There are only three windows that would accommodate properly sized shutters, the two on the garage and the single one over the front door. So, don’t use shutters. I would spend on having more trim applied to the windows.

As far as the stain vs paint goes, I can’t address that issue. We are in cedar shingle land, here on Cape Cod, but in new construction most shingles are pre dip before install.

This after inspiration photo may help you with Kendall Charcoal, extra trim around windows and a patio/front walk.

Love this:

I like the idea of a darker stain color, light trim.

or jazz it up like this.

The one thing you need to change is that door. you have a faux victorian on a colonial. they don't jive. get a proper door

wouldn't hurt to beef up the posts and deck out the porch a bit. (ignore these posts, but you could do something in a 4x4 ) the railing is nice w/the added landscaping

right now your porch reminds me of a ferry dock.

Thanks... that is funny about the porch, definitely sums it up. There is a “McGuyver” ramp for the old man who lived here before. I hate it!!!

Isn't the point of cedar shingles to have the weathered look? I would absolutely open up the entryway with wide steps. I don't think you need to tear out the deck. Just add a wide step across the whole porch area. It looks low enough that it shouldn't need a railing. Once you have the porch and walkway determined, don't forget about landscaping, which can have a big impact.

why don't you consider doing the porch like this? and if you can swing the metal roof overhang at more of an angle, even better!

this shake is done in a sage green.

weathered cedar shake is great if you're at the beach.

otherwise, I like the original color

Black and dark charcoal look amazing w/cedar. if you ever have to replace the windows (or, if they're wood and you can paint them) go w/a black or dark bronze. Ditto for the trim on the home

black or charcoal roof, black trim/ windows, and a proper front door. amazing.

And if you want to stain them that dark charcoal? This looks great too. but notice how they kept the fascia roof trim in the same dark gray. I like that. white everywhere else

you need a more traditional style door, and not the oval victorian

some other colonial style porch pics. you don't have dormers, but maybe one over the porch wouldn't be bad? that flat roof does nothing

if you could build the porch all the way over to the left, under that window, you could have something similar to this look (no shutters)

Consider cob or other type of blasting for your shingles to even them out. You may find the color you have will look great with a clear sealer over them, or you can go a bit darker. Here's a favorite shingle home lakeside and the trim is BM Crisp Romaine. No shutters on your home, but you can certainly beef up the porch. Change your Victorian style front door to one that is more of a Craftsman or Colonial style.

Rustic Exterior · More Info

Crisp Romaine 686 Paint · More Info

Its a nice house. Please do not tear out the deck, and leave the railings. If you dont need the ramp, you could remove that and have a nice step there (is there one under the ramp already?), Put some cute colorful porch furniture out there, and some pots of plants. Great place to spend an hour or two, reading, or just talking with a friend. I like the charcoal, but, I also like the idea of just keeping it cedar. If it is too weathered to use regular semi transparent cedar stain, they do make a solid color cedar stain. A rusty red door will go with either the cedar, or the charcoal. I agree, your door is definitely not colonial, so at some point, I would change that out.