I do see what you mean about it looking empty; a quick search on houzz came up with these with some windows with, some without since your other windows have no room for them

Or consider a windowbox under it.

Shutters on both lower windows wood look great! I would make them black and also paint your door and railings black.

No shutters! A window box would help fill the gap until your plants grow or you can add some bushes...

Yes just on the one to the right. Go dark wood hand made. Or painted dark

Thank you for your suggestion @acm when you say window box, you mean on the window ledge, so only add something below the window, and not to the sides? I feel the window is small in comparison to the amount of house/brick around it.

I would suggest having the window trimmed out with additional wood moulding to more closely match the other window. This will make it feel equally as special. I don't believe the upper windows need it but you could trim them as well. I also like the idea of a window box as mentioned above but am not in favor of shutters given there isn't room to do the above Windows.

I agree with the wood trim from the last post. And I would look for an address sign or welcome sign to hang between the window and the door similar to what was suggested before- and then there would be no need for shutters. Having something there would also help balance the first and second floor since the windows are not aligned over each other. I'd recommend a taller address/welcome/initials type sign.

I have a rule for the use of Shutters! I only use them if I do not ever want to see the outside space! They close in the room making it feel smaller. They tend to take the natural light away as well. Even when they are open, the room will now appear darker.

My rule is no shutters when you have a great view. Only use shutters when there is no good view or you need total privacy all of the time!

Windowbox

Address plaque

[https://www.houzz.com/products/ridgestone-crushed-stone-address-plaque-do-it-yourself-kit-oval-sandstone-prvw-vr~8229512[(https://www.houzz.com/products/ridgestone-crushed-stone-address-plaque-do-it-yourself-kit-oval-sandstone-prvw-vr~8229512)

or tile

Yes! I love black shutters for your home.

I think you can add more interest without adding shutters. I like the clean look of the home but I agree, it needs something. Heavier mouldings around the windows and taller plants in front would make a big difference. I love the idea of the window boxes! Go for it!!!

I would suggest painting windows, door, and and trim a mid-range darker shade of brown to ground the house and to bring out its architectural features.

I would include the railings in this.

My first thought was adding trim around the window like other comments. Shutters would be a great addition, but see what you think after adding the trim - that may be all that's needed. If you're up for it, painting the brick (?) trim on either side of the door white and adding a pop of color on the door would be an easy way to add additional color.

Yes, I think shutters will fill the blank wall sapce nicely. Also the addition of lighting to either side of the door with a decorative address will tie everything in.

I would replace the small window with a bigger one and not do the shutters. I would also replace the front door with one that has more windows in it. Also, a gable portico over the front door supported by side brackets would be nice. Front of house looks a little flat as everything is at the same plane.

I vote no shutters as well, and second the recommendation for additional trim. You don't want to use a design element in only one place.

No shutters!

Not sure I agree with painting the door black as recommended above. I'd like to see a color to augment the very neutral color of the brick. Turquoise (light) or blue-green (darker) comes to mind, and also paint the new window box/planter the same color, so it compliments the door color - especially in winter when there may be less greeery/color in your planter.

Also, the small shrubs you planted in front of the house I think will be pretty slow growing, and all the same. I think some variety might add some spice. If this Nandina grows in your area, it's one of my favorites. It grows tall, not too wide, and not too bushy on the bottom (a personal preference of mine). And they claim it grows about a foot a year - much faster than the little shrubs. I think one planted between your door and small window area would add some visual interest. These come in many varieties, but it's the taller one I think would add interest. The smaller ones could add some color interest. Then maybe a couple of hydrangeas - one on each end of the house or something that will add beautiful colorful flowers through the summer.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6c/Nandina_domestica1.jpg

Overall I don't think shutters would look good. But if you do decide for them get them in black

I think shutters on the small window on the right would look appropriate. I like shutters if they make sense and it isn't a stretch that they could actually close over the window rather that being faux. Shutters on the sides of the bay wouldn't make sense. Landscaping with some vertical choices added would soften the look on that side

Because of the small window and the roof line, you house looks kind of lopsided. Not sure decorative shutters will fix that. How about two tall skinny cypress on either side of the small window? Or try to get ivy to grow on that wall.

Consider a combination of some of the suggestions you've gotten however a new, larger and colorful front door would take your focus off the windows. Then change the lights, house numbers,etc.
I like shutters because they give definition to the structural lines of a home. Even though window boxes are pretty they are a commitment involving dirt and water. Two years from now your new landscaping will be filling in some of the blank space that's bothering you now.

Hi tee8. I'm definitely going with the pro-shutter party. I'd go white as flair lightening suggested. I can't imagine how much trim it would take to make that window feel more in balance with the other. Definitely go with larger house numbers (And I'd go vertical with them rather than horizontal like the 2nd picture csch posted.) If your budget allows a front door with larger windows would really be nice. The door window you have is so small. If you can't replace the door, painting it black or charcoal would minimize the effect of the small window. Unless you have a kitchen sink on the other side of the window or want to run a drip system up the front of your house, I'd pass on a window box. Plus, once the shrubbery matures it will be competing with the window box. Hope this helps.

p.s. black railing :)

I would use shutters on the 1st floor window and narrower shutters on the dormers. Black would work and then paint the railing and front door black also. If you did the shutters on the 1st floor I would do a window box also which would be very inviting. This would be a very classy look.

I would trim it out to match the other window. I think it would look add to have a single window with a shutter.

I would get a new front door. One in a style that matches the architecture of the house. That door just looks wrong.........then paint it in a bold color. Yes shutters, yes window box below window, lots of color and plants that spill over the edges.

Agree with other suggestions re: changing out light fixture, house numbers (go vertical, stay simple) and door style. In addition to changing out the door to better match the windows, I'd paint the brick on either side of the door to exactly match the other gray stone on your house. Re: shutters--The mock-up showing the window with shutters demonstrates the strong horizontal lines of your house and IMHO, adding shutters or a window box would just accentuate that.

You might consider surrounding the side window with "board & batten" (wood siding) from foundation to roof line; about 2' to 3' out on either side of the "bare" window. That would break up the expanse of brick, add a vertical line and balance the prominent bay.

An easier fix would be to place 2 plants with strong vertical lines ("pencil" evergreen) on either side of the window in gray stone (large scale) urns. Urn type planters would balance the gray stone accents under the bay, add visual interest and break up the brick. I would stay simple & geometric with those planters.

When you repaint your home, look for a scheme that has LESS contrast between the trim & brick; especially the large expanse of trim over the bay. I think the current prominence of the bay's boxed trim is very "bossy" and emphasizes the "bareness" of the side window.

Hope this helps--your house is great, have fun!

@whynotdecorate you think black railing even though the all the window trim is white as well as the door?? I agree that since the landscaping is new, the window no prob would compete with the shrubs once they reach full maturity. We have a hydrangea on that right side corner that is new as well. Said it will grow 5' x 5' wide apparently, potentially taller. We have double pink knockout roses on each side of the front steps that'll get big as well. Everything was new in this pic and baby plants (cost savings). Only thing is we are hoping the evergreen bushes grow to a decent height. Says 4-5' h/w. So hopefully that balances it out a bit.

I think shutter just on the small window painted to match the bow window would balance the house. Might consider a different darker color.
Also think the idea of two tall column plants like cedars or cypress would be great. and one on other corner of house.
Baby those plants and before you know it the space will be filled.

Think about adding some pots with planted annuals in them. This will add a colorful interest to your front yard and you can switch them out every season!

i thought black railing too. give some prominence to the front door.

@flair lighting the glass of the door has black metal accents. Isn't that too much black for the door?

Hi tee8. I think a black railing would be really nice if your door was darker...maybe a rich charcoal. That said, I think flair lighting's dark rail adds a lot of interest even if the door remains white. Another idea: Have you considered painting a dark faux runner up the front steps? I would leave at least a foot unpainted, on each side of it (under the rails.) Even if you leave the door white, it would really ground the front of the house and break up the long spans of concrete leading up to the house. Here’s a really good tutorial: http://www.ebay.com/gds/How-to-Paint-a-Faux-Runner-on-Concrete-/10000000205294788/g.html

no that will actually help draw to the detail of the door.

i would paint the door a country blue shade.

@ kemora landscapes how would I display the potted plants?? I just put them in between what we have now?

This is what we have going on the left side of the stairs

And this is the right side

I'm looking at this again and forgot to mention in my first post that I think the flower beds, especially on the bay window side, would look great extended out with a curved border rather than straight with some low plants in front, graduating in size. This would also allow space for vertical planting out from the window and to the side. I really like your house.

The Hydrangea will get bigger, but only in the summer. I would move it next to your porch, to get full sunlight, and then put a tree back near the corner of the house where you removed one. You can pull the planting bed out away from the house so you don't have a problem with roots, but the tall tree is needed where it was to balance the house.