I can't tell how to enter the house so first thing I'd do is removed the plants that are hiding where I think the door may be.

Other than that, what type of look are you going for?

There are 100s of ways to update split levels I would agree the over growth needs to go and I always think a walkway from the street to the front door is very welcoming.Some idea of the budget will help get realistic suggestions . My first thing would be to remove that fake tudor like trim. All those shrubs need to be removed and some proper landscaping will go a long way .Then some idea of your style. These are just a couple of ideas

Your shrubs are nicely maintained, but the "ball" look is too formal for your house. I'd remove them and replace with a more natural, flowing look. Keep it low under the window. If that's a porch railing behind the shrubbery, I'd remove it and not replace. Make sure your walkway is wide and generous. I think your home would look nice with plain siding, a medium sage green color.

Overall, it looks like a comfortable, well designed house, doesn't need anything "major".

All depends on style really. Is probably do a simple white. Wood doors. Maybe a Dutch front door. Remove the landscaping in front of the porch. Update the porch. Maybe cedar finishes. Corbels. New lighting. Not a crazy project being that you have good materials to work with!! 👍👍

You can try colors on painting sites such as Ben Moore or Sherwin Williams.

Very nice house design. Can the white windows and garage door be painted? If not, working with the bright white with clear new colors or classic white paint are good options.

Wow! Thank you, everyone, for taking the time to send me the great suggestions.

- I checked out the Sherwin Williams visualizer and have been playing on it all day. I haven't managed to find a winning colour yet but I'm playing with the suggestions of a white, with black trim on the windows, black hardware, and cedar accents/door.

- Thinking about it now, I think you're totally right, the Tudor trim has go to go.

- We love the sage idea. Also playing with that, with lots of cedar.

- You're right - the big shrubs have gotta go, too. But really struggling to figure out the landscaping. There are some houses in our area that are the same. They don't have the big landscaping or railing and they look barren. Maybe, as you say, add a big wide walkway (perhaps with a warm tone like brick?)

- The budget is limited. Around 30k CAD but we want to add a gas fireplace insert in the living room, replace the floors with laminate, add built-ins and reface the fireplace, paint the kitchen cabinets and SOMEDAY replace the countertops.....the money we have will not go as far as half of that...oh, and replace all of the furniture (probably just IKEA stuff for now).

- I love square, modern houses, but realize this is not that, and we will need to stay in the style of whatever this is....what is this??? (An attempt at craftsman?)

Here are some pictures of stuff I like, and of the realities (you'll have no trouble identifying the realities! I know, it's awful...lol...I didn't want to spend any money on it until now. Nothing is 'our style' AT ALL, it was just stuff that came our way cheap and the kids and pets could ruin without us caring. The blue wall was an experiment gone wrong and the intention had been to paint the other walls white.)
- my hope is to find floors like this house (that I looove)COREtec floors (in Calypso Oak)https://halfwaywholeistic.com/2020/01/13/a-review-of-2019-and-the-project-list-for-2020/?mc_cid=883a3c5691&mc_eid=d2789ebb79&epik=dj0yJnU9ZXoyS3Nfbk4wUHp3MUpfeTdOWlNFZFk3RWFNU1l2b00mcD0wJm49M2plQzNoNjlOUGk1NE5CT0tUenQ5dyZ0PUFBQUFBR0FWam80

Custom Cape · More Info

Sandbanks · More Info

Willow Glen Cottage · More Info

Willow Glen Cottage · More Info

):

7 Home Styles of the Pacific Northwest | Hammer & Hand · More Info

50 House Colors To Convince You To Paint Yours · More Info

HGTV Dream Home 2013 Front Yard | Pictures and Video From HGTV Dream Home 2013 | · More Info

nanaimo homes for sale - Google Search · More Info

I'd use an earthy color because it looks like you are in a wooded area.

Thank you for that! It’s interesting to see the house without the ‘Tudor’ details and the big shrubs in front of the living room.
I

Hi again, everyone. Thanks again for your recommendations. So, we removed the giant shrubs in front of the door and we took out the railing, as recommended. IT'S A HUGE IMPROVEMENT! It's so much nicer sitting out front to have a coffee. I had so much fun digging on the weekend that I didn't stop, and I dug a garden bed along the side of the driveway too. This weekend I'm going to plant. We'll choose drought tolerant as it's full-sun south facing and our sprinkler system is no longer working. Until that's fixed, or we get a drip system, it'll probably be hose watering. (Lavender, Peonies?, maybe, baby's breath, blue oat grass, candytuft, Malva, Russian Sage, Stokes Aster, creeping thyme, maybe allow the wisteria to grow around the doorway??).

I don't think we'll be able to tackle the siding this year, but I'd like to at least consider painting the door, and if appropriate, the garage door. Here's a photo update of where we're at so far:

Wow! Didn‘t notice the Palm tree until you removed railing & shrubs! What a difference in a good way. Your plan for colorful annuals at entry is great but I’d say no to wisteria as it usually requires major support or will take the porch roof right off the house in some years to come! Maybe a a couple of smaller shrub roses recommended by local nursery for your area Instead? I’d also include a few small dwarf evergreens for entry area so you have something there year round. No specific plant suggestions since I don’t know your location but roses would be good in southern exposure with the sun. Love the lavender & sage & both are drought tolerant after established - will need good watering first year & in extreme heat.

The Tudor trim may be covering the seams in sheet material. Impossible to tell what the siding is from the photos. If it is sheet goods, I agree with the suggestion to paint it the same color as the siding.