black shutters, red door!

How about a deep grey like Benjamin Moore's wrought iron 2124-10 for both the door and the shutters? Flowers in red and other colors would help define the entrance.

Consider a nice dark brown, like Mink 2112-10 by Benjamin Moore.
http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/mink
Hope that helps. Charmean Neithart

You could do your door in some shade of green-like a sage, or a moss green. You could even do it in dark teal. I think that would coordinate with the brown that Ms. Neithart mentioned.
In terms of plants, I don't know where you live, of course, but you could plant some bulbs along the front of your house. They usually will bloom first in the spring, but even after the flowers die-like daffodils-the stalks are still left so you could plant some type of annuals in front of them. If you like chrysanthemums, they are evergreen so they make a nice backdrop all year long after they bloom, because they will be green in the winter, and in the spring you can plant the annuals like I mentioned-plus you can still use the bulbs, you just have to plan out where they will be planted, or get someone to do it for you. One thing about the chrysanthemums, though. This might be unusual, but when I was first married, I was trying to make our little apartment more "homey," and I bought this chrysanthemum that they wanted to get rid of for fifty cents. Well, the poor little thing looked like Charlie Brown's Christmas tree, both before and after, because after I planted it, we got loads of rain, and it really took off. I was shocked at how huge it got, as it got as large as a small shrub. So, if you do plant any, some of them might be grow really well and you might have to trim them, but I really think mine was an unusual case, as I have never seen one as big before, or after.
I also think your porch would look really nice with two larger lanterns on either side of the door.

Shutters and door should match, try a sienna. The garden suggestions made by other matter more.

I failed to mention, I live in South Carolina. Plants and shrubs would need to be heat tolerant. Also welcoming ideas on how to dress up the tiny porch. Love the suggestions on paint ideas so far! Leaning towards real door with brown shutters or olive door with black shutters. Keep the ideas coming. This is my first house and I want it to be adorable!

I would love olive with that. That is a thought I also had. How about taking out that short stretch of rails and adding a "beefier" post. Put some colorful pots on each side.

I was thinking that the rails tend to hide the door a little. I like your idea.

There are several discussion out here about "beefier" posts. One poster was told she couldn't add larger posts because of what boils down to the support system of the posts themselves, it seems-they are narrow, and their supports are narrow-so pros have told her it wasn't doable, as it seems there just isn't room to seamlessly replace the narrow ones. Having said that, obviously you wouldn't necessarily have the same problem but it would be something that you might have to consider.
I can see the POV on removing the railings. However, I think that the way that the porch is now actually frames you door and takes the eye right to it. If you put things on the porch, like potted plants, then the railings do obscure those. Of course, you could remove the railings and leave the posts. If I were going to try and change over to large posts, I would see if I couldn't move them over where your porch roofline intersects with the roofline of the two front sections of the house that extend out from the sides of the porch. This would let you see the door, attractive porch lights, and any other accessories.

I think it would open up the space. You might put a chair or bench and some pots. Have fun!

lucindane, not sure about what the posts are you refer to concerning narrow posts and support, but columns can be wrapped to appear heftier, no need to be removed and replaced.It's simply aesthetic.I can't imagine why that would present a problem.There must have been a very specific reason I imagine.

Back to colors: the teal door is a great idea if you don't want a Chinese red/orange door. I vote for the teal if not a red.

Teal door and dark gray or brown shutters?

I would do black shutters to "tie in" with the roof. For your door, you might want to try a sample jar of Valspar's Greenwater 5003-4A. It's a pretty, soft green and not as blue or grey as the their website displays it. I love it on my house which is light grey with black shutters and white trim. Previously, my door was a bright cranberry red which I also loved, but got tired of. I first saw a front door painted with Greenwater on a light tan house similar to your color and it looked great.

Sunny (yellow) or double red Knockout roses might be pretty as a replacement for your shrubs They don't require a lot of maintenance, are supposed to have a lovely scent (the Sunny yellow variety) and bloom up to nine months. I think the bushes grow from 3 - 4 feet tall so I'm not sure if they would work in front of your windows, however.

A potted flowering plant ( high enough to show over your railing) on a small painted cast-iron garden chair or table would look nice on your front porch. I would also put up a slightly larger lantern in black next to your door and a metal house number (or address) plaque on the left side. Just some suggestions, of course!

Love your suggestions nanlu! I will check out that color, and the roses just might work.

I agree, black shutters to "tie-in" the roof. Then go for a big, bright splash of color on the door.... it's receding so I don't think it would be too obnoxious. A bright teal or green, maybe. Though my first choice, though I know you're sick of it, is a bright and glossy red, to pick up the red in the brick.

Thanks, I hope one or more work for you. I forgot to say congratulations and good luck with your first home!!!

Well, I was just referring to another discussion about wanting larger posts. The other person's problem was that they couldn't have a larger post, period, because the support is too narrow. So, wrapping some material around the existing post still wouldn't be an option, it seems, in their case because the support is only as wide as the current posts are. Now, why this couldn't be corrected, the poster didn't explain; they only said the contractor said they couldn't do it. I mentioned it here because the subject of replacing their posts with larger ones came up. Chances are that they wouldn't have the same concerns, but its nice to know what kind of problems others run into, IMO, just in case you do have the same one. I can see where being able to just encase an existing post in some kind of material would have some advantages if you just wanted the posts to be bigger and were keeping it in the same location, and if it didn't cost more than replacing it with a larger, "real" wooden one.

this would be a fabulous blue https://www.houzz.com/discussions/what-is-the-color-name-so-i-can-but-this-dsvw-vd~38035 The actual color is Down Pour Blue 2063-20, Benjamin Moore

I like the light color that is there, going to a dark color would darken the area an make it cave like. I would not go with bigger posts because it would separate the area and look less inviting.

Black shutters and Teal door! Everyone has red, Be different!

What did you end up doing to your door and shutters?

Sage, teal, bittersweet, pumpkin, emerald, and lilac are all possibilities.