I can't believe we are doing it.....but.....we are selling our 2600 sf craftsman and moving around the corner to a 1500 sf 1980's ranch. Hello downsizing! Majority of the budget is consumed by the interior update and back porch addition. Painting the brick is not a option...at least, not now. I have a few ideas for a facelift and would appreciate advise/opinions. Remove tiny porch columns and railing. Replace with three cedar (stained) columns. Replace storm door with a cedar (stained) storm door. Definitely remove shutters from window under porch (wrong size) I'm not sure about removing all shutters. I don't think the existing shutters are the correct size. But I am concerned that removing them would make the home too plain. I would like to add cedar window boxes...I think. :) Shingles are dark grey. I really need help with paint colors for trim. I am considering removing the window muntins and painting the window sills black (inside and out) and trimming with a creamy white. Yikes! Make me nervous!! The windows are all wood and in excellent condition. If I keep the shutters, what color? Charcoal, Dark Blue/Navy, Olive Green? Of course, the landscaping will be redone. I really need some advise on exterior color choices and some of my ideas. I love this little ranch. She is so adorable! My style is mostly transitional - nothing too trendy.

It's a very cute house. Love the brickwork in the front. It's in great shape for a house that old!

I agree with you that the porch columns are too narrow…they need to be a bit beefier. Also agree that thicker window trim would be an improvement as would a front door with sidelights and wider trim. Agree that coach style garage doors with windows would also enhance the front of your home. As far as the shutters go, the main problem with them is that they are inappropriately sized for the windows as well as installed incorrectly….they are basically “pasted” alongside the window frames. They should have hinges and shutter dogs for a more authentic look which would also give them more dimension rather than looking so flat. So….I would enlarge the columns, install wider window trim, and start with replacing all the upper shutters with properly sized ones (each shutter should be sized so that it could potentially cover half of the window if you were to imagine closing them). And then install them with shutter dogs and hinges. And as suggested, not use a louvered style. I would also consider a cedar material using a natural stain on them or paint them the same color as your front door, or plain black. Examples of properly sized and installed shutters… Garage door option…

Thanks so much for all of these ideas! I've already pruned the rhodo significantly and am working on the Japanese laurel (I think it will need to be removed completely as its base is only a foot from the foundation). Planning to add a box wood to the left of the door and do some edging soon. @simplynaturalLove your ideas. Interestingly, there were blue shutters on the house when we bought it (see picture) but I took them down because I didn't like the blue. I agree the black looks much better, especially if we go with a gray roof. @housegal200We actually have 2 Japanese maples in the front! Old picture from the summer added to show the more mature one. Is this what you were thinking?