Yesterday I posted about a rounded shaped door as a nice way to give character to your home. Here's another tip: dark colored hardiplank siding and wide white trim. Also cedar shingles with white trim look amazing.
In the area I live EVERYONE covers their house in vinyl siding with like colored trim. I think it looks boring and cookie cutter and I hate it. I know hardiplank siding is a bit more expensive but if your looking for alternatives ways to pretty up a small house without adding square footage (which can be WAY more than siding), covering your house in something like this is sure to make it POP and look more expensive.