"Ideally, a primary or entry walkway should be at least 48" wide and even wider is [often] better." I concur 100%. Another consideration in addition to sheer usability, is that a walk's width needs to coordinate with the building architecture ... size being one of those characteristics. This walk does that in that it is equal to the full width of the opening at the porch. My guess is that the walk is 5' 4". I have no arbitrary opposition to straight walks, thinking that many of them are equal to curved walks in their potential to be beautiful. From what we are shown in the picture, either seems like it could work well. It would probably only be worth the expense of changing it if a person developed a compulsion about it, as compulsions cannot be explained by reason alone.

Shutters will not suit the style of your house at all. Shutters look good on narrow windows, where the shutters look as if they could really close over the windows. Your windows are not that style. "Update" can mean different things to different people. Are you looking for a true contemporary look or just looking for a refresh/change? Since your house is not a contemporary style that would not be my choice. Can you find some pictures of houses whose style you like, and post them in your idea books? Not sure what you mean by planter boxes, but plants grown in containers are more maintenance than in-ground plants, unless the planter boxes are very large. If you mean window boxes, avoid them altogether. They are very high maintenance and often look scraggly if the plants are not replaced very often. I have a green thumb but won't have them - too much work. Your shrubs look overgrown and could likely use a professional pruning. What is your climate zone and which direction does that side of the house face? Or what is your closest large city? Your current door style would suit a Victorian house, not yours. If the curved portion can be removed (by you or a door pro), maybe you only need to paint the door a fresh color. Th one below is Valspar Royal Navy. Is the door otherwise in good shape? Sometimes parts of the door are inserts that can be replaced. https://www.soulstyle.ca/paint-it-black/ Your house exterior doesn't need to match your interior decor at all. Your house is already attractive and I don't think you need to do much.

Ok, you've convinced me to go with dark sashes and muntins! Thank you for the feedback! Some more variations (I'm kind of obsessed). Bottom left is existing window frame colours with muntins added, and stucco painted (tudor boards kept the existing colour) Bottom right is dark sashes, a taupe-y casing, and both stucco and tudor boards repainted. (Top left existing, top right was an old version with lighter muntins/sash)

I hope you're very careful about any changes you do make because your house has great dignity and style the way it is and it'd be a shame to destroy that. What about painting just the trim an unexpected color, like sky blue, that would brighten, refresh, and modernize the exterior but with little cost and no big changes? I live in California, and houses with this architecture and size are mostly in the expensive neighborhoods, so they're on the rare side, and maybe that's why I value your style of house so much.