Should I remove the two shutters and/or add something else ?

John
by John

My new house has landscaping that needs some help. But what is bothering me is the fact that there are only two shutters on the house. Should I remove them and replace them with one long window box? two boxes? Everything is so bland...any suggestions are appreciated.

bad pic, but just showing there are two dormer windows :)

  20 answers
  • 17335038 17335038 on May 06, 2021

    Your home certainly has lots of potential to have a more attractive curb appeal.


    However, I do agree that its appearance lacks energy due to all the colors being either dark or very similar. It is also difficult to identify where the front door is, resulting in a rather lifeless impression, which is not desirable.


    I would urge you though to resist the temptation to begin removing and replacing bits and pieces right away, before you have established a master plan for the entire property. IMO, taking away the black shutters and replacing them with a window box will not make a significant enough improvement.


    My suggestion is to paint the wooden trim areas - dormer facias, soffits, porch railings, and the front door a brighter/lighter color in contrast to the brick.

    • See 4 previous
    • 17335038 17335038 on May 17, 2021

      I would not remove the railing. It provides needed definition and an element of privacy to the front porch. I would say though that it should be painted the same color as the door and the dormers.


      If you are not ready to paint all the woodwork at this time, I suggest that you hold off on painting the door until you decide what color you want, then do everything together, instead of painting individual parts at different times.


      Have you played around with the visualizers to see what different colors would look like on the door?

      Also browse through google images front door on red brick house to get more ideas of which colors you are drawn towards.

  • 17335038 17335038 on May 06, 2021

    You already recognize that the landscaping needs help, so that's a good start.


    The scattered little shrubs are too small for the scale of the house, and don't enhance its appearance. They are also planted very close to the foundation, which could lead to moisture accumulation and termite problems later on. As their greenery is insufficient weight give the lower part of the house a solid looking base, I would say to remove them completely.


    I would next recommend getting a few loads of river rock and spreading it around the base of the house over top of where the mulch is now. The weight of the rocks will help to balance the strong top-heavy roof lines of the house.


    I hope that the vast brown areas are not dead grass. With pine trees, in my experience, trying to grow green grass will be a waste of money and time.


    The mature pine trees are a feature of your property, so to complement them, I would suggest installing curbed concrete edge pavers. (see examples below) They will contain the mulch, give needed definition and create visually interesting shapes in the yard.

  • FrugalFamilyTimes.com FrugalFamilyTimes.com on May 06, 2021

    I think you should keep the shutters and paint them a more similar color to the window trim. Otherwise I think those windows will look really small.

    • John John on May 06, 2021

      I thought they would look small and so thought maybe one large window box would prevent it from looking so small. I like the idea of painting them another color. Maybe even the color of the door..

  • I would add shutters to the other windows and add color to your flower beds with some annuals.

  • Chloe Crabtree Chloe Crabtree on May 06, 2021

    There is nothing wrong with the shutters on the two windows. You think everything is bland. Why not add a pop of color by painting those shutters a brighter color? I would add window boxes under each of the 4 windows and some green plantings around the foundation.

    • See 1 previous
    • 17335038 17335038 on May 07, 2021

      Generally shutters of the type presently on the right hand windows are not put on the sides of either bow or bay windows.

  • Judy in Canton. Judy in Canton. on May 06, 2021

    I agree with Flipturn to paint the wooden areas a different color, maybe the color of the brick but color the porch railing black. If the porch railing is black the shutters won't look so out of place. I don't think flower boxes will work too well as there is not enough sunlight due to the trees. If you plant flowers make sure they can tolerate shade. Your house has a stately look so don't pick colors that are garish.

    • See 1 previous
    • 17335038 17335038 on May 07, 2021

      Yes, the railings and the columns should be the same color, but not black, as it is far too heavy and dark.


      It will not provide needed contrast to the brick, add 'life' to the front of the house, draw you towards the front entrance, or 'open up the windows'. This is partly why the black shutters do not enhance the curb appeal of the house and look a little out of place.


      If you decide to keep the shutters on the right hand windows, they should also be painted the same contrast color as the rest of the wooden sections.

  • Vimarhonor Vimarhonor on May 06, 2021

    Hello. Such a stunning home. The shutters do not bother me personally. I love the perfect symmetry of your front elevation.


    I would suggest trying to bring attention to your entry doorway. Maybe repainting the doorway color and consider adding clip on flower boxes hanging from your porch fencing. Some bright color using annuals in planters, planter boxes or around your trees might be recommended. Some low maintenance perennials or hostas might be considered around your landscaping to add texture. The plant material options would have to be agreeable to your planting zone.


    For the best local professional advice regarding turf grass a trees and plants I would highly suggest contacting your cooperative extension. These offices are manned by volunteer master gardeners on site there waiting to answer the communities questions that know your local situation quite well.

    Master gardeners are required to volunteer back designated hours ( plus continuing education) each year to maintain MG certification -this community outreach and education is their goal.


    If your office is closed....( ours is open) there might be alternative online venues like Ask an Expert as well as emailing your local master gardeners extension office for their guidance.... in a non contact manner.


    Most plants success depend on their hardness to geographic planting zones. presenting weather conditions and local soil and sunlight exposure.

    Your local experts should have the ideal suggestions for your need.


    • John John on May 06, 2021

      Thanks for the compliment and suggestions. I love the examples in the pics you shared. Especially the one on the left. Thanks

  • Robyn Garner Robyn Garner on May 06, 2021

    I think your home is gorgeous! You've got a wonderful 'base' to build off of. I do think the wood parts ALL need to be repainted in a color(s) that are bright because of the deep shade the house sits in. You can print out a black & white pic of the house and use markers or colored pencils to color the wood sections to see how it will look. Use a really bright pop of color for the front door such as orange, bright yellow, etc. so it can be easily seen from the curb. Adding interesting and colorful 'yard art' to the front will also draw the eye to the home.


    The shutters don't bother me because they frame the two alike windows, leaving the bow windows to stand on their own. Perhaps consider an easy DIY shutter build in cedar? They will stand out in a natural finish, complementing the natural landscape. That, with repainting the wood sections will help make the house stand out.

    btw - painting the underside of the porch a pale blue with help brighten the area underneath and keep bugs away.


    As for landscaping, I would begin at the foundation of the house and work over time extending the beds further to the front. Research native plants for your growing zone and shade!!!! I cannot stress this enough!

    Planting native items will guarantee you the best success in the garden.

    Choose perennial flowering bushes and plants. Plant the tallest items to the back and shorter flowers in front. Keep the tallest plants to a height at maturity that will stay below the level of the windows.


    Have fun!

  • John John on May 06, 2021

    Thanks for the compliments! I like your ideas. I have decided to replace the plain black door with a new one that has a bit more character. I'm considering staining the door, but not sure yet....I definitely dont want to make the house darker. Cedar shutters would definitely blend in more and not stand out so much.


    Thanks

  • Mogie Mogie on May 06, 2021

    Bring in some color and contrast. The house is beautiful but needs color either in the form of plants or spicing up the trim color.

  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on May 06, 2021

    Rather than removing them, change them to a bright color. Also, adding the window box might be okay but it appears you will have to remove the hedge on the far right.

    It's a lovely yard but I think color is what is missing. You can put some large pots with color or add plants that have colorful blooms.

  • Cheryl A Cheryl A on May 07, 2021

    you could remove the two sets of shutters and window boxes would look nice there

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Soadyi_WOI

  • Your home is really gorgeous! Just leave the shutters to where they are, but if you think they're just bland why not spice them up with some nice pop of colors.

  • Janice Janice on May 10, 2021

    Since your gorgeous home has the two large trees providing great shade, I'd paint the shutters and possibly the door about the same color as the curent trim. I'd add lots of colorful perennial flowers and bushes to the yard thast will thrive in the shaded area. Some light colored flowering vines would look great along with some light colored grown cover around the trees. There are severall varieties of sedum that grows horizontally and would cover the empty areas around the trees and would provide color.

  • Deb K Deb K on May 10, 2021

    Hi John, I don't think is looks funny, I really like the shutters, they are on flat windows so they work, you cannot really add to any of the others because they are not designed for shutters, you could add a windowbox in the same color as the shutters to the 2 bay windows on the large window of each and it would add that touch of balance you are looking for. But I would keep the shutters

  • Dee Dee on May 11, 2021

    To balance both sides you could put shutters on the wall on the left.

  • SL SL on May 19, 2021

    I would add some color to the porch area and the front door so it pops. I would remove the two shutters because the house is unbalanced or add shutters to the other windows but I would paint the same color as the porch and front door area. If you wanted to update the railing you could replace the wood slats with rebar and paint it we did this on our side deck. If you wanted to you could add some porch planters to the porch railing for some more pops of colors and fill them with shade-loving flowers.

  • Beka 6 Beka 6 on May 20, 2021

    Window boxes under each weeks look nice and balanced, stopped out and maybe smaller flower boxes or yaller flyers between smaller windows

  • Lindsay Aratari Lindsay Aratari on May 31, 2021

    Paint the shutters and add some window boxes

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Jul 05, 2022

    I would add Shutters to the other windows. I would colour them light olive green. I would also add window boxes to windows on ground floor - colour Pale olive like Shutters and fill with lovely flowers.