Yes to shutters. Nice house, but looks unfinished.

I think it looks great without shutters and that they would make it look cluttered.

It "needs" shutters...the windows look like they were spaced for shutters. Did your architect draw them originally? Ask him/her their thoughts. The garage looks particularly unfinished without them, though.

In your case, I vote for shutters. As long as they are sized correctly.

You're welcome. So which one do you prefer?

I usually vote for no shutters, but in your house the windows and spacing were designed for them. If I was going to build your house with no shutters I would have made the windows bigger and added wider/beefier trim.

Only have shutters if they are functional as shutters.

I do not mind the look without the shutters.

This is a house design that is conducive to shutters.

Why no windows on the second floor side of the house?

If it's to look like a true farm house, no shutters. If it's in town in a subdivision, it needs shutters. I agree with cpartist that the shutters must be wide enough to actually close and should be on hinges, not screwed to the siding. If you can't afford this, leave it bare and do it later or not at all.

cpartist - Like it 100% with shutters and 75% without... Guess was trying to convince myself it looked fine without because it is a big expense.

Mark - Yes they would be functional. I too don't mind it without shutters. But agree that it is better with. Originally the kitchen was 2 story with clerestory windows. When we got rid of that the roof was lowered. Did not think to rearrange anything.

Anglophilia - It's 300' back on a few acres. You really can't see house through the trees. They will be on hinges.

I vote for shutters as well.

If cost is an issue and later, when you can afford them you really want them, do them then. This is not something that is more expensive and difficult later.

I much prefer it without shutters. Shutters change it from a contemporary looking farm house to a standard colonial. Maybe that's what you are going for though! I would vote that you leave them off and live with the house for a year and see what you think at that point. Looks great, I love the foundation!

I like without, you could always add them later. Lovely house!

I think the home looks better with the shutters, but there is no harm in living with it for a while without the shutters (as mentioned, they aren't more difficult or significantly more expensive to do them later. And you may decide in time that you prefer going without).

I'm a little torn, but I prefer without. It does make it look more contemporary (with the white paint) and clean. The shutters definitely change the style....

When I zoom in, I see white trim around, at least, some of the windows. Is it on all of them?

I prefer without. As others have mentioned, you can always add later.

I feel that if the windows had been larger, and with beefier trim it would be fine without, but right now without, the windows almost look like they're floating on the walls.

This is one of the rare houses I prefer with shutters.

This is one of the rare houses I prefer with shutters.

I vote without. With shutters it looks very traditional; without it looks farmhouse and that's my style.

I vote for. Never really thought a farmhouse was contemporary. 1753

Some shutter detail.