I would consider updating your railing and replacing the columns with more substantial ones. Bigger light fixtures would be an easy update.

I think your porch concrete is fine, I would spend the money on wider steps, something with a nice curve.

Your house is very cute as is but a few upgrades would make a big difference.

Thank you very much! Do you have suggestions on the columns? Faux stone or vinyl? I was thinking also of replacing the light fixtures, now I absolutely will.

I think white vinyl would look best and more cottagey. Faux stone doesn't relate to anything else you have on the front of the house. You don't want to introduce too many new surfaces, it will end up looking busy and not calm and cottagey.

Replacing the balustrade/front door/porch lights is all that is needed to achieve an updated cottage vibe. Replace the spindle posts/balusters with straight square posts/balusters. A divided lite front door painted a charcoal color and larger modern lantern type exterior porch lights would complete the updates. Deck railing planters would be a nice addition to bring some flowers and greenery into the mix.

Oh Btw, I’m a different Susan…not the OP!

Thank you very much! So helpful! I see exactly what you are saying!

My notification said "Susan and Susan replied ...", I had never seen that before! : )

deegw LOL, (2) different Susans :)

Thank you Susan, love your suggestions! Could you please show me an example of a "divided light front door"?

Please provide a photo of the house when standing in the front yard towards the street (or even in the street) that gets the full gable, stairs, and railings straight on so the image can be photoshopped.

Hello Beverly, this is a few years old but basically how it is now other than paved upper driveway and river rock vs blue rug juniper on banks (house sits high above the road. Looks small but really extends out back, on about an acre with white cape cod fencing in part of back yard.

Your existing turned columns and spindles are quite cottagey. I'd focus on adding flowers to your beds.

Your house is very cute! I think much wider front steps would make the entry feel more welcoming and the porch feel more comfortable, less confined. That would allow you to cut way back on the amount of railings you need. I'd probably consider having lower railings as well. A lower profile railing combined with a couple of large, colorful planters with beautiful evergreen plants that live on the porch year round would create an inviting space looking from the street or inside the house. Good luck with your project!

einportlandor THANK YOU! So, in widening the steps would that basically do away with the front railings? Just have side railings? I've owned the house for about 3 years and the off center front railings bother me. LOL

Susan -- You could get rid of the front railings entirely and have the front stairs go the entire width of the porch or just make the stairs wider and the railings skinnier (my first inclination). If you're redoing the stairs you could also turn them into a bit of a feature by making them deeper, adding a a railing to match the porch railing, etc. -- I love gracious stairs leading to front doors. I think you need to make these decisions as part of your overall landscape plan. Stand out on the street and visualize how these options might work, look into costs and go from there. You're on the right track -- keep going! P.S. A fabulous door always helps!

Thanks again einportlandor! Wonderful ideas, I will be discussing with my contractor. 100% agree on the fabulous door, I have been looking at them for MONTHS. I do not know much about design, just what I like and do not like BUT that being said, what do you think about and "arts and crafts" style door in keeping with the cottage "vibe" ? Half light, if that's even a term.

Wow Beverly thank you so much!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE the wider steps just as was suggested by einportlander It is wonderful to actually see it!!!! REALLY THANK YOU!!!

A door with four glass panels…wood if you want to stain it…https://www.lowes.com/pd/Creative-Entryways-36-in-x-80-in-Wood-3-4-Lite-Universal-Reversible-Raw-Unfinished-Slab-Door-Single-Front-Door-Solid-Core/5013299825 or fiberglass if you want a painted door…https://www.lowes.com/pd/Therma-Tru-Benchmark-Doors-36-in-TTB-Smooth-4-Lite-3-4-Lite-Flush-Glazed-Black-Right-Hand-Inswing-with-Brickmould-6-9-16-In-Jamb-Depth-Composite/5010179355

Thank you Susan, LOVE the style!!!

Beverly nailed it without going cottagy-y, craftsman, and opening up an iconic ranch style instead. Designs work best when they enhance the existing style of a house and not by trying to force it too much in a nunrelated direction. The cozy feel of the cottage style is there by making the front more porch friendly by widening the steps, beefing up the pillars, and removing the railings entirely,. Now that wide ranch style is shown at its best. Additionally, the house looks bigger and more connected to the landscaping--another homey touch. A couple Adirondack chairs on either side of the door would add to the welcoming feeling. Or black porch swings.

housegal200 Thank you! I absolutely agree! Beverly's suggestions are really making total sense. The suggestion of widening the steps has been offered by a few folks and now that is exactly the direction I am going, also eliminating the front railings, and squaring the columns. I will be sure to post project photos.

Check the safety codes before you remove all the railings..handrails may be needed as a safety feature…the white porch deck looks shiny?..slippery?

A shortcut could be to add railings along the narrower steps..creating a cute detail to your entry..that is more in scale with the size of your home,as well as

btydrvn Thank you! I spoke to my contractor last evening, he will be checking the codes and coming to measure. His idea is to use Trex and build over the existing small concrete steps, the width of the porch. He also suggests keeping the side railings but lower profile. The porch deck is really not slippery. Would love to hear any further input you have. Thanks again!

I would not do big containers at the bottom of the steps, I would update the landscaping to fill in that area, and bring some color and interest right up by the front entry with a rug, house numbers, lighting, maybe a small bench. It’s really cute!!

ShadyWillowFarm, thank you! I am already rug shopping LOL, also I decided on river rock in the landscaping and that is already installed, I wanted clean, minimal planting on either side of the porch because of the Japanese maples. Suggestions on what to add?

If you porch is less than 30" above the surrounding grade you shouldn't need a raling.

Norwood Architects THANK YOU! Does that include handrails on steps?

There are better ways to add a handrail to a few steps than what you have. They can be custom from an iron shop or purchased off Amazon

Thank you BeverlyFLADeziner! Love the idea.

I wouldn’t use fake wood ,anywhere, on a house like yours….and for safety reasons would definitely include railings for porch and stairs..since a fall could cause serious injury…lower side rails can be hazardous as well..easier to fall over..and a temptation for kids to climb on..and …fall off..

I have even seen adults perch on railings that are obviously not built for that..

btydrvn Thank you, understood. What would you use to widen the steps?

Your pictures of the porch as is show a cozy…safe ..outdoor space that is in good proportion with your house..as is…a big wide open staircase seems hazardous to me..out of scale..carpet on the porch and steps with railings …would be a nice decorative addition of color…and outdoor seating …in a proportionate entry size..the seating could be as minimal as side benches..

Thank you btydrvn, kind words. I am trying to update from the small entry to the porch, to me with the narrow stairs and front railing it looks more like a modular/trailer entry, not that there's anything wrong with those homes, I just want my entryway a bit more open and "worthy" of the front. It actually a deceivingly big ranch, on about an acre. I guess looking at the "big picture" is different. I am taking in all of the great input, meeting with contractor and concrete wizard within the week. Thanks again!

If you don’t sit out there ..big potted plants would be pretty on each side of the door..with or without the benches..the benches are most handy if you enter thru the front door with groceries or packages..if not ..just plants will enhance the entry and encourage visitors to enter there..

I might also consider painting the back wall section of the porch a matching white..to break up the long expanse of beige and make the porch a little more of a focal point