What a cute house! My previous home was built in 1940 and I loved it for its vintage charm. I personally prefer it when the exterior of an older home is kept true to its original nature. For good inspiration, check out the work done by the Napiers of Home Town. I admire how they honor the old houses they rehab and don't just "remuddle" them by adding in more modern elements.

This is my previous home. At some point long before we bought it, its original red brick was painted a creamy white. I probably would've been too chicken to make such a big change, but the result was quite pretty and I think it enhanced the look of the house.

It is nice cute house, I would not go with modern.

What a lovely house! I would definitely not paint that brick. The current looks is classic and cute and requires no maintenance.

I'm not an architecture expert, so I'm not certain if these are appropriate to the style of the house, but here are some ideas for a new light over the front door.

Rejuvenation Wildwood Sconce

Rejuvenation Pacifica Sconce

Rejuvenation Columbia Sconce

Hopefully someone with more skills than I could suggest some landscaping changes to wake up the exterior. Right now you have mostly lawn and two little shrubs. Adding flowers and some interest to the landscape will really help add some pizazz.

I would do away with the storm door and let your front door be more visible. If you need a storm door, paint it the same color as the front door.

I would go for a simple and classic style railing around the porch. The house is cute on its own and has simple architectural interest. To me that suggests that a cute, classic, simple railing would work best.

Hope you'll share when you finish. It's a really cute little home!

If you have the budget, a gabled portico would be functional (sheltered entry area) and could be painted white to make your husband happy while preserving the brick. I wouldn't paint the brick.

I'd replace the porch rail with something traditional with closer-spaced balusters, another place you could bring in some white to break up the brick.

Beyond that, I would focus on landscaping, as Sabrina suggested.

I would widen the front walk. Old House Gardens is your friend. If it were my house, I would create the landscape based on what flowers were available the year my house was built.

Heirloom roses, iris, peonies, daffodils, dahlias, You could create a front yard veggie garden or bee, hummingbird, bat habitat.

It's a cottage style home. I wouldn't try to make it something it isn't. I think your brick is very attractive and I wouldn't paint it. Plus, when you paint brick you take a basically no maintenance product and turn it into a long term maintenance issue.

Some things you could do:

1) Replace the existing porch railing with one more in keeping with the style of the house.

2) You could paint the trim a color other than white if you wanted to change the look.

3) A small porch or awning over the front door would look good (if your budget allows).

4) Add a section of sidewalk from the existing one over to the driveway.

5) Add landscaping.

6) If you do a fence then my first choice would be white picket.

If you're interested in seeing some virtual makeovers check out my website, Creative Visual Concepts.

Your house is charming, I would absolutely play up the 1940's element. Do NOT paint the brick, it's a nice brick and makes the house charming as it is.

1. A nicer walk (4' wide at least).

2. Change the railings on the porch.

3. Paint the storm door to match the front door.

4. A new, LARGER light over the door.

5. House numbers to the side of the front door.

6. Landscaping. Landscaping. Landscaping. This is the key element to bring all the rest of the changes together. Hire someone to help you come up with a plan. You can pay for the plan but install it over time.

Storm door painted same color as front door to avoid the "white rectangle" effect.

This is good resource for ideas: https://www.oldhouseguy.com/

Please don't paint your house. The brick is attractive and you will turn something that is no maintenance into a money pit over the years. What I would spend money on is a larger pad for the front door, possibly right sized raised panel shutters for the door and the windows, an interesting porch railing in white and landscaping. I think the walkway is wide enough and with a wider pad at the front door it will look more welcoming.

Adding to cawaps' suggestions, can the porch be enlarged?

Original brick is always so classic! Brightening up the door could be a good starting point. Can you upload a close up photo of your door? More than happy to send some mockup options for you for color and door glass.

Painted brick, if executed properly, is not a maintenance issue.

White is classic and can be accomplished with Limewash instead of acrylic paint.