Ohhhhhhhh boy! No shutters on bay window.

I don't think the shutters look bad on the bay window. I get it that there are two camps where this is concerned: The camp that thinks shutters don't belong unless they appear that they can cover the windows, as was their original function and the other camp (me!) who thinks they are a colorful adornment that sometimes are just about adding interest/a shot of color. That being said, Is the house more of a tan or a yellow?

Even decorative shutters should at least appear like they would cover a window when closed. That's simply impossible on a bay window. As the link I posted states, they become "shudders." Imashley's house is already cute, and it can be even more so with some tweaks.

The blue in the photo above would work well. As I mentioned, blues would be a good fit with the siding...yellow or tan. Blue would also be nice with your roof color.

Shutter placement is, of course, whatever looks best to YOU. Most decorative shutters I see aren't sized right, but some are close enough to be passable. Not the case with bay windows.

Love the blue violetsnapdragon suggested. I agree the shutter should go from the bay. Would you consider painting the posts and railings white? Then paint the porch a light gray.

I concurred to paint the post and railings white. I would even go as far as to increase the size of the posts and have them smooth with no detail. They are way to small for this porch. I think the blue color suggested in the photo is a great color. Just think with larger white posts and white railing and the blue paint how it would pop.

I think the color posted by violetsnapdragon would be gorgeous on your shutters and door. I also think the shutters on the bay window look nice, more like colorful "frames" than the functional shutters of the past. I agree with suggestions to also paint the post and railings white.

Your cottage has more of a Cape Cod appearance, so the porch is a total misfit. Once replaced with the proper style, all eyes will be on it and your entry (as well they should be). Simply enlarge shutters on the smaller window and eliminate the ones on the bay.

Thank you all for your comments and advice. The house is a pale yellow, buttery cream color, not tan. The shutters were on the house when we bought it years ago. We don't want the expense at this time of removing the bay window shutters and dealing with the siding/repainting. I understand that they aren't appearing as "real use" / size shutters. I just want to determine the best color for the shutters, which will include shutters on the sides of the house as well, as it looks too plain from the street. I like the idea of painting the porch though, maybe at some point in the next year or two.

Get some samples and go with a blue that you like. It really can be nice with the pale yellow.

This is just another example of yellow/blue.

Your house is very pretty as is. I agree to go with a darker blue. IMO shutters make houses with lots of siding look better.

Hale Navy shutters and a red front door.