Somebody out there must have a good pointer for me! :)

Sorry, but the house isn't meant for shutters. You cannot put only one shutter on a window, and the large window under the porch is too big for shutters.

Such a charming cottage- no shutters needed here.

Ugh, really? I kind off had my heart set to shutters. That is too bad that you all think it's a no-go! Thank you for your input.

Shutters should be the size that if you had a "storm" you could close over the windows to protect your glass. Sooo...the lower window shutters would look small in the space, the upper left window would not be able to have a left side shutter so it would look off balance. Then, the upper right window shutters space isn't wide enough to accommodate the proper size shutters without covering the entire space between the door and the opposite side. Hence....shutters would not look right on your house. Sorry,. :(

Hi there. I have some options for you. You can do shutters, and on the one window it would balance if you did a bifold shutter, or a single shutter to cover the whole window. It would add some balance, but given the size of the window, you may prefer the bifold (where the full shutter folds over itself, but can allow for coverage of the full window when opened.

There is also the option of adding a Bermuda shutter, which hangs from the top, and adds shade and ventilation.

Thank you, Darzy. Those are some good points.
I forgot to mention that the 'small lower window' does not exist in this form anymore as we put in a new, bigger one to balance the facade. But we put the trellises on each side with star jasmine vine to create climbing frame around it.

Timberlane Inc: those are some fantastic ideas, thank you so much for helping me think out of the box. I appreciate those tips as it keeps me hopeful there is a solution for me out there. :)

Have you considered installing a different fence? White pickets would enhance the cottage feel, and landscaping at the foundation to hide the gas meter and lessen the vertical feel of the house would really help with curb appeal. The chain link fence is not doing your home justice.

Yes, bluenan! In fact this is the photo from our Real Estate agent before we bought this property (I do not have current one because the large tree and leaves are blocking the view and I couldn't make a new photo at the right angle). The fence is changed as well as gas meter hidden behind miniature alberta spruce.
Good eye and great tips! :)

The windows are too pretty for shutters .. .except the lower front one - that would be great with a bermuda shutter. . . since it is missing the fancy transom of the uppers . . and is the only one with a privacy issue, you can hang the bermuda shutter high enough to echo the scale of the upper windows - get a new entry door instead - something with a glass transom so the header heights line up? classic shaker lines?

bogna, I agree shutters probably wouldn't work. You might think about larger borders/frames around the windows. Love the suggestion from Darzy for window boxes. As you can see in the photo, they can add a lot!

Thank you, Guys. This is overwhelming vote against and I will listen to that.
After all, I asked you for a reason and I will take the advice (even though my heart sank just a little tiny bit, ha ha).
One can not have it all! :)
Sometimes it is easy to forget that the curb appeal is all about first impressions, and you all just gave me that. I was looking and over analyzing the facade for too long I suppose, coming to a bad conclusions at the end :)
Thank you all for your ideas and fresh approach.

Shutters will ruin the house- all you will see are the shutters and besides there is no architectural space for shutters. To enhance the house paint the porch posts and beams the same color as the railing spindles. This will make the porch stand apart from the wall and make the space feel much larger and more convivial. Paint the ceiling and all the soffits the same white to make the house feel whole. Remember and small house wants to make a small statement to look its best. The idea for a picket fence is also most excellent. Not only will it dress it up but it will make the home occupy the whole yard, Essentially the house will then start at the sidewalk making it feel larger and more important. Then paint the door a nice color that will please you when you come home.

Thank you! You are making me all excited about the project all over again :)

We are in the process of spicing up our exterior. We just had new vinyl siding installed and we would like to add exterior shutters. It seems so stark and bare on the back of the house. I'm thinking black flat panel or half louvered shutters. I want them to look real as well with the operable hardware.

Should I just opt out and leave it 'as is'?

Also, anybody have experience with PVC, vinyl or wood shutters?

Thank you in advance for your input.

cream