I would ASAP get rid of the freight-pallet-looking bottom portion of the deck, replacing it with custom lattice (of which there are many options). Prefab lattice is thin and looks cheap. Custom lattice is easy to make out of 1x2s or 2x2s.

In my experience, stain does not hold up a lick better than good quality paint. In fact, it is inferior. It has the reputation of holding up because it is thin and transparent to start with, so its fading and thinning is not as obvious, whereas, if paint chips off it is highly visible. I find gloss acrylic paint to be the only one to hold up outside.

The spindles and rails would look a lot better as white. A cable rail system does not strike me as a good look for the house style. I could imagine a more "traditional" style of spindle being a better match.

We had some lumber laying around and just slapped it up there to cover the eyesore that is under there. my husband has a strong opposition to lattice, but perhaps I can look at something that's varying widths. I want to keep whatever we put up horizontal because I felt like it would disappear a little better that way against the house. Or at least that was my thought. idk. I hate this whole scene out there.
I considered wire because again I figured it would just disappear and instead of seeing rails and spindles you'd just see the front of the house. My other thought was very skinny wrought iron rails and spindles, but you're saying white? The whole thing white?

I like these skinny spindles.

Manufactured lattice is atrocious. Custom lattice can be delightful and charming.

Totally not on board with the horizontal lines being the problem solver.

I'm saying rails and spindles white -- yes ALL -- not floors and steps. White seems to be your trim color, which seems fine to me. Trying white on the rails and spindles can't be a fatal mistake. If you do it and think it's mistake, pick another color and go again. But seriously, I doubt you would find it objectionable, based on what the rest of the house looks like.

ok. I'll have to do some googling. If you have any examples I'd love to see what you're thinking.

I wish I had photoshop or some design software to play with. I had black leftover from the door so that's why I was thinking wrought iron eventually, but just using it to get an idea if I wanted to go that route, but I can slap some white paint on there because I have that too.

So you're just not feeling the horizontal boards at all then?

For the stairs and porch floor maybe just a conditioner of some type but leave it natural color?

Honestly I'd like to rip it all down and start new, but I wouldn't even know where to start with it.

Another view. The post man knocked out the window to our front door while I was painting the grid. I have to order a replacement grid for the exterior. ugh! hence the classy foam in my door.

like this? we could rip the boards...

If you can plan to have a new entrance built, I would paint it all white as yardvaark already suggested. Those horizontal boards hurt the look as do the spindles. The spindle choice is suitable for a backyard deck, not a front entrance.

Installing lattice and painting it all glossy white will buy you some time while you come up with a long-range plan and budget for it. We waited 12 years to redo the exterior of our home and add a garage.

Cute lattice:

Your house has potential. Decide what you need, a side stairway? A covered space (Really no room for that)? A place to put the snow? Easy access to driveway/s? I‘d think about going back to a front-facing stair with curving side paths to each driveway. Or you could do something similar to what you currently have, just much more charming and welcoming. These are just ideas not necessarily what would work for your situation.

Just playing here, but thinking more refined, less clunky. Try MS Paint for altering image.

Thank you! That helps a lot and looks so much better. I'll check out ms paint.

I was onto something with the less is more with the cable wires, but just wasnt taking into consideration the style of the home or thinking about it for the porch apron.

Anna we just did siding. soffits, fascia, and gutters, and a privacy fence, are currently expanding the driveway, and just finished the enclosed porch with drywall, but I dont intend on spending any more than 3-4 years here so I dont think any major renovations to the entrance will be getting done other than the paint. Especially considering I still have to contend with the backyard grass and addition of concrete. ughhh

If that’s the before and after for your enclosed porch, you did a great job!

It is! Thank you.

Progress. We added Width to the stairway to match the width of the deck. That alone made it feel so much sturdier and safer. Added width to the driveway and built a retaining wall. The railing which wont be in until next week will be frame out the end of the structure like the last image, but it will he a different style.

Also the pavers in the lawn weren't added. It looks a million times better.

Before and After. Believe it or not it looked worse than the before when we bought it, because the siding was half completed so there was foil looking insulated foam board hanging out. Looked like a trap house.

Much improved! It must feel more welcoming now.

Great job with your home, both inside and out!