Ideas to spruce up a duplex porch area

[Paul Smythe]

I would love to get the BP Community's opinion on how to spruce up the porch area of a duplex of mine. I am far from an expert and figured the community would be better than me at coming up with ideas. I'll add a picture below.

Any ideas would be welcome. I was wondering about somehow updating the three beams to look nicer. Also maybe changing the vinyl cover on the horizontal support beam. I don't think I'll be adding shutters to these windows, though my plan is to add them to other windows on the front (not pictured here). Maybe staining the concrete. Front porch railings seem unnecessary, but maybe they'd help?

[Will Fraser]

HI @Paul Smythe, I think the biggest "pop" would come through

• - Wrapping the three beams (and possibly the header they connect to) in cedar
• - Replacing the vinyl siding in the gabled end with cedar shake shingle (or faux) or lap siding (Hardie plank)
• - Removing the storm doors and painting the front doors a fresh, popping color.

If you were prepping this for sale I'd say do all three of these, and consider the shutters.  However, operating it is as a rental the key question is always in what tangible way will these impact your rent?