I predict that enclosing the left door in order to make a mud room, will not work out well unless there is an architect involved and the project incurs considerable expense. Seems like an easier, less dangerous way would be to use a barrier (3' hedge or architectural panel) and paving to direct pedestrian traffic. ... And, of course, not cramping any pathway. A landscape architect or landscape designer needs to sort out paths to the different parts of the house.

Don't bother thinking about planting until you get all the exterior house remodeling and hardscape figured out. The former is completely dependent on the latter.

The high contrast siding and panels surrounding windows are visually confusing. Not sure what's going on. But needs less differentiation. I think I would try to separately unify the inset area (where door is) and contrast it with a newly unified outset area. ... The goal being overall simplification.

Thanks for the input! I really appreciate it! My original wording was unclear- we were thinking about enclosing the walkway in between the house and the garage, but uncertain if that would just make the house look realllly long with no distinct parts. We have already removed the ramp. We'll likely remove all the "shutters" in the spring - because they are visually jarring.

As for a budget we haven't nailed a number down yet - we are planning on doing the work over the next couple year. My husband is an engineer with contracting/construction experience so thus far we have done the interior work ourselves but will likely involve pros for some of the work out of our depth. We have assumed we will be recladding the house, replacing the garage doors, and replacing all the windows at some point in the changes, in terms of scope.

Some ideas:

--Freebie thing you could do now: trim all bushes in front down to the same size but make them less severe. You can plan more landscaping later on where everything is directed to the door you will be using.

--Make the "breezeway" into a screened porch.

--Change out the left storm door to full length glass door.

--Change lamp to black more MCM style

--Paint front door, shutters, and garage doors black.

--Add modern black horizontal numerals above garage.

Brucewood · More Info

More $$$: Change out middle door to windows that match what you have if those are what work from the inside.

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Front light:

Hinkley 1561SK-LED Landscape Harbor · More Info

Where does each front door lead?

To me, it looks like the door in the middle was the original front door and it would lead to living area. The door to the left looks like it leads to a utility area. Have you changed the interior uses?

Agree with housegal that the landscaping needs to be trimmed way back, it is serving as a barrier now rather than an open landscape plan to bring people to the front of your home.

The high contrast white trim on the doors against the red siding draws all the focus.

Changing exterior doors needs to relate to the interior floorplan. Where do you want people to come inside? Most don't want to have the utilities areas front and center; however, the owners inadvertently lead people right to the utility areas by highlighting that entrance (such as garage doors and side doors). Right now, your utility doors are bright white against a dark red siding. You can change that by blending your garage door color with the siding or having it darker than the siding so it doesn't stand out to accentuate your garage door. Same with your utility door. Color works wonders. You can use an accent color for your intended front door. And landscaping that works with your home.

I cut down all the bushes, the last picture shows them as they are now. The door on the left opens into a foyer that goes into the open dining room/kitchen. The door in the center opens into what the previous owner was using as the entryway, but it is dark and enters closer to where all the bedrooms are whereas the door on the left enters into where the public areas are. We are planning on removing the center door entirely at some point. We have removed an interior wall which makes the door on the left even better for the main entrance.

Some things I didn't understand of the initial introduction, especially about doors ... which was the keeper and which is to be sacrificed. Here, I'm trying to reiterate a single point, and this could have errors in it, but hopefully serves to convey the message of consolidation. It looks crazy hectic to me now with so many trim pieces competing for attention. The picture is no comment about colors or minor details. It's just about simplification and consolidation. I could imagine the center, inset area being completely screened in if the door there is not the main entrance.

Yaardvark, unifying the colors definitely looks much better! Having it lighter in the inset section also I think is an improvement.

decointhusiaste - I did, it is the last picture in my original post. I’m not able to edit to post to move it up, but I’ll add it again.

I agree your next step will be to remove all the shutters. I would also replace the country style storm doors with solid glass ones. The country style is in conflict with your modern windows. If there is no door directly into the opening between the house and garage, I woudn't close that in but use it as a convenient pass through from front yard to back. If you think you'd enjoy using the porch, you could screen it in so that it is less of an entry and more of an outdoor sitting/dining space. I wouldn't remove the door onto it if you decide to use it that way. Looks like you could use some lighting there and at the side door you plan to convert to the main entry. Painting it black, while the other door remains white, would draw the eye to the new entry.

"Having it lighter in the inset section also I think is an improvement."

I used the same principle for the inset area of an entrance, on a house I owned in the past. Originally is was brick siding at the inset with a varnished wood door. I encased the entire inset with wood paneling (like judge's paneling), added trim to frame the perimeter at the house face, and painted everything white. It was lighter and brighter and more welcoming. I happened to post a picture of that project this morning. Look at 3rd picture down to see "before" and 5th picture to see "after."