Oh, I just realized there was an easier way to attach a link. Here, try this!

Here is a link that might be useful: House in need of landscaping

Sounds to me like you should put some hostas to the right of your front door. Get a bunch of different colors; blue, gold, green, white. Everyone loves hostas! Stick a Sum and Substance right next to the door. It'll get enormous and scare the neighbors!

One easy fix may be to paint your garage the same color as your house. Then it wouldn't seem like such a big void. Hope this helps.

My thought was to paint the garage doors to match the foundation, but you would still have a big blank space. I think perhaps if you had some kind of mural work or decorative stenciling done on them it might be the best solution. I see a big blank canvas there. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like you have much room to place potted plants around the doors. I have potted coleus and begonias to bring color to my entryway, which only gets some morning sun. Perhaps some hanging baskets on the sides of the door would be nice, too. You have lots of potential there for a welcoming entry!

How much sun actually hits the dirt under the deck? I wonder if it is enough even for hosta....
If that is the case, how does a water feature sound to you? A little stream coming around the corner of the house with a pond for fish right by the door area would be quite nice in my opinion. You could enjoy the sound of water falling up on the deck as well. You could use rocks and boulders that tie in with your brick colors as the visual interest instead of many plantings, with a hole or two for potted plants in select spot(s) that can be switched out weekly to keep them healthy looking- you know- buy two of the same plant- bury 1 pot and all near the pond and the other in a garden bed nearby- and switch them pot and all, occasionally- yes it is putzy- but not much more than watering.
As far as the hose- Do you think a hose pot would look better than a wall mount unit? Could you get away with using one of the coiled cork screw type hoses and just remove it to a box-bench with a flip lid/seat, or other container when not in use?
In the pictures- your brick work is understated and quite beautiful- the color of the door compliments in wonderfully- I wonder if using a stronger color for the garage doors- deck posts and such would make the brick actually pop out to be brighter and even more appealing by making the area under the deck appear brighter than the surrounding area?
I think I would limit the height and busyness of the bed next to the entry way- but I would highlight a statigic planting right where the sightline would impress you most as you open the door to leave- it could be 5 feet away- or 60 or 100 feet away- remember to keep to scale though, at eye-level. Visually- you would be drawn across the vista and not feel closed in.
There are many new fun ways to use lights outdoors too! Imagine what a container planting at either side of the center garage door with an out door small spot light in each pot. pointing up the wall would look like in the evening and all winter! Bold drama of the light reaching up through the plantings making shadow play on the wall through the leaves- and a soft illumination of back light as the light bounces off of the deck above creating a soft glow all below. Or the same small out door spot lights pointed to the rocks in the stream near the door! That gives night lights a whole new meaning! I have seen these in the store- but I do not own one (yet). they have the bulb on one end- and a spike on the other with the cord coming off near the base of the bulb...
You have a beautiful place there- I am sure you will find just what you think it needs- some times it just takes a little while.....
Happy planning to you-
Julie

I have another idea. Put up a retaining wall at the corner of your house, use a block that complements the brick on your house, and then simple expand your hardscape area all the way over from the front door. This will eliminate the slope there and make that entire space under the deck are more user friendly. You could then make a small seating area out there and add potted annuals, statuary, etc. Maybe even a small fountain to greet visitor's. I see alot of potential for that area but first you need to deal with that useless slope. Retaining walls are very much a DIY project. My H and I have installed over 400 feet of walls in our own yard to tame some slopes and make the areas useable. We have also installed two patios made out of pavers and over 200 feet of sidewalk also made with pavers. But even if you decided to hire someone to build that wall and extend the concrete for you it isn't a large project so it wouldn't be really expensive.

I also would suggest painting the garage doors a lighter color. The dark color looks great on your entry door but it is too heavy for the garage doors. And you probably would have room to put some narrower pots between the doors and add some life with greenery/flowers. With the style of your house I would be so much inclined to use alot of flowers, I think pots with green plants/coleus (plants with small flowers) of varying heights would look great with your house.

About that faucet, can it be moved to another location. That is really unsightly right next to your front door. Could it be moved to the side of the garage or even just put the faucet on the inside of the garage?

If you'd like some suggestion's on how to do the retaining wall I'd be happy to share our experiences. With your space it would be a weekend project and no more.

Boy, I should have read that post before I submitted it! In particular....

"With the style of your house I would be so much inclined to use alot of flowers, I think pots with green plants/coleus (plants with small flowers) of varying heights would look great with your house. "

What I meant to say is I would NOT use alot of showy flowers at the garage doors...use green plants of varying heights in pots there. You should be able to back out of the garage and not hit the pots as your car is not as wide as your door...unless you're driving a Hum-Vee! ;)