Is the door wood & in good shape? It looks pretty & I wouldn’t paint it it. I’d add color with nice chairs on porch, a big statement pot filled with color at left of door. looks like landscaping at entry would really enhance.

I'd be more interested in changing the porch floor and the dark trim. Get a larger light fixture (1/3 of the door's height) and focus on the landscaping so it will look great next spring. Meanwhile, you can add some mums for color this fall.

I like the door as is. I would do the floors in a darker gray, and I would do the trim around the door in black to match your windows. I also agree, you could use some nicer landscaping, and a couple of colorful chairs, and maybe some potted plants for color.

I like the wood-tone door, but -- if forced to paint it a color -- I'd go teal. It's dark /strong enough to stand against the black window trim, and it would blend nicely with the tan siding. I'm usually a red door person, but this house doesn't feel like it has a red door vibe.

Having said that, I'd ask what colors will a guest see upon entering the living room? In a perfect world, the front door would give a hint about what lies beyond.

I'm concerned about that two-level porch; specifically, I'd be concerned about someone taking a step back, not recognizing the step exists and falling. How would it be to paint the upper porch step a solid color /stencil a pattern in coordinating colors on the lower level /place a large plant on the lower level right by the door to emphasize STEP HERE, FOLKS.

Do you have just one light on this porch? The light feels small -- a light should be 1/4-1/3 the height of the front door. I'd like to see more light, and this ties into the fear of people not seeing the step.

Finally, I'd like to see some colorful plants just beyond the porch.

Great commecomments! Ok I will keep the door as is and focus on the color of the porch first. Landscaping is coming but we will do the whole yard at once after we’ve done some hardscaping. I will also focus on a big pot to the left of the door and find a nice chair. Thank you everyone!

I agree that the door is lovely as-is. And the painted porch floor is atrocious.

Actually, your porch floor bugs me because of the step-down to the porch. Like Mrs. Pete said above. I’d fall down that numerous times and so would my visitors. It’s odd.

I think I’d engage someone to change that to all the same level - just build a wood box over the whole thing. Stain the wood to match the front door.

Mrs Pete, there are some beautiful teal planters at a nursery nearby I’ve been thinking about - I agree that i think that color would look great. The porch light is usually bigger than that - we took it down to center it and I broke a ring that holds the light cover to the base but it’s getting replaced. I would like to replace it at some point - just torn on the style to go with since my home doesn have a distinct ”style.” Funny enough, the difference in height has never bothered me or my guests. The step seems to be wide enough to be comfortable. But I do really like the idea of a planter just to the left to highlight CHANGE IN GRADE. Thanks again everyone!!!

You could consider an outdoor rug or outdoor floor tiles (wood, pavers, whatever else they make) just to see what the options are. There are issues with each of these, but thinking about them may help some of your design ideas come together.

Kelli I love the idea of a rug for some color! Thank you!

Mrs Pete, there are some beautiful teal planters at a nursery nearby

Teal is a strong color -- take care not to over-do it. If you paint the door teal, I'd say get three planters, only one of them in teal. That'd be enough for a tie-in, but it wouldn't overwhelm.

Funny enough, the difference in height has never bothered me or my guests. The step seems to be wide enough to be comfortable.

Yeah, but it only takes once to hurt someone -- and, even though you know about the step, it could even be you!
You could consider an outdoor rug

I said stencil the porch floor, but a rug would work just as well.

Oooh, I like your house! You could go on BM's website and see what colors they coordinate with your wall color. Do a deeper dig, so you see related colors, different depths, etc.

I actually like your current door.

Yes, absolutely widen the stair. You could have your arms full of groceries and mis step 'cos you can't see where you're going. Very dangerous. Don't forget, you have to anticipate package drop-off folks, furniture (like a new bed) delivery, all kinds of possibilities, slipping on frost or damp from a fog, and you might be liable.

Thank you, I like our house too! I will definitely talk to my husband about widening the stair.

If you are going to widen the step-up, consider installing decking all the way across the porch level with the step. That would be fun. A little more maintenance, and you would have to see how it hits the bottom of the rails. You might be able to remove the rails, or if you like them, add rails to meet the step, then you may not have to widen it or install decking. (Posts likely need to stay.)

Regarding deliveries, I have found that some delivery people rarely step all the way into the porch if they don’t have to. Think about where they typically leave packages near your door. You may not need to widen the step for them.

Ha! Fedex just delivered a big box. They used the first 2 of the 4 steps up to my porch. That way, they didn’t have to bend over as much.

Love the front door. Personal taste, I do not like wreaths made with faux greenery/flowers. Your door is gorgeous enough to leave it unadorned. Transplant the tree, remove the railings, level the "porch floor" to meet the front step and make new and larger entry area. Not all has to be under the roof...

Update! Painted the porch this weekend. Got a nice green/teal pot to go next to the door. Designed a wood bench/stair widening project and agreed to remove the railing in front.

Thanks all for the ideas and motivation!

I like the railing there, and would leave it. Gives a bit of privacy if you are sitting out there too. I like the porch color.

@Dana Brechwald Nice job! What a difference the new porch floor color makes. Are you planting an evergreen in pot? Consider putting it on a saucer to protect porch from water draining & also place on pot wheels for easy moving aout of the way for cleaning etc. Another suggestion since seeing your porch up close - change out your house numbers to big square black ones. You could use double size of what’s there now.