I don't love faux shutters that don't actually work. I'd actually do way more with the landscaping here instead. You need much taller things near foundation wall (and in clustered arrangements that are not so evenly spaced). Get some flowering bushes and add more color to the landscaping.

I'd also put in a large tree out front- fruit or maple to make the home look part of it's surroundings rather than just put in place.

You also may want to bump up the color of the front door to make it pop more than it does in that shaded alcove.

The stone that just stops at the windows at the front does not make sense to me - it looks like it was tacked on as an afterthought. I would consider removing that stone and finishing the front wall to match the upper portion. Anyway, it makes considerations such as window boxes and shutters more complicated. For me, there is not enough symmetry and consistency for shutters to make sense either. When your shrubs get taller, it will look better, and you could consider some trees in the front yard, but I cannot see how big the front yard it; i.e., how far away the street is. What does the other side of the street look like?

Shutters will not fit the windows properly…so no to shutters.

I suggest, as Cara, another front door color….a more generous/welcoming front walk and a tree…a big tree and a garden. Spend some extra money on that and have it professionally planted.

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Your window design isn't conducive to any shutters. Here is a brief article to read about shutter sizing so you don't accidentally go down that road: https://www.lifeofanarchitect.com/residential-architecture-101-shutters/

What you really need is a comprehensive landscape plan for the whole yard. Have a landscape designer come out and put one together for you. It is a shame that builders today stop at the landscaping (as in don't include much, if any at all). It really is the finishing touch that new homes need.

I think you just need more landscaping, or more time for yours to mature, and maybe a decent sized fast growing tree out front.

I would change trim to black or a very dark grey-- including garage doors.

Pergola could be added above garage doors to add some interest.

Give front door some color

and yes, some major landscaping would go a long way

Ditto everything chijim said.

Shutters are just going to emphasize the disconnect between the house and the property because they are are going to draw your eye up. (Besides the fact that they don't really work with your windows.)

I agree with the above comments about landscaping and would also consider beefing up your hardscape/entrance. Add a substantial stone landing below your front stairs and perhaps beef up your porch column. Widening your sidewalk and making it a more graceful shape will also help ground the house to the property.

Your house looks good, it just needs to mature a bit.

Nothing wrong with the house. More interesting landscape would make a huge difference. Talk to some garden designers.

What about an awning to match the roof over that lower window? Would tie in with brick and add more visual appeal to that flat side.

Or bigger window trim.

Totally do it. And I want an after pic!

Your home is already beautiful! I would get professional landscaping immediately, and then take another look at what you want to do. The right landscaping will add so much wow to your house. Take a drive through neighborhoods that you like and focus on the landscaping. You will see how the nice stuff makes a huge difference!

More hardscape and planting beds, less lawn. Remove the plant that's going to overgrow the window next to the entry. In fact, keep any plants you have from overgrowing the windows.

I took your siding down a few more courses on the right. I don't know if it's possible, but I think it looks better. This is a good looking house that just needs professional landscaping to shine.

Ooh, phun, I like your idea of carrying the porch all the way across. I'm stealing your idea. I also painted the downspouts to match the siding. A little thing, but easy (with a long enough ladder) and makes a difference. I'd probably do the door in cedar.

groveraxle LOL!!! While you were typing your last comment, I was trying to compete by adding my furrbaby below!

Pretty house. I love Grover's rendition with a walkway up the lawn to the front entry.

grover and phun, the photoshops are great. The dogs...priceless!

I love the rendering work!! I'd go with either idea if the dogs came with it. :-) Really like the pergola! This has put me in a good direction. Going to start with the landscaping work, some fancier trim on some windows, and maybe even a pergola! My husband really likes the expanded front porch idea, and so do I. Not sure we'll be able to do much about the height of the stone wall right now (we both agree it's a little awkward, though). We've got some good ideas to work on!

Much appreciated, all--this is the first time I've posted for advice and it's been such a help!

Just adding a curve to your walkway would be more inviting. It's a lot of cement for what may not be used a lot..walk way from the sidewalk to the house and driveway to the house, but both are needed. Where do you live..snow removal is on my mind...I would be putting flower beds where the pictures above have shrubs..but I am a gardener and like a change as the months go by. The front course of brick that is causing all the angst will be covered in time if those are box wood shrubs and a hedge is in the making. The porch idea is a MUST in my world. That space will not maintain what is planted there over the long haul. It is unfortunate a premium was spent on such a large plant for THAT spot. Perhaps it can be moved. Just wanted to add; your garage doors NOT being on the front facade is fabulous. Gives you so many more options!!

I like Grover and Phum's renditions. I'd have the walkway curve over to the drive, rather than have the walkway go to the road, that's a long bit of parallel access to the house, and I assume most visitors will park in the driveway. But don't run it just in front of the house, let it curve and meander.

Indeed, though, as most have said, focus on landscaping, entry and walkway. The porch idea is great! At this point it should be easy to move the new shrubbery, the roots will not have had time to sprawl out yet. And indeed the large shrubs right next to the house where the porch can expand to -- that's NOT a good location for them to thrive anyway. Unless rain typically comes in that direction, you'd be out watering them all the time anyway.

Grover is right about trying to move the right hand stonework down a layer or two... when you get to it.

Once you get the landscaping, porch and walkway settled, then worry about the door. Either the cedar suggestion, or a bold color there.

The house itself will show off its beauty once the other things are looked at.