It is very cozy and charming:)

I don’t think I would add shutters.

I’d probably paint all the white trim, a darker color. Bronze or navy. And focus on lots of landscaping

The house needs a better landscaping plan and the foundation cannot be painted white because it draws the eye.

The windows probably shouldn't have shutters but it seems a bit plain without them.

IMO you need an extended gable over the entry to protect the front door. I have added that to the photo. It looks like it may have been there and was removed.

Definitely paint the foundation- some sort of buff like the mortar or grey- a color that looks like stone or concrete. Is there any budget for structural changes? Paired 6/1 windows where the plate glass is now would be much more ‘cottage’, the fenestration now is very modern. Olive trim would be better than the white which is not cozy. Don’t do shutters with the picture windows.

Your new home is adorable!

Large house numbers.

Larger, attractive light.

Sturdy handrail.

Olive green door.

If you do add shutters perhaps a dark red would be nice.

Landscaping.

Shutters look weird on this house and windows. Show us your yard please for landscaping ideas.

Your home is already cozy looking. You don't need to do a cottage style to make it so. Plus cottage style will clash with the more modern look of the windows, which are lovely.

A hard no to shutters on this home. The scale of any shutter is just going to look wrong here. Paint the foundation an earth tone. Can you show a pic of the front door? Add a handrail to the stairs.

Landscaping is everything here. Can you post a shot from farther out so we can see the size of the whole lot? Also, what zone are you in?

The windows look very blank. Glazing bars would break up the big glass sheets. But not the horrible stuck on strips. Actual casements. No shutters.

I wonder if well chosen curtain panels and natural blinds on the interior would help break up the glass for the exterior view?

agree no shutters - such a great house, just needs some love on the details

Suggest adding a frame (no room for an arched design) around the door to make it feel more substantial and to hide the damaged area just above/also touch up the bricks a bit higher. Suggest painting door an earthy sage. All this will bring a focus to the entrance and take away from the bland stairs - important to add a railing for safety.

I’d darken the foundation to the same shade as the stairs so it is less prominent and head to a nursery (with a photo of your home and your budget) for a landscaping plan. Think long term results. Ignore the shutters below as your windows don’t suit and the above changes will give it the needed character. Sweet house and enjoy!

Your house is wonderful. Please provide a photo from farther back. If you have a small front yard, a cottage garden is doable and would get you the feeling you'd like. Consider both an indoor garden at one of the windows--a mix of tall plants seen from outside--and a professionally planned cottage garden outside. You don't need to do it now, but you can commission a plan with a garden designer to get started.

Indoor garden with pale curtains framing the window. This would also work with a sofa table if you happen to place your sofa in front of the window.

Okay, not the next two, but posting these to show how a cottage garden contributes so much to a cottage feeling.

This is a little more realistic than the previous two. This cottage garden has flagstone, curved walkway, and a well-planned mix of perennial plantings and shrubs. Note the cement and brick steps, something you could do down the road to make the steps more attractive.

Gracious front porch · More Info

In the meantime, paint your foundation a medium brown to echo the roof. Same with downspouts. Paint your front door a pale blue or yellow.

Yes to addition of a handrail for practical purposes alone but it looks like with the stair height you will need one per code anyway. Would suggest black wrought iron. The painted base is just too much contract with the brick. Will suggest you paint it another color to tone that down. The brick could use a good cleaning but would not suggest pressure washing. Pressure washing will inject water into the wall and damage the mortar. Looks like there are areas of brick that need repointing also. Would not add shutters but you might consider adding awnings over some of the windows. You can do a lot with landscaping to enhance your home as well.