risers on your steps the same contrasting color.

If you want to bring your home to a more contemporary look, then consider changing out the posts to straight lines rather than the turned posts they are now.

You could open up the entry by expanding the walkway to larger landing areas and have the walkway come to the front all the way rather than turn to the left something like the one below:

You can do this same effect in any style - cottage, transitional, modern...whichever way you want to go. It's just a change in materials to give you the style you want to achieve. What is your preferred style?

If this was my house... the large bush in the front would be scaled WAY down. It is currently the focal point due to its size, and it's a bit of a security hazard for me (easy for no-goods to hide behind it). I'd shape it down about 2" lower than the railing behind it. Then, the shutters would be replaced with something deep and neutral like gray or midnight blue to match the roof.

The door would be taken up just a couple of shades to give it that WOW factor (or alternatively the same thing with a different color) so that the door is illumiated and visible from a distance. For fun, I would match the cushions on your porch furniture to the door.

Thanks. We have been trying to trim the giant laurel carefully, but now that I see it in the photo and with your helpful comments, it will come down drastically.
Color suggestions?