Hi, We're doing the same thing... a whole house renovation on our new house, a Mid-Century that I'm renovating to more of a Colonial Revival style. Your porch addition will make a huge difference! We are just adding a huge front porch to our house tto (see the porch progress here) (You can read along on our renovation process here)

With this picture, I'm not addressing anything but the "floor" of the entrance area. I'm not saying this is how it should be done, just that it should be done: create a spacious paved area that flows from the drive to the entrance. And get rid of the hedges that flank the driveway, blocking the view of the entrance. They make it seem as if the driveway should be for herding. Not saying it should be grass either. Just low.

some ideas

Do you plan to remove your pavingstone driveway?

I'd paint the front door an inviting color.

not sure how you can "update" a ranch that's only 40-50 years old if you don't like contemporary or modern, though. either you bought the wrong house or I don't know what "update" means!

Don't try to stick a craftsman porch on a 70s ranch. It's never going to look right. Get rid of the hedge, flank your porch with potted plants and run some flowering vines up the pillars.

@Designhome

Thank you for you're recommendation. We don't want to change the roof, so exterior color we pick for walls and gutters needs to go with the brownish roof. It's been good to look on google to have an idea.

@acm

Maybe I should have explained better... What I meant by updating the house is really giving it a face lift. What I meant by modern or contemporary styles are those very flat houses it flat (ish) roofs and little character in my opinion. Those, I don't like much. Just not my style.

@Dig Doug's Designs(8A)

You have great ideas! I just wish you're working over the new version with the porch. That changes the look of the house. We did think about adding gables like you're suggesting but decided against it so we could save most of the roof and not have that additional cost.

@Sigrid

I am a home owner, not really familiar with most styles. What makes a porch craftsman style and how could we make it look good given the rest of the house?

Adding the planned front porch and moving the entrance to the right some will make a huge difference.

Selecting a more inviting paint color/trim color will do wonders for the home.

I would do everything possible to dress up the garage door. It is really the only focal point on the front of your home.

Yardvaark(9A) had a great visual about extending you pavers over to the entryway. You could include a small bench with potted florals, a pot for the garden hose ect. up against the right side of the garage.

some new ideas based on your drawings

Nothing about this house is even slightly Craftsmen. I think any porch addition will look crammed in to the small space available. Don't do it.

If you care about the appeal of the house get rid of the horrible landscaping.