If it isn’t structurally needed, why don’t you leave it off for now and see what you think? It could always be added later on.

No to the post. It is distracting.

No post, but will there be a railing where there isn't a step going down? It doesn't look high enough to require railing by code but a post would work to anchor the floating side of the railing and would then look better.

Try putting a railing in the picture and see how it would look.

No post!

Agree no post & also agree that as @Jilly says, it could be added later if you change your mind.Not sure about railing need either - maybe final grade will be higher? I’m wondering about steps.If final grade will require a couple of steps, could they be as wide as porch & cover the span?

Consider one post 18" from the left end of the beam, and one post 18" from the right end of the beam.

Why a post if not needed tell hubby to work on something else .How is the front entry being handled to get to the porch IMO more important. You need a step or 2 but it seems the house has little area for those steps.

Agree with Jinx, no post if not needed for structure support.

either none or 2. I'd probably go with 2 beefy ones and nice full width steps. You will really need something to bring that space to life and make it bolder to bring it forward visually since it's now playing second fiddle to the garage and right wing of the house.

You will need lighting, color, a great porch material, good looking steps, and landscaping to draw you there.

In thinking about making this decision, think about adding shutters to the house and the railing that will be required unless you grade the ground up to the front porch.

No posts and yes to grading to avoid a railing.

I would say no unless steps and a railing are part of the proposal and the post anchors those. Premier landscaping in front of the porch will be the key to drawing the eye to that focal area and away from the two extensions that overpower it.

First you need to know what your overall goal is for the exterior and what materials you will be using to accomplish that. Post vs. No Post is secondary to that question. Right now, you have a non-descript ranch, which is fine if that's your aim. Do you have a cohesive plan for the exterior yet? What does your architectural renderings dictate as far as colors and materials go?

"I'd probably go with 2 beefy ones and nice full width steps."

I agree 100% with just_janni.

Wow! Thank you everyone for the suggestions and comments!

Our plan originally had two posts but the left post would have ended up in the middle of the dining room windows. It would have looked equally awkward if we placed to the left of the windows very close to the house so we nixed it. Additionally, the front door is a 42" with a 14" sidelite. There is very little room for a post on the right side of the door if we were to add two posts to "frame" the front door (so to speak) and add steps between them. 

I can't stand shutters on a house, so no shutters for us. Our siding is vinyl in the color carbon. These homes and style is where I drew some of my inspiration from. 

The steps and railing are a great suggestion I had not thought of. I'm sure anyone who has gone through the build process knows that your mind struggles to constantly think of *all the things*. The foundation wall is a bit higher than normal due to the slope of the lot unseen in this photo, so more grading is definitely needed...The builder's recommendation is no concrete steps, sidewalk, etc until at least a year out so that probably caused us to slip on thinking about the steps.

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No posts or shutters or railings or any knick-knack throw-back looking trim at all. SO 20th Century. No, not even front steps, they are more uneeded busy detail, a tripping hazard and only for show. Grade the walk and softscape right up to the porch level, clean, effortless, safe. And you love MCM which is the spare and clean lines I have been describing. Even in Ohio lol.

Agree with no shutters with the carbon siding.

I love the carbon siding! Will you do the horizontal planking under the porch as your second inspiration pic shows?

Given your inspo pics, I would not do shutters or a post. Adding horizontal planking would be enough to draw one's eye to the front door. I would add a really cool wall sconce between the dining window and the door. I wish you didn't have the soffit boxes and longer eave overhang but I don't think that can be changed easily now. However, I really think you could accomplish most of what your second pic has. Good luck!

This is not your house, and not a refined sketch, but it illustrates my previous comment's concept of using two columns.

Columns that are unneeded stucturally are just another decoration. Aren't we all tired modern homes slapped with ranch or colonial themed brick-a-brack tacked on? C'mon people.

🤣

Mark does it again!