I think your home is charming!!! Leave the porch white. You do need some color but I think it should be added on either side of your walk way. A 12" slice one either side with seasonal color like pansies or petunias with spring bulbs like tulips would do the trick. Your hedges are the right scale and need some very persistent care to shape them up over a couple of years

Is the porch wood or some synthetic? If it is wood, I would paint it a pale gray, a classic porch color. Use deck paint. I wouldn't paint the railing, mainly because it is not really traditional in style. The white hides that and makes the railing blend with the house.

Before you tear out the shrubs, I would hand prune them back about a third. They'll look a little naked, but should respond well and then you can keep them at the right height.

Good looking house. Good luck!

Your house is very pretty and I like the blue. The porch should remain white and all one color, a white porch is classic and timeless. However, the porch railing looks like deck railing, not front porch railing. A more classic railing system and carrying that railing down the steps will really change the look of the house. If you replace the railing with one with a traditional handrail, you could stain or paint that a different color, but not with what you have now. I'm not really sold on the shutter idea, those windows would not have traditionally had shutters, sorry.

We have considered redoing the railing system anyway, so those are great options, thanks for that.

As for trimming down the hedge, certainly easy enough to do. Much easier then pulling those massive things out. I'll give it a shot this week!

The hedge is pretty traditional and sober. I'd like to see something a little more open and free-form along that railing, like xylosma or abelia.

Your sloping yard is an invitation to a terraced or rock garden filled with gorgeous rock garden varieties. Trim the hedges down for a nice background as some formality suits your achitecture. Search salvage yards for some ornate black wrought iron handrails and replace the one you have, adding one to the other side. Can you put hanging baskets above the porch railings ? Couldn't tell if the area allowed it or not. If not, nice flower boxes attached to the porch railing. Since your stairs are an important part of your entry I would have them bricked or tiled over. I noted that your stairs to the entry are white - not a very practical color for maintenance. Why not paint them a deeper maroon for a little touch of color ? Below is my doodle of suggestions.

I love all the comments above, I really think continuing the wooden porch railing down and replacing the metal one is a good idea. Exterior painting is expensive, and your siding really looks great, even if it is aluminum. Your hedge plants need to be trimmed back, and will look small, but a regular growth pattern will emerge and a natural shape that you can keep to the height you want. Perhaps these stairs offer an opportunity to terrace your front yard entrance. The stairs should be made of a constant material, (i.e. brick) not a mixture of wood and concrete. I like the hanging basket touches. You have the "bones" of a fantastic front yard!

Your porch floor looks to be in great condition. If you choose to paint it the upkeep will be a nightmare.

It's already painted.. a beige- color. It already is a nightmare, but we were looking into one of the newer deck paint products such as this: http://www.menards.com/main/paint/exterior-paint-stain/floor-coatings/rocksolid-deck-restoration-trade/p-1969429-c-8022.htm

I think I want to keep everything on the porch white, with the exception of the actual floor and stairs. I was thinking a dark brown or possibly gray? Then maybe I could tie the cement stairs and walkway in somehow.

Nice house! Here are my thoughts:

Leave the hedge as is. It adds nice depth and is lush looking. Not sure what it is. Could you trim up the bottom branches so you see the woody stems? Could you bonsai them?

Add a hanging fern to the left side of your porch. Simple and inexpensive.

Remove your mailbox and place a new one on the wall next to your door. It will add interest to the door. Get something that looks vintage or craftsman. Oil rubbed bronze to match the dark tones of your shutters. Put craftsman house numbers on the column for added interest and they will be easy to see too.

I would add some flower boxes to your porch railing. It will add color and you will enjoy the flowers from your porch and living room too. Leave the porch white. Don't overwhelm with too many colors.

Flowers or hostas flanking the stairs is a good idea. Hostas are good in the shade and will make mowing your yard easier.

One last thing...consider some larger pots with more color for your front stairs. Move them to the other side for balance.

Your house is lovely and classic! If you really need to paint I would choose a dark brown that has no orange or red tones.

Good luck!

I didn't realize it was painted, it looks like raw wood on my monitor. A grey porch floor would be another classic choice and not show pollen and dust like dark brown would. The last example says it is Sherwin Williams Industrial Deck Paint, the lighter of the two offered colors. It might be something to check out.