I would have a metal awning supported by knee braces like this one.

Grand Bayou Lakehouse - Farmer Payne Architects · More Info

A new smaller porch and paint will complete a makeover.

I'd take that whole front off and do something smaller and more in-keeping with the style. A nice awning with clay roofing tiles. I even like the idea of the stone wall. (You can find budget-friendly stone look cladding at the hardware stores)

https://buyfauxstone.com/?route=common/home

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.

Excellent ideas, sadly any greenery will be tough, renters won't water anything.

Here it is with a small terracotta awning, a light color and a smaller deck.

I like what @houssaon did above. White paint, new entry, Spanish tile roof over nicer door. It’s not a place for a “deck” as in someplace to sit. It’s the entrance. Use new materials that complement the style. It could be ADORABLE if you let it be what it is.

Agreed. I would add a bright color on the windows, but that black & white is. Classic too. If there isn’t already a flat spot for outdoor furniture, maybe add some gravel or some other surface that would allow your renters a place to have a seat outside. Also, depending on the lot, having stairs on both sides, or maybe toward the street would give it just a little more symmetry. Either way, it seems there is a pretty good consensus, so we are anxious to see what you do with it.

I think all the ideas you've gotten above are good. The deck doesn't need to be that large. Your lowest cost option might be staining or painting all the wood black or a dark expresso. It's the disconnect between the house color/style and the wood stain color as well as the rail style that is the biggest issue. If you can remove the whole portion of desking on the right side, even better.

Lean into the Southwest style. That decking is pretty generic and not in keeping with the look of the facade. Lighten the paint color to a white or sand. Add a tile roof to the overhang. Then I'd think about a stacked stone base for the deck and cable railings. This example is a little grand, but you can see how the stucco, stacked stone, and cable railings work together:

exterior · More Info

PS, just a silly thought - since you don’t want to add plants - understandably - maybe have an artist paint a few little plants like a spiky yucca or a pot of flowers on the house like a mural.