You don't have a lot of room with the driveway that close, but you might consider creating a cedar arbor -- just a few feet deep -- with a pair of cedar triangle supports in lieu of posts. Something like this:

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/468867011193117669/

Am challenged by perspective for post placement. Do you want them sitting on porch directly under the cross beam & the top trim on stone sticks out so means posts would be farther away from wall than wanted? How big around are these posts? Can you use a program like MS Paint to draw posts so you can have a better visual? Would placement of these posts block view of your nice farmhouse look porch lights? Is placement of posts on the outside of porch just to sides an option? They’d need a cement or solid base to sit on but maybe beefier posts would be possible with that placement.

Not at all a pro, so my advice may be worth what you pay for it. I have a house with a stone foundation, and all the structural elements sit on top of the foundation. In your case, isn’t the stone supposed to mimic a foundation wall? If so, it seems to me that if you add posts, they should appear to sit on the corners of the stone, going into the siding. Anyway, it looks fine to me the way it is now without posts.

Instead of the posts, why not some cedar flower boxes at each side of the porch. If you want height you could add trellises and put in climbing plants - clematis or ivy.

Trish, you’ve added questions to your initial one about post placement! I can’t visualize porch decor until you tell us what you’re doing about adding posts. But, I do have questions that, answered, will help with decor ideas! What are porch measurements & what’s the orientation - East, west etc?

If it was my house, I'd add a post at each end of the beam (same thickness as the beam) and space them approximately 6" clear of the stone veneer.

thanks all.

Porch is 12'x6'

the driveway goes around to the left [side load garage] to right of side walk is 'guest parking' there will be landscaping and light post at end of parking.

I know Exactly what 12’ wide x 6’ deep looks like - my mom’s apartment balcony! If you really want a chair you do have room for one smallish chair & side table with largish pots on opposite side. But I like a more balanced look & because the center of your house is so symmetrical I would put a large planter on each side of entry door. If you like farmhouse look, go for metal - washtubs, water trough, something like that. Or, match lamp hardware. Can’t recommend plants as still don’t know orientation of porch or climate either. I do like lyfia picture with posts.

on porch.

You could do two large cedar corbels on either side to frame the space. Two small benches facing each other on either side of the entrance in an interesting color might be nice. It depends on the space.

Consider adding a clear green house cover over a 3' or 4' deep cedar arbor that serves as a covered entry AND covered walkway that extends to the left so you can create a cedar portico (about 8'x8') with clear/greenhouse cover as your covered patio left of the entry for your chair.

large pic upper right -- there is a side door to this brick entry/portico:

https://www.front-porch-ideas-and-more.com/patio-ideas.html

https://www.google.com/search?q=front+patio+adjacent+to+front+porch&client=firefox-b-1-d&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi-royjxsPqAhUyhXIEHYPLBo4Q_AUoAXoECA0QAw&biw=1366&bih=654#imgrc=WE9s-f0wi2VD4M

thanks all. don't want to expand the front porch. Just want to enhance what is there.

What Virgil drew up. And, it allows you to put something like a bench on the porch, kind of sheltered by the post.

Have you considered extending the forward facing gable above the entry as a part of an actual portico roof with cedar posts.

Then there is a porch as a pergola.

https://www.trouveshome.com/the-necessity-of-bringing-back-front-porches/

Whatever you add on the ground, you need to take into account that your driveway is literally going to be against it.

Instead of trying to keep a dirt/green space between driveway and porch, you could actually be better served, for safety sake, to create a raised concrete floor to create a curb between the driveway and house from that angled left wing all the way to the right wing of the house all the way to the right side of the house ... the beginning of a raised sidewalk that could lead you elsewhere.

You could always set lined cedar planter boxes atop that. You could then widen the turn around/parking space to the right of the house either with more paving or use thick concrete on a properly packed base to outline the space with a "sidewalk" ... that could lead to other areas -- a patio and/or play area and/or a flower bed/bird bath, etc.

The person that made the decision to put the driveway that close to the house did your family no favors.

Love the corbel idea. you could go way over the top like these or something more mainstream to add interest to all the straight lines of the very attractive house. I see you have corbels on the window at the left. Do that but with more pizazz.

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You have a nice looking house that really doesn't need much.

Your yard appears to have great potential for enjoying the out of doors with the shade of a tree in the pic.

It does appear that you already have cedar triangle supports for the awning on the window on the left wing of the house.

Not a pro but, for what it is worth, a cedar arbor supported by triangle cedar supports over the porch niche -- you could be creative with its design -- and a curb/sidewalk from the exterior wall of that left wing of the house all the way to the right wing of the house would be my preference if this were my home and it is my recommendation for you as well.

Curious what you will choose. Please do post after pic.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/33917803424648963/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/481392647640912406/

(2nd pic) https://www.hgtv.com/outdoors/outdoor-spaces/15-portico-design-ideas-to-elevate-your-curb-appeal--pictures

(posts against structure) https://www.foreverredwood.com/the-garage-arbor-kits.html

(stone post to support the triangle arbor supports) https://www.pinterest.com/pin/260716265901163206/

https://www.flowerwindowboxes.com/Cedar-Gallery-s/245.htm

A couple of simple planters , maybe black, with colorful plantings. No bench- there’s not much room, and it’s unlikely that anyone will sit there. Maybe it’s my neighborhood, but I can’t recall a time when I saw anyone sitting out by the front door.

Have you considered some moving lawn furniture?

Adding a pair of cedar posts literally against the house attached to cedar boards wrapping the front porch corners -- to include "support" for the cedar header) -- posts that will actually be helping support triangles for a cedar arbor -- is the best option to enhance -- frame -- the porch by adding cedar without adding to the porch.

thanks all. I'm going to go with the combo of @Virgil Carter Fine Art and @lyfia. [well not the Rhinos].

@flopsycat1 my current neighborhood I sit on front porch often. It overlooks a creek and is pretty and that type of neighborhood.

New neighborhood where I'm moving is not the same. We will have a large back porch but I still wanted a landing place to welcome guests.

Appreciate the help.

Thank you Trish for closing your post out with so much grace! I’m sort of sorry though about your passing on the rhinos as I thought they added a touch of whimsey.😆 I too live in a neighborhood (@ 12 years old) where homes have front porches and many folks do use the chairs on them - especially in these days of social distancing. Im certain your future guests will feel very welcomed entering through your front door.

Remove the cedar header. It doesn't go well with your other exterior finishes.

Agreed that 1 or 2 planters or something else decorative would look great.

I think you have come up with the perfect solution!