I think I need a bit more info. This is the front of the house so not a usaul place for entertaining friends since most like a bit of privacy for that function . What you have now is just a mess so yes to removal of all of that for sure. I need to see the whole front of the house for sure. Is this the only entertining space outdoors? Right now IMO a really nice flower bed would be a better use of the space so I will wait for the info.

I appreciate your initial feedback. Here is a look at the entire front of house. We do have a private area in back for entertaining. Since there isn’t much space on our front patio to sit, we thought it would be nice to use a bit of that space to expand, however, not married to the idea and appreciate other suggestions to beautify the space!

I think it could be possible you can reuse some of the stone from the water feature to help create a stable surface for furniture. So you could pull the water system, do a good job with a firm fill, and top off with a stable surface. If it's legal not to have the railing, you could remove it and create a step down into that seating area from the porch. Use plantings and lights to edge that square and create the parts people don't walk through.

I noticed you have a couple chairs on the porch. Do you want more shaded seating below? Maybe put in a swing bench with an awning overlooking the yard. Or if you want more sun, skip a shade and put out some nice table and chair action. Either way, either blend that with your current seating, or replace the current to match when you get new stuff.

Some visual

Do you ever sit on the chairs on the porch now? If that's not a space you currently use, do you think you would actually use a seating area in the front - especially when you have entertaining space in the back?

I think chairs by the entry are warm and inviting (even if they are only for show) - but your chairs behind the railing feel more isolating than welcoming.

I agree that the water feature is a mess (the random rocks are not attractive). Appropriate plantings could make the water feature beautiful. I don't know how interested you are in gardening - you have enough space for a lovely garden, with plants chosen for the type of soil and amount of sun.

@beesneeds - Thank you. I love the idea of removing the railing, creating a step down and plants/lights. Thanks!

@celery - LOVE the rendering - my husband plans to re-pour the sidewalk so adding a path may be a great idea, and I love the plants, rocks and color in your image. Thank you for the inspiration. Thinking of adding an ornamental (small) tree.

@AnnKH - I agree about the chairs and railing! The comments here have inspired us to remove the railing and replace the chairs, as well as creating more of a floral garden to add texture and color to the space, thank you!

Maybe removing the railing is all you needed. A couple of clear seats to watch birds in a raised water feature.

Paul, that looks great and I love all the color!

You need more comfortable chairs and a large, colorful welcome mat or outdoor rug for the entry.

Wow looks like a lovely spot to sit outside with friends. Thanks for posting an update.

Beautiful job! Thanks so much for the update!

I love that you were able to remove the posts and extended the porch. Nice detail in the concrete sidewalk too. Well done!

You put a new water feature? It all looks wonderful. Everyone loves the sound of a small fountain. c

@Still trailing yes, but just a free-standing patio fountain and we do love the sound! Thanks!

@Paul F. I miss you! I thought of you a lot during the Eaton Fires. Hope you are well and not affected by them.

That is absolutely wonderful!! It turned out so well :)

@beesneeds thank you!

@tozmo1 Thank you for thinking of me! That was really kind of you. My neighborhood was under an evacuation warning during the Palisades fire, but fortunately I'm a couple of miles from the foothills, so I felt reasonably safe. It was surreal, though, we had ash falling like snow.

I haven't been around Houzz much because I discovered that AI turned out to be a much better fit for the way I make design decisions. I tend to think out loud, explore lots of possibilities, ask "what if?" over and over, and sometimes completely change directions before I'm comfortable making a choice. AI never gets tired of that process, so it lets me work through every idea until I truly understand why one solution is stronger than another.

At one point I asked ChatGPT why it was such a good design critic, and it replied, "I've studied 4,000 years of human design!" Whether that's literally the best way to describe it or not, it made me realize I just needed to bring it my design and selected material and it would talk through what didn't work and why. That sold me.

The biggest surprise wasn't that it picked things for me, it didn't. It challenged my assumptions, pointed out trade-offs, and talked me out of some of my worst design instincts. In the end, I still made all the decisions, but I made them with a lot more confidence.

I'll post some updated photos soon. I'm really happy with how everything has come together, and I'll let you be the judge!

That is certainly better than any of the suggestions I see posted early on!! The outdoor deck/patio doesn't really work with a front facade, IMPO. I know they are all the rage but this too will pass. A porch is the best look and you managed to maintain that esthetic! . Great job!!!

OMG!! You did a beautiful job!! Bravo!!

@rainigirl thank you so much! we love spending time on the porch now and when the bistro lights are on at night we love it!

Really like the changes. Hope you enjoyed a lovely July 4th on the fantastic porch.

@Paul F. good to hear from you. Looking forward to the updates on your home.

Thank you for sharing the after photos that incorporated so many suggestions from the Commentors. You did a beautiful job! I'm always a cheerleader for well designed front patios and porches, which can be so welcoming for entertaining in good weather as people arrive before going inside. Front patios add a friendly feeling to the neighborhood. where you can have "front porch" conversations, sort your mail, and watch the kiddies and grand kiddies.

During the pandemic confinement, whole neighborhoods around the US shifted some of their socializing to the front. While expensive, there's less lawn to mow and more incentive to create beautiful front landscaping that's not just lawn.

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wow what a lovely spot! ✨ everyone on the street will be vying for a chance to sit and relax there with you, enjoy!