It's hard to tell dimensions, etc. from the picture. I'm inclined to not use the existing everygreens. Basically, I would make sweeping beds starting roughly at the end of what appears to be a long top step....is it about 6 feet or more in length (like a landing)? Get your garden hose out and play around with a design of sweeping beds that will incorporate the large trees at either end of the house. Is the one on the left alive? It doesn't seem to have leaves, but the one on the right might be a pin oak and therefore retains old leaves. So on the left side of the house (facing the house), I would start with a bed at the front edge of the long step (in front of the lamp post) and gradually sweep the lines gradually back to the end of the porch...but not too close to the foundation..and then sweep out again gradually to incorporate the large tree on the left into the bed. The same on the right side. Now you don't need much landscape bed or space immediately in front of the trees..perhaps a foot or two. I think those larger/wider/deeper beds next to the walk will provide an inviting entrance. I wouldn't train anything up those columns/pillars. I'd have to see a better picture of the bed areas to recommend specific shrubs/plants. Perhaps a lower growing japanese red maple could be placed in the general area of the lamppost, but make sure it is somewhere in the middle of that left bed so that it won't grow out into the sidewalk...check the varieties for their mature width,etc. before you do so. More later as time permits...

Because those steps are a pain to mow & edge around, I would plant on both sides of them. The previous poster mentioned a Japanese Maple, along with other good ideas. Although expensive, and you say you're staying only five years, it really would be a nice feature to the left of the steps. As it's deciduous, I would underplant with an evergreen ground cover such as Vinca minor. To the right of the steps, I would use an evergreen like spreading English Yew or Ilex 'Helleri' and a flowering ground cover, one of my favorites is Leadwort (Ceratostigma plumbaginoides). You could add a few perennials and/or annuals on both sides if you wish. The shape of the bed should start maybe 10' left of the steps at the sidewalk, a smooth curve up to the top step carrying across the walk and curving down to the sidewalk maybe 8 or 9' right of the steps. A boulder with the Japanese Maple could look very nice.

Up by the house, you could possibly use one of those conical evergreens (Alberta Spruce? Arborvitae?) to the right of the window on the far left. I wouldn't use both, maybe the other to the backyard? Keep your additional shrubs low enough to not get into the glass area of the windows except for maybe some light "framing". Use a balance of evergreen/deciduous/herbaceous plants. Considering sun/shade, form, texture, color, seasonal interest etc. can give great planting results for reasonable costs.

johnfromperrycopa: What a great idea to use the hose! and yes, I agree about not runing vines up the columns. I read in an article on bhg that suggested doing that, but when I messed around with it on photoshop yesterday it looked awful. Yes, the long step is like a landing. And yes the tree on the left is alive, The tree on the right with green leaves is a Magnolia and the one in the front of it holds onto its old leaves until feb/march (or so my neighbor tells me). The tree you see down the driveway is a pine. (I took this picture a few days ago on Jan. 5, so it's a winter picture). I love the idea of a Japanese Maple. Sure it's on the expensive side, but I've got five years to enjoy it! Thanks so much for your thoughts. It's kind of like what I was thinking, only way better.

mactac: thanks for the plant suggestions. I looked up the leadwort and it looks beautiful! It would also go very well with my large container plants (I have purple cordlylines as the tall spiky plant) I probably couldn't use the evergreen in the backyard . . . there are so many trees back there I've got to consider taking some out. :( Do you, (or anyone) know somewhere I could maybe "donate" them? Do people do that? I don't really like the evergreens, but my trash could be someone else's treasure . . .

I also like the idea of using some annuals. Thanks to my two-year old and his love of the backyard, I'm afraid most of my gardening is going to have to be in the front yard this year, so that'd give me a chance to play while I'm waiting for the perenials/bushes/etc. to grow.

Thanks again to you both for your thoughtful suggestions. It helps make the whole process less intimidating and more fun.