The only reason to add a peaked roof at the front door is if you add a roof over the porch. And you really do not have enough front porch to do that well.

Plus, a smaller peak will not look good that close to the larger gable roof to the left of the front door.

Both really helpful comments, thank you. Good points about the higher pitched roof and front porch.

Any thoughts on converting the roof above the picture window to a flat roof and raise it to the level of the peak of the rest of the roof?

I wouldn't do this.

Hire an architect to sketch something up and post back for critiques.

Fair enough. I appreciate the candid advice--that's precisely why I ask the folks here.

We've worked with an architect. The peaked entryway is actually a modification of his plan--his suggestions to improve curb appeal mainly included moving the front entry, which is more than we are/were looking to do. I can't seem to locate "option 2". Sorry for the bizarre orientations.

Not really a fan, even if you move the door to the other side of the picture window, I would still try to make the house look stylistically like it does now, afterwards. This is a particular style of house, and trying to turn it into something else is not going to make it look better, just different. (and I think that would take more than tacking a gable or two on the front.)

Can you extend the front porch several feet and create a portico?

I agree with palimpsest--I would leave it alone.

I agree with many of these comments. Your house is charming as it is! We just sold a ranch home that I wanted desperately to add a larger front porch and/or more interesting roof line to. In the end, we didn't. And wouldn't you know maintaining the structural and aesthetic integrity of what our home originally was (even if that wasn't on trend) is what brought us a cash buyer in 3 days at over asking price. I do think that option 1 from the architect is a nice look though.

I truly appreciate all of the comments! I trust the advice--I'm going to leave well enough alone. I don't particularly love the look of ranch houses, but I'm sure it will grow on me and hopefully some landscaping will increase the appeal.

I'm glad you are leaving it alone. I like it best as is.

Yes nothing worse than trying to turn a house into what it's not. Glad you're leaving it alone. Paint and landscaping will help a lot.

I have a ranch style house similar to yours and I'm curious about the same thing. It seems people aren't into it but I totally get how you feel because it's how I feel too! I saved your post so I can see if anyone else has other ideas, or if you update with finished pictures!

We are looking to do this to our home as well to give it a more grand/volume/larger appeal v.s the small ranch style. If anyone has done it, please post pics. Thanks!