Too shaded to see your front door - is it behind the wood gate?

Your exterior garage door is near garbage can? Has to be a way to build or buy a bench - with space near for can to be in a taller hide-it box?

move the trash can to other side on garage. trim back the tree or shrub crowding the entrywalk. can it be pruned from below to raise the canopy into a treeform?
make the grassy patch a planting bed with some evergreen shrub by the brick wall. Even better if it has sweet smelling flowers. start with a few perrenials like irises, hardy wild flowers and ground covers or bulbs and fill in with zinnias and easy annuals the first few years.
even if you keep the rocks, add some interest with some drought tolerant plants and maybe a boulder.
I would and something quirky to the fence by the entry. it could be a classical plaque or a silly sign . just something to identify the entry.

Our front door is behind the wood gate and our exterior garage door is near garbage cans. We were thinking of bringing the front fence forward to hide the garbage cans better, but I'm not sure.

Not this long - if you have only 1 can. But what I meant was same painted/ stained color for a bench to the side/ at the walkway to front door... and yes whatever greenery would suit.

It looks like you are limited as to space..... how about adding a bench and a "container" garden" You can grow a variety of plants, both decorative and /or edibles in pots. You could also choose to do a birdbath and bird feeders, but they can leave a mess (bird droppings).

Bamboo in pots

herbs grown in a container

decorative flowers and bench

Bird bath

Get a new gate. The one you have isn't very welcoming. Are you in California where there are watering restrictions? If not, plant a decorative shrub centered on the wall next to the garbage can. Put in groundcover there also and get/make a screen for the garbage can. The bottom photo has a nice idea for a screen.

I would also trim the bush and put in a beautiful gate. But I would put the garbage can in the garage and make that front corner into a cozy patio with some furniture and plants and maybe a fountain on the wall. I would also change the pathway leading up through the front yard to a more interesting stone and maybe some curves.

Looks like you're in an arid place. Take a look at Xeriscape.

smi_ca,

Before the suggestions begin, what type of style do you personally like? Modern, traditional, craftsman?