All I can sat TIna is that is a very cool front entrance you have ALREADY! I will be watching this thread with interest because I am working on redoing my folks house back entrance, which is very much like yours, except instead of the porch area where your chairs are, theirs is screened. And there are two steps down to the ground, which adds to the complexity of my situation. And I want to add a fountain just about where yours is! And redesign the walkway. I am still in the hemming and hawing stage.

Thank you for the feedback! We definitely have plans to make the trim around the windows thicker and painted white. We know shutters aren't technically correct because they would be too small and obviously not functional, but there is just so much beige vinyl we wanted find a way to cover up as much as possible!

Maybe a outdoor rug and some metal art on the back wall. Paint a turquoise blue or some brighter color. Or a wreath even if you like them. Like this:https://www.wayfair.com/decor-pillows/pdp/three-posts-4-piece-wall-decor-set-thps3885.html Even if you find something thats more for indoor use a coat of Rust-Oleum spray paint would give it enough protect in that covered area. I would definitely paint the entryway white or some other much lighter color to brighten it up. A colorful pot with dried flowers or pine cutting for fall/winter. You can paint a red clay pot with any acylic indoor or outdoor paint. It weather's off a bit over time and looks "rustic".

the problem with eliminating the decking the connects the porches with the front of the house is that we use the front porch a lot and enter the house there frequently.. so it would be strange not to have decking connecting the front porch and front door. i like the idea of eliminating the railing at the front of the house where its not needes though, and landscaping is happening we were just waiting to start that until the porch is redone so we arent tearing landscape out!