Here is the picture of the house

Gray and white is common, on such a small house, I would not contrast the gutters.

No to painting the concrete, power wash and remove all existing flaking paint back to original and seal the concrete. Get an area rug to fill the porch floor. No shutters, save your $ for landscaping. ne light fixture, and house numbers.

Downspouts and gutters are not IMHO design elements so best when match the roof for th gutters and the siding for the downspouts I for sure do not like the white on those pillars . Maybe clear cedar for those posts and the front door and then adrk gray slate or tile for the porch floor and the steps.

You mentioned tile for the floor. I would definitely do that, rather than paint it. Even powerwashing and removing all the paint, and putting a sealer on it, is better than painting. Unlike above, I like my gutters and my downspouts all the same color, rather than matching roof, or siding. Yours look like they have been previously painted, but, if they were new and had the baked on finish that comes on them, I wouldnt paint them ever, unless, they looked bad.

Gutters aren't a design feature. You want them to match the color of the trim or the siding, whatever blends in best. Shutters might work on your house --- you want to mock up the size of shutters on the window under the porch. You'd need to remove the trim around the windows, though. I happen to think the windows look nice as is, but you do have a house where shutters might work. You want to decide before the siding is installed.

I'd paint the cement foundation on the right a darker shade of the same gray as the siding, although, leaving it might work, too, on a gray house.

I think a light gray would be pretty on the house. Then a wide white trim around your windows to tie in with the porch columns. I agree with power washing your concrete and then sealing. I live in southwest Florida and it's very common here to paint pool decks and even driveways but it's always done with an opaque concrete stain that survives the harsh sun so that could also be an option for you. If your front door is currently painted and not wood, I would suggest a brighter color to make it more welcoming. It also looks as though your pavers leading from your driveway could use some re-working. They look a little uneven. Perhaps 2x2 pavers would work a bit better. Vertical house numbers on one of your columns would make it easier for guests and emergency personnel to find your house.

Gray is such a depressing color for a cute cottage. Pick a cottage appropriate color. A pale yellow, or blue, or even a pink or lavender!

A fabulous encaustic look porcelain for the porch could add to the charm. https://www.crossvillestudios.com/Products/DUR-CASTELLON

@lisedv THANK YOU so much! That is awesome and so helpful. I like that color! They should start putting the siding up tomorrow.

Just wanted to give an update! This is Adagio by Benjamin Moore. Still trying to decide on the porch and steps…we are most probably going to paint them again. We are not interested in paying $$$ for tiling them.

Looking great!!!

Very nice! It's going to be cute once the porch is finished!

Oh wow it looks great!

for a low cost approach for the stairs, what about stenciling them?

https://www.cuttingedgestencils.com/collections/floor-stencils?srsltid=AfmBOoo-QX00Byk4KdskUUdn13Ey0a_ErqY7hEhC0OhElQOHGRiQccV2

I would leave the concrete and not invest money in tiling or removing it in your pathway. Power wash and sealing possibly after staining sounds like a plan but the thing that would make a real difference is more landscaping. That’s where I would put the money. Landscaping along the front would essentially make the concrete disappear in the porch area and landscaping in the front yard along the edges of the path or creating a front curved garden by the concrete Path would transform that area.

You could edge the concrete with some brick or extend your garden areas from the edge of the path where it meets at right angles to create a curve. Here’s a screenshot from googling that. Anyway, I wouldn’t be rushing to spend money on the architecture. I would get your main painting the house plans finished up and then take another look at the landscaping.

I have limited technology here so excuse my crude drawing done in my art app using my finger… Lol, but this gives you some idea as to the difference landscaping would make. I’m a gardener and you don’t have to spend a fortune on this. It’s a small area. I would join your local garden club or consult with your local greenhouse as to appropriate plants, based on your lifestyle and climate.. A little bit of sweat equity could give you a very nice front yard.

Just a heads up on “spray paint in a can”… it has a high glue content is perfect for porches and steps…it holds up to traffic and is easy to touch up if needed for occasional wear… I would also think .. for safety at least a railing around the porch and along the steps…will protect from any missteps the could be harmful…to you or your visitors…lastly a bench next to the door would be very handy to place groceries or other things in order to open the door…or to even sit on for a rest while gardening

A small bench under the window is a great idea. If you want to change the color of the steps, a concrete stain is your best bet. First give them a good power wash and then paint them. I use a semi-transparent on my driveway and lanai here in Florida and it holds up very well.

If you prefer the stain option or even just want to try it…you will still have the spray paint option …as stain could look too mottled or splotchy …

One other concern would be if the concrete may be slippery if wet