Well, I'd surely paint the downspout a darker color -- right now I can see it in neon, but can barely squint out the other posts and railings you're talking about!!

Hi luvdarun, in looking at your pictures, I was wondering if you could take some close ups of the front of the house. Specifically, to get a better idea as to the brick color on the base of the house and a close up of the porch. Also, if the front of the house gets any sun, it would help to take pictures with less shade.

Since you are working with a limited budget, I assume that you won't be changing the shingles on the roof. All the things I mentioned are a good starting point for picking out exterior colors for the siding. Thanks!

I will post more pics asap. The house was a foreclosure I purchased nearly a year ago and since have been updating, replacing and repairing in order of priority. whew.... The roof was replaced a few months ago so it will stay the same color. Thank you so much for your advice.

Not sure if you are redoing the siding or painting the siding or leaving the side the color it is which looks like a page greige? But I have pulled some pics that I think might inspire you not in specific color choices but in specific color contrasts. You lighting outside will make such a difference depending on where you live in the country.

1. Charming as suggested above. This is pretty, crisp, and fresh looking.....and the landscape and fence are part of the look.

2. Taupe, beefed up trim around all openings with no shutters and deep charcoal trim on porch and a touch of burgundy on door trim and garage to ground things and add sparkle. A very happy look

3. Classic! love this with the white trim, black shutters and sidelights on the door which you might consider replacing and adding wider trim if no a sidelight on one or both sides.

4. Unique and welcoming. The bright door and trim on dark windows is stunning and so easy.....everyting is the same color except those window frames and the door itself. The posts seem to have rock/stone trim which would add a nice touch to the porch and the natural wood railing on the porch. Very delightful look.

5. Again taupe with white and black trim. Classic

6. The Reverse of all the above which looks great too! Pale house body then a greige trim on everyting with a touch of white in posts and porch furniture.....porch could have the white elements as that is the focal point of the whole house! Maybe just the railing as shown in house #3.

Hope this gives you some possibilities for your house. It is lovely and the land looks gorgeous!

Replace the front door. If you want to have shutters then buy them new in a much wider size. I think landscaping will give you the best improvement.

I think you are creating a hazard by removing the porch rail on so high a porch. Also not sure of the wisdom of removing the center post.

Emmarene is right. Check your local building code to be sure you can remove the railing and check with a structural engineer to be sure that center post is not weight bearing.

Construction of porch base; brick / concrete, or wood?

Look at homes that Chip and JoAnna Gaines have done on Fixer Upper HGTV. They have done some beautiful make overs on homes like this one. You could get some wonderful ideas. I see natural wood chunky posts and larger natural wood shutters. Re do the trim on the peak with matching wood a more modern look than gingerbread. Then some landscaping.

The previous posts by the Houzzers have made good points. I'm following up on the last post by paulastonge. Although I was not able to download the pictures, if you go on the Fixer Upper website under "The Latest Photo Galleries", there is a link to one for "Plain Gray Ranch Made Bright and Spectacular". The exterior colors Chip and Joanna used were similar to what Home Interiors with Ease suggested. Using all white siding and trim and charcoal or black shutters would really lighten up the front. You could also paint the front door to match the shutters.

Your shutters are undersized.