I think that solving the main problems is going to boil down to two things: the walk; and the making the entrance visible. The walk should definitely be wider - 5' could be a goal, maybe wider near the stoop - and then it should make a better connection with the drive. I don't think this means to necessarily cut across the lawn with it. Given that the yard is small, you could widen the drive a bit with whatever the walk material is, continue on by widening the city sidewalk with the same material, and then turn the corner with the walk, heading to the entrance ... in effect bordering the yard with a "U"-shape "invitation" that extends from the drive to the entrance. (The portions adjacent drive and city walk would not be the same width as the main walk to the entrance. They would be like decorative borders.) When it comes to the portion of walk that heads toward the entrance, I think it would be beneficial to pull it away from the neighbor's drive and incorporate and "S"-curve into it. That way, room for a SMALL tree could be created between the walk and neighbor's drive. It would also have the benefit of making it look like it belongs to your property without any question. Note how entrances are typically clearly marked by some type of enlarged, often raised, paved area, and a roofed covering that offers shelter from the elements. I think you need to create such a structure over the walk, in the front yard, near to the house. It would be the obvious first "entrance" that people reach when approaching the house. But after they've reached it there would be no question about where they would continue to in order to reach the actual house entrance. The structure could be a very nice arbor, or it could be more architectural in nature (such as with brick columns and an actual roof.) BTW, I don't think there's the first thing wrong with your yellow brick. Maybe you're bored of it and that is the driving force behind staining it. But I think it would be a mistake, or highly inefficient at the least, to attempt to change it to another color. If the brick was flat out ugly I'd be all for it. But it's not. You might end up creating, after spending a lot of money and effort, something that is not near as nice. If you could replace the top panel of the garage door with one that has windows all the way across, that would resolve the boring quality of the existing door. There seem to be two main approaches to planting: smother the house with hedges; and smother the house with a variety of all kinds of plants strewn in a randomish fashion. You might consider "matching" shrubs to windows (like steps would be "matched" to a door) as the main shrubs of the landscape scheme. Perennials and annuals can be fit around them in some artistic scheme, keeping it simple preferably. I would plan on keeping shrubs below the window sill height. I would hunt for a spot for another small tree at the right side of the house. (We can't see that area.)

Cute house! Capes are one of my favorite styles. Unless you plan on sitting on a porch out front, I'd spend my money on a landscaping plan. If you take a picture of your house to a good nursery, they can help you work up a plan. Some will do it for free if you buy plants from them, some will charge a small fee to come out and help you put together a plan that you can work on over time. You could stain the stairs and railing with a semi-transparent wood stain to something closer to the roof color. I don't care for a storm door since they cover up so much of the front door so I would avoid it if you don't have to have one. If you really want one, do a full lite storm door that's painted the same color as the front door. I tried on some front door colors for you.

Because it's so symmetrical I think garden layouts will be easier. It looks like, as Yardvark said, you could rip out the overgrown bushes flanking the doorway, replace with something smaller, and trim/shape the rest to see how it looks as a start. There are some healthy ilex or something in the middle which could be attractive. Do you know what is on the left? Oakleaf hydrangea? Your local garden center could suggest plants and shrubs that will do well in your climate. Is there room to add a larger tree as a focal point in the yard off the right corner? Either a full-sized shade tree or a 25-30 foot flowering tree? I know some people hate the idea of painted brick, but this seems like a good candidate for the white brick-black trim look. It's stylish now, but I think it will also stand the test of time. There are some new products for painting brick that don't peel. Here are some similar houses: https://www.architecturaldesigns.com/house-plans/stately-southern-design-with-wrap-around-porch-59463nd https://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans/home-plan-18316 Here is some painted brick: https://www.studio-mcgee.com/studioblog/2019/9/24/how-to-determine-whether-or-not-to-paint-your-brick-house-xwlzh https://www.instagram.com/p/BYhoTcgB3yi/

THANK YOU! I was wondering what 'type' it most closely resembles and what would look natural. The road has no sidewalk so i guess i could just extend it to the driveway. The house is cleaner in person than what it looks like LOL.. I'd love to hear about Victorian touches and shutter/door/banister paints that would look nice. I'd love to get a quick 'photo mockup' if possible, but i have no idea who or where to go :)