My first thought is to finish removing the tree in the drive. That costs nothing. You could then expand the lawn and flowerbed to the right without interfering with car access. Fir trees are good to plant at this time of year.

I would construct planters along the front, under the windows, and along the side next to the AC unit, that can hold a few evergreen perennials and seasonal annuals. Or, buy large pretty pots to the same effect.

Put a screening enclosure around the AC unit (one that opens to allow access for maintenance.)

Painting the siding with a more up to date color would be nice as well - darker gray, dark gray-blue, maybe Urbane Bronze (would have to see how that looks with the roof color. I'm not sure what it is from the photo.)

What front door? I don’t see it. Does the carport have lights? It’s like a black hole.

Thank you @ShadyWillowFarm. The front door is located in the far back right corner of the carport. There is a light right by the door that we use at night, and we have some other motion lights. I am going to investigate adding canned lights in the carport. I would love it if it were different, but trying to work with my situation as best I can for now.

Thank you @raee_gw zone 5b-6a Ohio! These are great suggestions I think I could implement!

Your best bet is to clean up the landscaping, especially the bed to the left of the drive. Some shrubs in there would be appropriate. Depending on your climate you might need to set up an automated watering system for the first year (not very expensive these days--look at Gardener Supply).

Is the concrete next to the carport a parking area or could you outfit it as a patio with a picnic table and chairs?

@Yvonne Martin thank you! We have been considering putting chairs around a fire pit to the left of the carport, but a picnic table is a great idea as well. And I agree with cleaning up the beds. Thank you!

A light fixture and house numbers on the side wall of the house next to the carport will help guidance guests to the front door. Another light inside the carport illuminating the door will also help. I would put decorative panels on the side of the carport and screening the ac unit. Do you allow parking on the concrete pad, or would you prefer cars remain on the asphalt area?

Costs a bit more but skylights or solar tubes in the carport could make a world of difference during the day

@Olychick thank you for your thoughtful comments and helpful pictures! I do like these ideas!

@AiFL thank you for the idea! I had never heard of solar tubes before and will look into them.

@ShadyWillowFarm thank you so much for these pictures! These are great ideas to help make this carport more modern. To answer your question about parking, we do currently allow parking on the concrete pad, but had been considering putting a fire pit with chairs around it and possibly string lights overhead. Do you have other insights about that area we should consider? I appreciate your thoughtful response very much.

Since you're not there a great deal of the time, I would be wary of putting in a door with glass that can easily be broken by the mischievous. I like lighting up the carport by whatever means meets your budget restrictions, The patio should be used for socializing and could also benefit from string lights, and perhaps a sun sail over part of it for the sunny portion of the day.. I manage vacation rental properties (19 years) so if you want to consider that option, message me here on Houzz.

I thought the same as decoenthusiaste- string lights and sun sail. Green or tan keeps it woodsy, if that's your goal. If you use a metal pole to affix, spray them with flat black paint to make those poles "disappear" visually.