For me I would keep the entrance as is, just add some wide deep steps up to the verandah on the long side. Once you add the additional verandah it will look lovely, lucky you

I think it’s functional as is. Most of the time you greet visitors and head to the kitchen/living area anyway. If you’re worried about door knockers consider a video door bell.

I sgree with leaving the entrance where it is. The chairs looks nice there, perhaps some potted plants to further define the area.

You could change the sliding glass door to a traditional door and sidelights if you want more difinition.

What about changing the sliding door to french doors?

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I'm not happy with walking straight into the kitchen though. Maybe putting in a real front door as you suggested 'me me' and lg-eg and adding a wall inside to enclose a small entry area ? I've drawn some changes in red. The kitchen will be getting remodelled and the very long kitchen bench will be shortened. A short wall here would create a less open kitchen to hide the fridge.

Perhaps you could consider something like this

Owww, great idea!

I'd normally suggest building some sort of portico but given the sloping eaves it makes anything tricky to add on.

I'm so glad I asked for ideas! It really opens up my options. I'm starting to think using the front verandah as an entry is an option.

'oklouise' we have ample parking away from the house, and I like your idea of enclosing part of the smaller verandah. We will be covering the ugly concrete (euphemistically called 'alfresco' in the real estate plan) with paving probably. I'm thinking that a 2.4 metre wide verandah across the front of the house would provide enough shelter for an entry, but not enclosed.

This what I had considered for your new entry as per above, you would actually arrive into the dining area and turn left to the kitchen or right to the living and view. The sliding door into the kitchen could be kept or changed into a window to allow light into the house, not sure of your aspect.

Because it's your retirement house you could go without a bath and have a larger shower with extra space.

Also considered a master suite looking out to the view.

Thanks siriuskey, I like your idea for the entry. We are going to use the middle bedroom as our main bedroom (with the views). We thought we would live in the house a while to see if having the bathroom across the hallway is ok for us. If not we will build out onto the end of the deck and use the smaller 3rd bedroom as an ensuite and walk through or built in wardrobe. We need to have 3 bedrooms for all the visitors :)