So do you think I should change to 3 1/2 trim around windows and do no shutters at all?

I love the shutter look though

in my opinion yes. A beautiful wide trim around your windows is what you need. Your house is beautiful

Thank you, I am about to pull my hair out trying to figure this all out!

I would personally remove the shutters from the upper windows left and right on those four windows that have been jury rigged.

If you want shutters in general... I'd keep the upper center window with the shutters and the far left and far right of the home (on the lower level) with proper sized shutters. Meaning, that if they were functional they would close left and right and cover the window. Otherwise no shutters would be fine.

I feel the shutters on the front porch darken the space if you favor shutters there and there is no way for a proper fit as you already know. Make it light, bright and open on the porch!

You didn't ask, but I'd open up the porch with a door with a lot of glass vs. what is shown if you are doing an update as that will too open up the front.

Thank you. If I don't do shutters should I do a 3 1/2 inch vinyl trim and a 5 in header?

We are getting a new door too and I love that one!

You are working with window people I take it so they should show you different options for a header. I'd keep it simple something like for a header:

dyliane and Porter are right about the shutters. Here is a brief article explaining proper sizing with photos so you know what to look for when you are looking at windows. I do like the trim on the windows Porter suggests too.

https://www.lifeofanarchitect.com/residential-architecture-101-shutters/

Great article Denita.... some people can't go without their shutters. I feel if that's the case they can have them on the lower left and right windows and upper middle small window.

Otherwise, just framing the windows with something that adds some contrast is a great option to removing shutters completely.

I must confess I live in a large Colonial and the shutters are appropriate in size. I would feel naked if they were off. However, in the above case I think they can be reduced as the OP has some strange sizes going on which are all are no at all ok.

Not opposed to a balance if people want to keep some as that is what they like.

Thank you! I actually read that article earlier and I now know why it bothers me so much...it isn't supposed to be that way. It's just so hard for me to visualize my house without shutters. Unfortunately, my contractor is no help whatsoever!

I'm not able to remove the shutters on the front porch for what ever reason I'm too tired or the dropper won't copy the color appropriately :).

I wouldn't have them on the porch it's closing the house down then add a door with panes as above which tie in with the windows.

I understand... if you want to keep the center shutter on the upper middler small window and the lower 2 left and right.... fine... maybe a better color you might paint them if you get a new door?

Keep in mind all your windows will have a new surround so the shutters will be more grand if you will if you keep the one on top and the 4 windows below... good luck!

if you really want shutters you need to use REAL ones, that you can close to darkening the rooms. Thank you Denita

open your mind for a different view, think outside the box, why use fake shutters without a purpose?

Mine don't close on my windows, but the front of my house is quite large. I think we need to respect some people can't, "not" have some shutters as they can't get the head around it... like me on a very large Colonial with black shutters that serve no purpose other then decor even though I live on one of the Great Lakes it would be great if they closed.

Another option, if the front small pillars are not structural, nice to open the porch up a bit?

no words and no more comments, is like the gray walls and white kitchens all the same boring plain look everywhere, is nothing about respect but why make questions in a designer website if there is inside the minds ready answers with no imagination and personality? good lucky with stupid fake shutters. Or you have shutters in ALL windows or NO shutters at all. How ridiculous look shutters here but not there, like you did in the first floor with the small window only with the shutters PLEASE

Again, due to the, "dropper" to try to pick up color from the facade, I can't properly remove the shutters from the front porch. However, you can see how white decent sized window framing could make a big difference. As I said, it's personal preference and I respect all the Houzzer's views. That's the beauty of Houzz.

Denita's article is a great one.

dyliane please make a mock up to help then!

If you love faux shutters, please use them only on windows where all of them can be full size. Eliminate them on all the close windows where you've got 1/2 shutters. They really do look silly. I think, since you're doing a complete facelift, you should consider making this home a true modern farmhouse. Black windows Jas. Hardie siding (vertical or horizontal,) exchange the railing for some beefy square posts.

Modern Farmhouse · More Info

Modern Farmhouse · More Info

Dash Landing Farmhouse · More Info

Thank you all so much for the visuals. Porter, yours really helps a lot.