The proposed addition would make your house very similar to houses around me from the 70s. Some homeowners have brought the entrances forward, or embraced the tunnel and added a gate (or done nothing). If it were me, I would go for a courtyard or atrium where the tunnel to your door is and add a killer gate on the front of the house. Some visualizations (I’m not saying these are necessarily good-looking homes, fyi). I’ve had this photo forever and I love what they did with the cedar around the windows. I’d paint your house white with the windows on the right side of your house trimmed in cedar and other cedar accents. I’d suggest getting an architect, but this is a great place to figure out what you like and what might be possible.

I definitely like it with something...it could be small plants or shrubs...

The shrubs to the right are drift roses, so they will be blooming soon and through the fall. The bushes mirror those on the other side, with the exception of the Kaleidoscope Abelia since that bed to the right is smaller and can't accommodate them. There are 3 recessed cans for porch lighting and landscape lights that light up the columns. We don't lack for light, but not a pendant or any wall fixtures there --just the cans.

The front appears to be a deck--not a porch and that is not a look I find attractive ever. The deck does not match the south western architecture of the home. It doesn't appear to be an inviting place to 'hang out'--no shade, up against a street??? what's the view???? Without more pictures of the entire property I would be tempted to remove the decking, give the home a modest entrance, possibly get something green growing where the deck now is and spend my money where people will be hanging out.