I can add more pictures if it would be helpful

Do you like the orange brick? Honestly, I would paint it white or an off white, add shutters on those two front windows (perhaps also window boxes) and paint the door and shutters in the same, but contrasting color. Probably would leave the garage door white? A lot of responders will object to painting brick, but with a good masonry primer and good paint it is not any more upkeep than painted siding.

Also, are those new plants you put in? Can’t tell what they are? No matter what you do - with the windows so high, you will need some substantial shrubs to fill in under the windows. Suggest you tell us your location and planting zone also.

thank you for your input! I am not against painting but I would prefer to avoid it if possible.

We did plant the azaleas… but we have a lot of hungry white tail deer that have eaten them away. The deer also killed a young maple tree we planted by rubbing the bark off of the trunk. We’re in Zone 7a I believe. Charleston, WV.

What shutters would you recommend? I removed the tall narrow white ones when we purchased the house as I did not like them. Maybe a wider shutter? I’m clueless with design but I found the original shutters dated - in a bad way.

I like your brick. Our first home was orange brick. I was dead set on painting it when we bought it, but there were lots of projects and it wasn't even at the bottom of the list for years. When we moved out 10ish years later I LOVED my orange house and was so happy we never painted it.

What a lovely home! I would not paint the brick. A landscaping plan is in order.

I would plant trees in your front yard that will frame the space. A local garden center caan guide you for varieties for your climate. Trees are expensive and can take a long time to establish, so I would start there first. Then, with your plan, add the foundation landscaping as you can afford.

Ideas for trees (check out this link by Fred Gonsowski - very informational.)

Can you share some brick exteriors you like . This hoouse can lean toward many styles but you need to know what style you like. I love MCM so that is the direction I would go but maybe you love the cottage look or whatever .These are two ways to go to get you strated IMO painting brick is the fastest way to devalue your home please do not do it. Lanscaping is a must to really enhance the home you have

For shutters - definitely wider ones. And I think window boxes might also add a cottage feel. Azaleas aren’t deer resistant. Search on the internet for deer resistant shrubs or talk to a local nursery. You may want to vary heights and not have a row of all the same. Boxwood is absolutely deer resistant. Rhodendrons aren’t except for the PJM variety. I think the most reliable site for deer resistant plants is the Rutgers site - search for “Rutgers deer resistant plants” - (only) if you turn your screen sideways you can see a search box and put in shrubs as the plant type. That is your zone, or possibly one zone hardier than yours.

I think you could use a few trees in your yard. When I was in WV, I saw beautfiul redbuds growing wild in the woods. And the Mountain Laurel was spectacular. Perhaps you'll need to protect the trunks in winter and the whole plant until it gets tall enough the deer can't eat it. But, I'd start with a tree or two in the yard.

Mt. Laurel is a broadleaved evergreen, so it looks good year round.

I might paint your rocking chairs and front door blue. Different shades of the same color.

It’s cute! Box the posts, and the rockers look a bit too big for the porch. You need more substantial foundation plantings along the house. A welcome mat and rug for the porch, and paint the door blue.🙂

Sorry - it was some other post that wanted a “cottage” look, not yours. But perhaps window boxes set under the two front windows would help the balance. Your windows are very high - and window boxes might help take up some of that space. Definitely will need some good sized shrubs under those windows.

I wouldn't paint the brick. Personally I like brick a lot and it will be a fairly expensive undertaking.

All your house needs is landscaping. You need some really bulky evergreen shrubs to cover the brick under the windows. IMO window boxes are too small to make much difference, and they're a big pain to take care of.

Unfortunately boxwood is now being eaten by boxwood moth, which previously wasn't around much. Every gardening site has an "alternatives to boxwood" thread. Sprays can only do so much.

You're going to want your tallest shrub at the corner, at least 10 feet tall at maturity. And 4-5 more shrubs across the front that are a bit shorter, maybe 6 feet. Shrubs that height will be 5-6 feet across, so the middle of the shrub will be 4-5 feet from the house, so it doesn't touch the house when it's fully grown.

Here are some links to sites that have information about deer resistant plants in your area. Personally I am converting much of my landscaping to plants that are native to where I live, and that's something you may be interested in. You'll get more pollinators such as butterflies, and native plants tend to be easier in my experience.

https://www.wildflower.org/expert/show.php?id=586 American holly (Ilex opaca) may work in your spot. Looks like they're large shrubs but can be kept to a smaller size by pruning.

https://www.lawnstarter.com/blog/landscaping/deer-resistant-shrubs/

Are you planning to replace your roof soon? That would make a big difference.

Here in the Pacific Northwest we don't have brick houses so to my eye your home is so interesting. It really is very attractive brick. I love how the brick goes right to the ground instead of an unsightly cement foundation. I would not cover all of that up with plants. Just those few shrubs on the left side might be enough when they mature. I would put a tree on the corner however.

You don't need shutters because the porch adds enough interest to your small house. You have a nice garage door that adds interest. The front door and screen door could be better. I would look into staining the steps a light brown or tan so they don't appear so utilitarian and cement-y. The color is so stark and I would think it will become dirty soon and detract from your home.

I'd put a bowl planter in the opening between the steps and the porch post for colorful flowers or an interesting succulent arrangement. You don't want a tall planter there, and you'd want one about 18" diameter.

Some ideas of bowls and arrangements here:

https://www.bhg.com/gardening/container/plans-ideas/succulent-container-garden-plans/

Is there somewhere else in your front yard where you could make a garden? An island bed around a tree perhaps? It would provide interest when viewed from the house and from the street. Could you take a photo of the entire yard?

Simplynatural nailed it!

Here are a few ideas:

What climate do you live in? I like Simplynatural's design. I'd make sure there are evergreens in the background of a plan like that, closer to the house. In the winter you will still have some interest left.

I think you need a stair railing and I agree that the rockers are too big for the space. I'd find something smaller or have a plant in a big pot by the door. Paint the garage door to blend with the brick. It is not a focal point.