How high is that porch? Is there a local ordinance requiring the railing because of its height? If not, take down the railing and throw it away. And then plant something low around the porch. Is there a sidewalk leading to it? And I agree with the doors comments. They are not suitable for your house.

You will need to plan to water frequently. Generally where are you located such as nearest large city and state or country? What is happy as a potted plant in NH might not be the same as TX. What is the light level like over the course of the day? It looks quite shaded from this photo. Have you considered pots with vines such as clematis or mandevilla vine growing up the wrought iron columns, or are you firm on wanting hanging plants?

Hi Folks - thank you for all of the great ideas. I always knew that step was undersized (we built the house 20 yrs ago and money was tight) but had somehow not Given it a second thought. I can totally see how it would transform the entrance to widen it and build a more gracious walkway. As to can see, we need much more than a paint job. We need an entire new landscape design. a couple of specific responses + yes those brackets are there to hold large, abundant hanging baskets which I usually purchase around Mother’s Day. They do give the front some interest in the summer. yes those “grey things” are planters, which I plant with greenery in the summer. I should have moved them after i Removed everything last fall but I was in a pandemic funk and didn’t get around to it. *shrug* I do plan to replace the coach lights when we paint with something more lantern-like. the house numbers are on the mailbox, which will also be painted. the columns are indeed just lumber nailed together to form a very crude style. No dimensional pieces with architectural flair - just boards. Good suggestion to see what’s underneath. Might be a quick fix to re-skin them. as for the Cracker Barrel color scheme - this made me laugh out loud. Glad I didn't know before now this is the association one makes when one sees our house. At least it will only haunt me until the painters come in a month or so. It’ll be a much more neutral palette with taupe grey, snowbound white trim and probably a navy door. Still working on that. thanks for the Izzy love. She’s a sweetheart. She’s a Coton de Tulear - which is in the Bichon family. Best dogs ever! thanks for your help. Definitely got the ideas flowing...and the budget - much to my husband’s dismay. Cheers to Spring!

One way to make window boxes low maintenance is not to fill the box with dirt but to put dirt into small pots and planters, root the plants in those and then put those inside the window box. With any window box or planter, frequent water and good drainage is most important. If i had just bought that house i would simply lighten up the porch woodwork, probably with a light green sage, but maybe some type of white. Then i woud live through at least the entire summer before making landscape and facade changes. The house is perfectly respectable as is, so no need to rush. You’ll know a lot more about how light affects the house and flower beds other things if you watch for awhile and you’ll end up with a better design-if you wait for more info.