Maybe a door along these lines:

This company can help you to visualize:

https://www.houzz.com/pro/uoflcardfan77/creative-visual-concepts-kevin-strader

Thank you for being the first to comment. I smiled when I saw your response. I actually like the door you showed. I will look at the link tomorrow. Thanks again.

Have you picked a contractor?

Thank you PCC. The reason I thought about a portico really was to protect the door and stop the rain and snow from hitting against the door. The front yard is only about 12 feet to the sidewalk so I don’t think I can fit a porch -I am thinking. The shutters will be removed. May you suggest an idea to protect the door.

This first house is typical but the windows are far enough aprt for a gable style portico to fit.

Dutch Colonial Style Home - Chicago, IL in James Hardie Siding & Trim · More Info

With your wide windows, perhaps this idea would be a better solution to cover the entry. You could make it even deeper than the one here.

City Dutch Colonial · More Info

You have a charming Dutch Colonial. I would get the same style plain double hung windows that you have. Once you remove the bars and the shutters the house is going to look so much better!

I would also prune the bushes down in height by at least one third to one half. The goal is not to hide the windows.

The front door look fine to me. It goes with the Dutch Colonial style. You could paint it another color if you want, but if it is in good condition, I say keep it.

You can do a portico like this one, where there are only two front posts. Then you don't have to worry about the windows.

Architecture Walk: Exterior Styles and Palettes · More Info

You can get a gray, charcoal or weathered wood (driftwood) roof.

I like houssaon gable roof portico idea.

I am truly thankful for the ideas and suggestions. Decisions, decisions, decisions.

@houssaon If I go with the charcoal roof, what color door would look best? Would it look disproportionate if the posts go on to the walkway since I don’t believe the top step is structurally sound to place the post. I may be wrong!

@decoenthusiaste I like the look of the extended roof, since it will be unique to other homes in the neighborhood. My concern though is would I not have to extend the stair into a front porch to give it that balance?

Could someone please share their thoughts on how I can layer the house, maybe adding trim or planters, window plant boxes,etc. anything that would give the house character/charm.

Thank you all! Please keep the ideas coming.

I would not go further out than the second step, which might be preferable. Going out to the walkway is too far. Maybe you could have the steps and the landing redone. If you do, make them all the same size.

With a charcoal roof you could go with a wood stain, fern green, white, rusty red, gray, black. Lots of options.

@houssaon Thank you for taking time to respond. Let me see if the budget will accomodate the stairs being redone. 🤞

As for the door I like the one @freedomplace1 suggested. Would that work?

Would you say simple is best for the portico?

I think you can do that pergola style roof and not worry about the stairs. Use pots of geraniums stepping down the stairs as they are. Center a pair of the brackets at the door and then one at each end of the two windows for a total of four. They will look nicely spaced because they will follow the architecture of the openings on the facade. You might try showing that photo and the one of your house to a roofing contractor and see what they suggest to accomplish it on your house.

I don't see anything wrong with your current door. If it is in good shape I would keep it and use the funds elsewhere. But the door that @freedomplace1 suggested is fine.