Yes, you should remove the shutters, good call, because they are vinyl, do not fit the windows, and, holy cow, match the front door...never seen that before :> {

The roof shows differently in each photo. Which one is truer?

If it is the second photo, I could see this for the trim.

If it is first photo, I could see this for the trim.

What ever trim color you decide to use, take the time to paint the muntins in the windows. It will make a huge difference.

Enjoy your new home....fun time.

I think the shutters could go. I like the cream color on the columns, but you could paint the door. I like a slatey blue with brick, but glossy black, navy or a forest green would work, too.

I would remove the shutters and paint the front door Navy Blue.

I'd add a trellis of some kind between the columns and the house and start a climbing vine. Get a big outdoor area rug (5' x 9') or larger to fill the front stoop and add a couple of chairs and a bench.

The roof definitely reads more taupe like in the whole-house picture vs. grey in the door close-up.

The idea of a navy or slate blue door is intriguing!

You say you don't like the yellow but what colors do you like?

You have a traditional home and removing the shutters will take away any interest it currently has so I would keep them and just change the color. Think about adding more detail in the way of carriage lights. Paint the trim a white and try a lighter blue on the shutters and door. Also I would paint the side transomes and trim on the door white and only the door itself blue .

I would not take the door dark I think it will make it disappear.

I love white trim, but I don’t think painting the window frames is an option right now. I like the lighter color door! Thank you for the ideas!

Agree with no shutters in your case. However, if you keep them, consider some that look more functional for your pretty house. Even decorative shutters can appear more functional. Also agree with the lighter door color from DIS since the door’s recessed.

This link might be helpful with the shutters.

Link - Exterior Shutters

Thank you! The shutters article was very helpful! It does seem like my shutters are not sized correctly. I like the idea of removing them, but I wonder if I need to do something else to add color or interest? Maybe with landscaping? We’ve torn out the old overgrown bushes, but still have holes, as you can see.

Here you go. no shutters. same trim color. blue door.

I know everyone is on the no shutters band wagon these days but to me the house looks lonely and institutional like without something so at the very least plant some Arborvite to give some depth

I like the classic look of a wood front door and columns mixed, and black shutters on the dark red brick. If replacing the front door isn't an option it can be painted to look like wood, I also like @Design Interior South look without the shutters, too.

Oh wow, thank you for the ideas! DIS, I love the look of the arborvitae when the shutters are removed! I love all shades of blue, although my husband is unsure about the light blue. And I have wondered about a wood door. The door does need replaced, and I like the idea of a window in it.

Yes to shutters! Otherwise, IMO, the house looks like an early 2000's subdivision house vs. one that could have been custom built at any time in a classy style.

I understand shutter "correctness." I've owned a house with the "correct" shutters. It was built in the early 1800's in a town that was an historic district. The shutters were functional, they covered the windows and to repair or replace were outrageously expensive.

The assertion that the only "correct" shutters are functional and sized to cover the window assumes that the windows are sized with a certain symmetry and "correctness", mostly for function i.e. the only light in the room, air flow, etc. IMO, most houses today have windows for reasons that have nothing to do with functionality but for improving ambiance, mental well being and looks, internally and externally. Nothing wrong with that, that's why I have a twelve foot slider.

Just saying sometimes shutters are like earrings. We don't have to have them to function, they just look nice and make me feel good. So yes to shutters in a different color.

No shutters. Brite White Trim and Columns. Bright Blue Front Door.

Wood door can get easily lost in your brick. If you were to go that route I would make sure to paint the sidelights and trim the trim color of your columns and trim doing just the door itself a stained wood. otherwise the depth of the porch and monochromatic brick will make it all just blend together. The wood posts are taking your home in a direction is isn't architecturally. At the very least keep your accents in line with the architeturall style of the home. You have a Modern Colonial Revival with Southern Influences for the most part. Embrace that.

I’m with Chloebud, if you can afford them, add larger shutters to the windows.