Both look nice. I would put it back if you like to screen yourself or your porch furniture from the street just a bit, but just in terms of looks, I slightly prefer no railing.

If you have no elderly or disabled people coming in, no railing is fine. Can people come in at a different entrance?

To my eye, railings look welcoming and I would add them back.

Inevitably at some point there will be a person walking up those stairs who could use a hand hold because of physical or non-physical challenges, either permanent or temporary. Elderly or disabled or pregnant or a "bad" knee or tipsy or looking at their cell phone or....

No to the railing.

Sometimes homeowner’s insurance will require a railing when local code does not. This happened to a client who then appealed the insurance company’s decision but was unsuccessful.

I like the railing in this case because your columns are very narrow.

For me, I would prefer beefier column if I were going to remove the rail.

I also think it looks better with the railing, it fills in the space.

Railing please.

Railings. Looks more traditional and finished with them, and has a cozier feel (especially if you’re on a residential street). They also add horizontal interest to so many vertical shapes.

Absolutely put the railing back on. If you dont, you or your insurance will be paying for someone that accidently walks or falls off there. That is an accident waiting to happen, and quite honestly , it is one of my pet peeves, when railings are removed and things made unsafe.

Guess I‘m in the minority on the railing question. How about finishing the painting, put back the shutters, then reassess. The railings can be reinstalled any time.

No to the railings...House looks great so far!

If you put railings back, getting wrought iron or painted black will help them visually disappear.

it depends. I do think it looks really great w/o railing.

but if you plan to ever have a lot of people out there, railing is obviously safer. if the porch gets a little crowded and people stand or sit with their backs facing the edge, they'll be so much more at ease with a railing behind them. I agree with theresen. you could do something dark and minimal to help them disappear.

Both look good. I like without better, but would feel safer with.

Looks much better without the railing.

I don't like how the railing cuts the view of the windows. I will like it even less when the black shutters go back up.

Without the railing, the house looks more stately. Railing frou-frou detracts from a stately look.

Slightly beefier posts would look nice but the ones you have look fine, too.

Disabled, injured, elderly aren't going to want to negotiate the sidewalk & sidewalk steps to get to the porch so the argument that it is necessary for them doesn't hold water AFAIC.

Great looking house. I like it very much.