Can you post a few more pictures? Do a few head on.

Not the best photos but I'm at work. I'm also enlisting the services of Kevin Strader - Creative Visual Concepts for help. I've been trolling curb appeal threads for quite a while and he's helped so many people out. the last two photos are horrible, taken from streetview. I'll get better photos, hopefully after work today.

those colors are great. The asphalt shingles are kind of a slate gray so it may not be the best match. I may also try to stain the bricks a bit with some gray to tie everything in a bit better. The ultimate goal is to pop out that corner where the door is and make a front porch but that's 5 years away.

First, sorry, I'm horrible with colors - second, I seem to be getting somewhere with your help (encouraging). We tend to like the lighter colors and want to take advantage of trim that contrasts a bit. Kevin Strader, a frequent helper on Houzz, mocked up a few for me in darker colors and my wife wants to go lighter on the house color (tan, beige, maybe even blue/gray). If it were up to me, I'd probably go with a gray that had green or blue tones and go with a contrasting trim. The color of the roof is probably going to hold us back. I really liked that coastal fog you suggested but it won't probably go well with the roof.

Thanks again Kevin. You've definitely helped me whittle down the colors and gave me some great ideas.

Hi Carl, I have a question ... Are you planning to live there for awhile? Are you open to a few modifications on the exterior besides paint?

I don't understand this gate thing you mentioned. Are these functioning wood gates that you have to open and close to enter the carport? And do I see a real garage some distance straight behind the carport?

I really like the last two or three paint examples in the post just above. And the improved landscaping helps out a lot.

I don't think you can go wrong with any of the colors, but I like the first one best.

I like pictures number 1 and 6 the best.

Pay no mind to the colors I used as I do not know your neighborhood style. Just wondering if changing the entry down the road would be something you would be interested in. That is meant to be a door with side light. I also enclosed the little porch. Don't know what's on the other side or if you need a little powder room or extension of other.

This is a rough idea.

Or, kick it up a notch.

It's only money lol.

I like a pale sage green with a medium sage green for the trim. But I would look for ways to beef up the trim. Green would be nice with the pavers. I think the right shades of green look really sophisticated.

I love that marine blue that justerrilynn posted for trim, but I don't know how to integrate it. A dark color with lighter trim can look quite dramatic. I would not do an aqua house but I would consider a deeper blue with lighter or white trim on a simple house like this. Again, I would look at long term plans because the trim could use a little more... something. Also dark colors seem to show flaws and age more than lighter colors, IMO.

If you go with a cool color, consider what it would be like to come home on a cloudy or snowy day. My house used to be painted a beautiful shade of pale gray. It was so depressing to come home to on cloudy days. So I changed it to pale dusty pink (a shade of white) with dusty pink trim (almost neutral) and it was fine. (I have red variegated brick that needs to be coordinated so I did not have a lot of colors to choose from.) Now my house is white with medium gray trim. Most people only see the red brick so the house color doesn't really matter.

No, I like that covered entry on the side. After the paint, what you need is some color. The walkway and driveway are fine. The plants are green but they are otherwise doing you no favors. Are you in California where water is at a premium? Maybe you're going to go to an entirely different water wise front yard? How about a bright pink bougainvillea? Or perhaps two, one on each side of the smaller window?

Justerrilynn - great mock up. I think our end goal would be to pop out that corner, which others have done in the neighborhood, and have a large front porch added. The large window is right in the center of our livingroom so a door would need to remain off to the left.

Hi Carl, do you mean the front door I have added be moved to the left or do you mean keep the entry door where you have it now? Love your idea of popping out the corner!

Practigal - We are in San Diego. Water is at a premium and I have a ton of grass. I'm ok with the water bill but it is tough to keep green watering 2 days a week. BTW - I really like the covered entry also. Most examples in the neighborhood no longer exist because they either removed it to pop out the corner or they hit the brace with their car and had to remove it.

Justerrilynn - I did mean the front door. Our neighborhood has quite a few examples of our similar home. One neighbor has the door right where you have it. Here are a few examples. Hope they don't mind me posting streetview photos.

These are all homes built by the same designer in the 50's.

I really like the first photo Kevin posted. Sometimes when you have windows that only allow for one set of shutters it looks best to have none.

Wow Carl, you already have some great examples of changing to a front entry AND having a porch area. I had started a new drawing but it doesn't compare to what you already have in your neighborhood. Seems like I think like your neighbors. I read somewhere that changing to a front entry is great for resale (not that you are thinking in those terms). For me though, a home is so much more welcoming when the entry is on the front.

i won't bother finishing this. Needs a plant or tree in the vacant space to right of door.

I like 1,5,7.

I really like the dark trim.

I really like the sage green. It's different but still neutral. It will probably stand out a bit in your neighborhood, but not too much.

I agree with Lily'smom, don't paint unless you really have to. Put the paint money towards a landscape plan. You said funds are limited at this time so pay for a plan to fit your future remodel. Plant small plants and tree's yourself to keep in budget. Leave out planting in areas that might be in the way of future remodel. Or, just wait till after remodel.

P.S I edited the above post where I called you Kevin instead of Carl lol.

Kevin/Carl? it's all the same, I knew what you meant.. :) I may do two new front windows, mine are very old and not very efficient. Either way, I need to spend some money on an ultimate, end design. I should make sure I'm not doing anything that will need to be completely redone, or even removed on later updates. I can have the house painted pretty reasonably so I may do it anyway but i'll talk to an architect first.

Talking to an architect first sounds like a good plan man!

SAN DIEGO! Go with the lightest colors, no sense adding to your cooling bills. I like the green or the putty color or the light blue with the blue grey trim. If you're going to go to the trouble of painting your house, tear out that overgrown landscaping that is hiding it. Go with some kind of tree that can survive your heat and dry and will provide shade. Or long term, a colonnade/porch across the front. Save your money for that! I'd skip shutters, but awnings over the windows might be cool (in more ways than one!).