I love the brick. So keep. Remove the shutters. Add white board and baton where there’s siding. I would probably change the doors ( including garage) to something richer looking. Maybe a brown wood. But if not paint them. Remove the sidelights from the front door. That’s the basic update.
If you want something more drastic and the interior allows for it. I would consider extending the porch. Remove the windows and add some French doors. And do a brick walkway to the driveway. New landscaping will also help. Very nice cute home. I like it a lot

Thanks for the quick response! I especially like the board and batten idea.

Your house is a 2 story, not a 1-1/2 story -- the 2nd floor has full height exterior walls.

I'd think about painting the 2nd floor a darker color making it less noticeable, and shutters are OK except on the wide window, and they should be correctly sized.

Add some fresh landscaping.

And no B&B. It will only make the 2nd floor seem taller.

Your shutters are the wrong shape for your windows. They are more appropriate for curve topped windows. Trade them out for appropriate sized and shaped shutters. Also, remove them from the largest window. They are inappropriate there. I like your front door. Just paint the side lites white. They are part of the frame, not the door. Much can be gained from having a long term landscaping plan for your front yard. And...consider removing the curved inserts from your garage door and replace them with squared off inserts. And, perhaps, some ornamental ironwork on the doors, themselves. Your home has good bones! It will be lovely....