I would think adding posts would be very easy and not cost you and arm and a leg, however, be careful about removing a post that may be load-bearing. Also, always check your local building codes. Railings shouldn't be problem. Sure, post pictures if you can, they always help.

Thanks caminnc, I didn't think it would be too hard either, but DH is not necessarily a willing DIYer, so I want to get as much information about it as possible before adding it to our "honey do" list. Here is a pic of the house we took right after moving in. It's the only picture I have handy right now, but at least it shows the porch area pretty good. thanks

{{!gwi}}

Caminnc is right about the load bearing question. You wouldn't want to remove a post and have the roof fall down; the damage to you and your home could be severe.

I'd suggest googling and also talking with your local lumber store folks or hardware store folks in the lumber department -- and take pictures with you, including closeups.

I think what you're planning is an excellent idea!

If it were me, I would call a few contractors out to the house, to give you their opinion of the situation and an estimate of how much they would charge you to do the work.

You will get a LOT of information from them, as you talk to them, about how much work is involved, and whether the post you want to move is load-bearing.

That's a great idea, Mclarke. She can find reviews on them on the Yellow Pages online, and on Angies list. She might even find a good deal and not have to do it herself. Ya never know till you ask. Of course if you're sure you're not going to hire someone, making them come out to your house is kind of like stealing time/money/help from them.

Looking at the photo, I can't see that you need to move or add columns or a railing. The railing is going to box you in, and a third column is one more obstruction to work around with furniture placement.

Oceana - Thanks so much for the suggestions! I actually have a superb contractor who is doing our Master Bath and have mulled over whether I should talk to him about it or not. I guess it can't hurt to ask, right?

Mclarke - Thanks for the feedback, makes me feel like I'm on the right track. I've always wanted a sitting porch and think it will add character to the front.

I can't see that you'd gain anything by moving the column. You could perhaps move it closer to the window, but then you'd likely need another to the right of the door. Why don't you just try decorating and see if it really obscures your view right now while you're sitting there?

My porch only has a railing at the end since there are only 2 steps up the front (but a big drop at the end). I haven't moved the porch rocker back out (in basement for winter) and it's been raining, but maybe DH can move it tomorrow and I'll take pics for you. We only have the rocker and a couple of ceramic planters on the porch, though, still need a chair or 2, a table, and maybe a swing. So won't give you much of an idea for decorating, but at least you can see how you like a porch with no railing.

Thanks ajsmama, I appreciate that and would love to see a picture. Yes, I want to remove the one centered post & add 2 posts, one by the entry & another in the middle so it's more balanced. My plan wouldn't call for a lot of furniture, just his & hers rocking chairs and a small table to hold drinks. In front of the porch is what should be a flower bed, but is filled with brick pavers. I want to remove the bricks, plant a garden & have planters hanging on the rails. I have this picture in my head, but as with most things, it's hard to put it into reality.

I haven't forgotten! Took kids to Civil War enactment today, movies tomorrow AM but afternoon DH promised to help me finish mulching so we'll get the rocker back on the porch and take pics then.

I think a flower bed would be nice (I don't have much for flowers now that we're in season b/t daffodils and roses). Hanging planters maybe? If you put up a rail it will obscure your view, esp. with windowbox type planters hanging on it.

Ask your contractor where he would have to place columns if you're replacing 1 with 2. Don't want on right in front of the window! What are the porch dimensions exactly and where is the existing support? Where is the window?

Excuse me if I'm barging in here, but I think that if you planted something climbing up that post (clemetis or morning glories) and then set out some seating to the right of it (as seen in the photo) that would look beautiful. Wicker? Cast iron? The porch looks lovely regardless.

I don't know what you could put (if anything) between the existing column and the door, but I think you'd have a pretty nice seating area with a rocker on either side of the window and a small table under the window. No railing (not necessary - it looks like your floor is only a few inches above grade?), no planters to obscure the view, but a low flower bed and maybe some hanging baskets - but not hung too low. Maybe just one huge hanging basket by the door?

Wow, skibby, that's a great idea. Hadn't thought of that. Have my heart set on the railings, but hmmm..another option to consider.

ajsmama, that window was originally the laundry room but since moving that upstairs, it's become a walk in pantry. I wish I felt comfortable taking a pic of the other home I want to mimic, it's so darn sweet the way they have it fixed up. I'm just concerned that they may not appreciate having their home posted on internet. I've never measured the porch but best guess is it's about 20 feet long, and 4.5 - 5 feet wide. Just a nice size for the rockers & table. That pic is a couple years old, and I already have the baskets hanging (mothers day present from DD :c), and that adds a lot to the front. I really appreciate your feedback, and will watch for the picture. I knew I could depend on the Decorating forum for help! ---Lukki

Someone down the road has a really cute porch, maybe the same size as yours, no railing, couple of rockers, but I didn't think they'd want me to take/post a pic either!

We didn't finish mulching after movie b/c it rained and DD is sick (sore throat and fever), so double porch rocker is still in basement. DH went to HD Mem Day for sale on mulch and I asked him to get geraniums on sale too, he only got two in 4" pots so my planters by front door are sorry looking. We're still working on the walkway and low stone walls in front of the plantings. And just to get all my apologies for landscaping out of the way, the lawn has no grass - just clover - and DH can't get the old riding lawnmower my dad gave us running again this summer.

But here is my 7ft x 48ft porch, with stone wall I built last year (just have to get white vinyl trim board on the front to hide pressure-treated and on the front of steps, and final course of stone up)! I think your porch will look fine w/o railing, just planters. If the window doesn't need a view, then maybe you could change columns, but why spend the $$? Try decorating 1st and then see.

{{!gwi}}

Closeup left with DR windows

{{!gwi}}

Closeup right with drop-off end, with railing

{{!gwi}}

HTH!

thanks so much for the pics, you're very sweet! You've got a big porch! I bet it's really cute when you have it all set up. Wasn't that a great sale at HD!? We took big time advantage of the sale on their mulch ourselves! Even with as nice as the porch looks without it, I still have my heart set on putting the railings up. It's just a look that I dearly love. I think they'd look nice on yours too! Although your lucky, your posts are already in the perfect spot should you ever decide to put some up. Oh well just one more thing on our list of things to do. Seems like we've been updating forever and there's no end in sight. BTW, love the garden you have in front too, very pretty! :c)

lulliirish, Would you consider doing a screened in porch? I think that might be very nice place to sit out at night. I would also add shade screens inside to create privacy and to keep the sun out when you want to. I would place an outdoor seating arrangement, lamps on tables, a coffee table. Make it a real room. Maybe even outdoor ceiling fans would be nice.

If you add a column make sure it frames out the window properly. Do not place a column in a spot where it blocks your view from the window.

Good luck. Get some contractor estimates. Ask your neighbors for references.

Hi,

I don't really think that you need to go to the expense of moving and adding a column and railing. Try the least expensive road first.

Some ideas:

You could put a wicker loveseat to the right of your pantry window, but it would be sideways....not facing the road. Would the view be good for someone sitting there facing that direction? Then put a chair to the left of the window at an angle. You could probably seat three people this way. Put a low bench type table under the window. Like this one.

This bench may not be the perfect size but you can get the idea of what I mean. You could put so many cute and colorful things on this with the extra shelf below.

Now you have the large space between the door and the chair. I am thinking maybe shutters for your door and then maybe a good size palm to the right of the shuttered door. OR instead of the palm maybe put a barn star in that space instead of the palm. I hesitate to say barn star because they are much over used right now, but this way you could get the picture of what I am saying. I kind of like the palm because it puts something on the floor. OR you could find a large wood American flag(Ebay) and hang in that area (more color) . Also a round container of flowers on the floor on either side of the column. This way it will soften the column and not look so tall. It looks like you might have some gingerbread at the tops of your columns already. This is nice but thinking you could go bigger on that. Might be ok when the flower containers are there.

Maybe somone could photo shop this for you. Hope this will give you some ideas. Putting a railing there will make the porch even more narrow and you won't be able to see the cute decorations from the road!!