I would extend support across the porch so that you only have three columns. Two flanking the front door and one on the end, left as you look at the house. I hate to see columns in front of a window as you currently have.

6x6 fluted columns would look very nice

Great idea. Not sure how difficult it is to extend the support. But yeah I don’t like how it is blocking the window either.

Also, I’m thinking the 6x6 since it may get too crowded with anything wider. But it’s hard to say.

I agree with Typeandrun. One less column makes more sense and will look better. I would go with posts at least 10x10, not 6x6 or 8x8. They should be chunky so they will need to be built and not solid wood. Not sure what you mean by "too crowded". It's 3 posts over the span of, what, 15 feet? The posts are only supporting the roof of the porch so I think the support with bigger posts would be fine. I would put posts on both ends and (since you are removing railing) one in the middle. Btw, you have a lovely house!

I'm with Brown Dog, 3 10x10 would be very nice.

Are the current ones 4x4? I would get poster board and cut it to 6”, 8”, 10”. Stick it the current columns and see which one looks more proportional.

Agree, beefier will look so much better.

Before and After Gallery · More Info

10" x 10" with no column blocking the windows. Not sure why changing columns would give you a craftsman or farmhouse look, which are much smaller scaled and often do have porch railings.

Massachusetts Farm House · More Info

Here are some beefier columns in a craftsman-ish style house with no railings. Yours are awkwardly place and too thin for such a huge house.

Fort Langley home · More Info

You already have at least 4x4 columns, so 6x6 would be an insignificant change. Not woreth thr trouble. Go bigger

Maybe you can get away with 3 columns with bracing. I would also soften the appearance of the shutters

Make sure that your city building code will allow you to take the railing down. Hard to tell from your photo how high off of the ground your porch is. Some codes can specify a railing needed for as little as 2' off of the ground.

What other changes are you making?

The landscaping you have in mind is wonderful! Often owners of new homes try to change features they don't like and don't always consider how much well-designed new landscaping will improve everything. And, of course, there's the pleasure of looking at something natural and colorful. Good luck!