I'm sure it seems overwhelming, but you will get lots of ideas on here! never fear! :) Please keep the trees though. that's my only request :) It's nice that the previous owners didn't put in a lot of stuff because this way you have a clean palette to start and you can plant what you like without having to remove icky old bushes :) Definitely need a plan of some kind before you begin and decide how you want your property look..i mean what kind of feeling do you want when you come home? :)

I think it would be a good idea to paint the white areas more of a cream/light khaki.

Monkey grass (with a good edging - it can be invasive) - would be a classic look to help the sidewalk. For the planter, on the left side of the window, I'd plant a piracantha.

Your trees are fab! PLant 2 more evenly spaced on the right side of the house.

Or, plant Carolina jessamine which has lovely yellow flowers. Either way, you'll need wires or a trellis to train the plant.

Replace the mailbox & post - they look tired. On the right side, a half-circle shaped bed with shrubs would add some interest. To the left of the window, I'd plant shubs in the planter (whatever is hardy in your area, check the growth chart for something that will stay small), and then plant colorful flowers in the remainder of the box. Hard to tell the depth, if it's deep, add a row of boxwood behind the flowers.

Where the grass is not growing under the trees, you could make beds & plant very low maint. jessamine ground cover. I've been very happy with mine.

felixgrantham- plant the Jessamin where?

I'm definitely keeping the trees though pretty sure I don't want to add more. It's a large property, corner lot so it'd be easy to go overboard and cause alot of work for myself. Both hubby and I work and we have 3 kids. Don't want totally maintenance free but not so extreme I have to be pruning something every single day.

As far as the look, I want to keep in line with the style of the home. I'm not the greatest gardener but I love tending a flower garden. It's very relaxing and that's how I want to feel...relaxed.