https://www.lifeofanarchitect.com/residential-architecture-101-shutters/

If you're going to add shutters, they should look practical. In the first picture, shutters can make sense on the first floor windows because they can be sized and placed in a way in which they would cover the windiw if they were/could be closed. The correct size would be half the width of the window, and they should be attached inside the trim, not outside. In the second picture, most of the windows aren't conducive to shutters because you'd need very wide shutters to cover the double windows, and the one to the left of the door does not want shutters at all - fit and style wise, not just whether they could look practical.

No, I would not put shutters flanking the upstairs windows on the driveway side. Honestly, I wouldn't bother adding them to any of the windows on that side ... the one on the far left (behind the shrubbery) could have practical looking shutters, but why have shutters on 1 of 4 windows? I would probably just skip them entirely, but if you want shutters, I don't have an issue with the ones on the lower level of the front, if done right.

Why did you print photos of 2 different houses?

Its the front and side of the same house

Have you considered removed them altogether? There are only three windows in your pics that are appropriate for shutters. The two trees flanking the entry block the view of the house, as well as two of the shutters. Perhaps planting something that doesn’t block the house as much would be an improvement.

Relandscaping would really make an impact. The two shrubs flanking the front are way too big for the space, and everything else is haphazard. It’s a lovely house.

Your house is quite charming. I would put shutters just on the front lower level, using appropriate length/width as if when closed they would actually cover the window. The ones there now appear sized or placed incorrectly since they encroach the trim area on the windows. On the side of home, consider updated landscaping to not have so much bulky shrubbery, but having some lower greenery and/or potted flowers will compliment with the green door you have in mind.

Shutters only on the front. .......sized correctly as PPF above.

Some real investment in landscaping overall would be great : )

yes new landscaping is also part of the plan for this house :)

I love Cape Cod style homes and I love shutters. Most advice you get on Houzz will be anti-shutters, sometimes vehemently.

However, if you use them, they should be in proportion to the windows. They should appear as if they could cover the entire window if you closed them. So 16" wide shutters on double windows is going to look out of proportion. But you can get wider than 16"--we have 2 36" double hung windows and installed 22" shutters on either side and they look just fine.

If you look at the work of some outstanding architects, you will see that they don't blindly follow the Houzz "rules" on shutters.

These gems from Patrick Ahearn:

Rhode Island Beach House · More Info

Atlantic Drive Double Gable · More Info

Peter Zimmerman architect:

New Residence · More Info

So I think if you decide to replace the shutters on the front windows, then do so on the side as well. There are lots of options for sizes, materials and accessories (like shutter dogs). We ordered ours online from Shutterland, and have been very pleased with them.

Another factor to keep in mind is that originally shutters that were made to cover wide windows were made up of two narrower shutters hinged together. When closed, they covered the entire window, but when folded back on the hinge they were narrow.

Some of the late 19th c. houses here still have their original shutters, and really none of the houses had shutters on the dormer windows, because they weren't needed for security and light control so much, as well as not having room for them as the window takes up the face of the dormer. And I can't recall seeing any shutter pintles in the window frames in a dormer indicating there was ever was a shutter on them.

And as was mentioned, there were bifold shutters of two panels on each side, to cover double window if necessary

Typically I am for shutters but since only two of the windows will be getting them on the entire house, have you considered maybe skipping them altogether.

Maureen your post has been so helpful! I am already doing aportion of what you outlined here- with the colored door, updating landscaping.. and the pictures you posted were in my inspiration folder. Thanks so much for this!

So glad it helped. Exciting and hope you provide pictures when done.

Please keep us updated on your improvements!🙂

Cape Cods can be perfectly charming without shutters if the landscaping is good.