Not sure what your budget is, but one option is to rebuild the front covered entry and have it span the entire width of the house, and consider repeating this basic form in future additions such as a garage if there isn't one already.

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Hi flair lighting. The back door over by the laundry is the one that would be used by us day to day. as the cars will be parked around the back of the house (maybe under a carport later on) away from our view. When guests arrive they will come in through the front door, which we are having some design issues with. We like it so when you open the front door people can't see straight into your living area. you never know who's gonna knock on your door! i really hear you about the fact that it leads to the bedrooms, but really unsure how to remedy this.also the laundry is by the back door so when you do the washing you can easily nip out the back door to the washing line which is out the back also away from view. our coats and shoes can be stored in the laundry also. was thinking lisa, that maybe a bench seat against the wall as you walk in the front door with a couple of coat hooks for guests? Lol we dont really get guests. In our current home i can count on one hand the amount of times the front door gets used. we just access through our internal garage.... any thoughts.

Very , very nicely done , and clever too ! It looks like you have used the existing windows and joinery , added those white gloss pillar 'covers' to modernise the whole look , and the lattice centre piece not only adds interest , but would also add light around the front door too . It also looks like you have added a garage on the right hand side , all in the same style to tie it all in . Like Courtenay , I love the entrance , although just personally , I would have done the gate in a slightly darker stain -- it looks a bit light ( to me ) in comparison with the shingles , and the painted brick -- especially as the gate will fade , the bricks not so much . Really , my only 'picky' bit . Well , apart from the copy writer , who has a heading about a Hamilton makeover , then talks about Tauranga architects and Tauranga's Fraser Street haha -- a small error , but why ?