http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D4QkNg_DYHw/TdfGr0PzoxI/AAAAAAAAA9A/0_l4Y_3RVZ4/s1600/JUne%2Bfurniture.jpg Try a comfy bench like this.

Like that. Never even thought of a bench like that Thank You. Hope the dogs stay off it.

Maybe a 5 ft bench, either wooden or metal centered under the window, that you could put some nice cushions on and small end tables, garden stools, something like that on either end to hold a beverage and a few dog treats.

This kind of porch is very common but it has always seemed too narrow to me to be usable. Can you extend it forward? I realize that could be quite difficult/expensive. With a deeper porch, you could move the steps to the center and then decorate symmetrically around them.

Maybe should I change the green shutters and door? Not a fan of the green.

John I have room to do that but the cost would be more then I want to put into it right now. In about 5 years I do plan on doing a big makeover.

With those two HUGE German Shepherds there's no way that porch says come on in and sit. LOL :) Seriously maybe a small café table and a couple of chairs. Kirkland's has this one and it's not that expensive.

Thank You. Thor and Ruger are more like babies. Look scary put are very friendly.

They look like a Thor and a Ruger. Paint is a quick fix, and painting the shutters and the door black would be great. Then a wooden black bench under the window would totally work, too.

I think I would change the boxwood to something softer like Annabelle hydrangea or a spirea planting about 3 ft. from edge. This would soften the concrete and make the porch appear larger. Then put something really comfortable and you will want to spend time there. : )

You could enlarge the size of the existing columns fairly inexpensively, adding a base and capital. Building them out, not replacing them entirely. 8" x 8" square. And some comfy seating with a small table for iced tea.

I think it's quite pretty the way it is, very neat and clean.

Hi Michelle! We focused heavily on porches over the summer with a board dedicated to just porches on our Pinterest site (I posted the link below). In order for your porch to be more welcoming, we would recommend adding properly fitted shutters. In this case, your shutters are a bit too small for the windows, and they should typically measure out to be half the size of the window.

http://www.pinterest.com/timberlaneinc/porches/

If purchasing new shutters is not an option, we would recommend adding hardware to the shutters. Adding shutter dogs (tiebacks) will also enhance the appeal of your porch windows. You have the ability to express yourself through tiebacks since we have so many different options from animals and flowers, to shapes and vintage styles.

http://shop.timberlane.com/

I have a similar porch....try and move that bench on the right under the window and let's see how that looks. I will try to post a photo of mine, which is in progress.