Oh the joyous split level! No offense to anone who owns one and likes it, but it has always been able to stump me. I guess I lean toward the historical houses myself. This one is hard because it does involve cash, and I just can't think of anything else: A new garage door (carriage house style and dark in color, and maybe paint the rest of the white to match) A new entryway (add some architecture to the front to create a porch/portico with a column or two) A courtyard garden around the aforementioned entryway. This could be done as a diy with pavers.

In my pinch penny mode, if you are the kind to diy things: it would be adding heavy trim to the garage door and painting the white to soften the contrasts and bring out the brick, some extra trim around the entryway and shove a post under the open corner, stain the concrete, and bring out the floral bed to wrap arond to the driveway.

Hope this at least gets other ideas flowing.....

Split levels are very distinctive in style. No matter what you try to do, it will always be a split level. I wouldn't recommend trying to add or change things that would be out of character with the architectural style of the house. Whenever people do that, it sticks out like an elephant in a room.

Yes -- a split-level will always look quite modern but -- if possible -- paint the entire home in tan paint (check out "Carrington Beige" HC-93 from Benjamin Moore) which will make the whole facade appear to be more cohesive -- and certainly larger.

Add dark brown shutters to the front window too.

Change the lighting to larger but very simple lanterns in oil-rubbed bronze.

Remove the brown screen door -- and have a simple fresh white front door with a large oil-rubbed bronze door knocker. Add an urn with a tall tree by the doorway too -- if there is room.

Expand the front walkway -- make it curve into the yard -- and add a bed of gravel and pavers along the side. Much more charming! Add a tall standing lantern.

Expand the gardens along the front and add a wall of stacked stone (those simple-to-stack bricks)

I think the idea of painting it all one color sounds like a very good idea. I think teacats is onto something. I would also suggest emphasizing more the entry way front door and porch. (I don't know how to ...sorry!) But I do think simplifying the look with a uniform color would be a good way to get waht you want for not much $.

teacats has lots of good suggestions.

As splits go, yours is pretty nice. I dug around a bit and found this link for a small book on ideas for splits. I had thought of some kind of trellis to unify the front. Indeed, that is one of the suggestions in the booklet.

So, maybe there isn't money to change rooflines, etc. But of you see something you like, you could start working in that direction with landscaping (hardscapes in particular) or color.

Btw, I have always thought that splits are a very practical way to live. Easier for older folks and younger too, where steps can be a barrier. A nice way to "stay connected" to family. You're never too far away. My split plan rancher has a feeling of real disconnectedness. But since DD is almost 14, maybe that's good! ;-)

Oh, there is another split transformation on the Cottage Living website, but it involved a huge budget. The house is totally re-made. It is amazing.

Here is a link that might be useful: Great ideas for splits.