What about adding shutters to the window over the garage and getting some flowering Azaleas for under the windows in the front. Also, you could line the sidewalk with lights, decorative rocks or potted plants.

nikitasmom - I second the mulch! It would make a huge difference. You just need a few plants, an azalea and some grasses? Maybe even a few moss rocks. Paving the area closest to the porch - yes! and have some potted annuals for "color." there .... Trim, square up the existing bush in front of the dining room bay.Depending on weather, you could do a white lattice between the 2 windows closest to the front porch with a nice vine if you can get a mature plant.
It seems like a bit much, but would you be willing/able to paint the dark siding on the garage roof peak? Maybe someone else would have a brilliant color suggestion there. My first thought would be white.

I would take down the fern hanging in front of the front door and put it on a plant stand to the left of the door on the porch. Paint the front door a pop color like brick red perhaps. Add mulch and plants from my local hardware store. Also consider adding window boxes under the two matching windows to create a focal point. Consider lightening up the shake siding on the garage gable to match or coordinate with the little awning roof over the garage door. Also the bay window is beautiful and you should draw attention to it with color from plants and mulch. It would also be lovely to balance the yard by bringing a little garden planting area with knockout roses or something similar, where your sidewalk meets the curb. A larger project would include creating a walkway from your driveway to your front door. You probably go through the garage to get inside but a flagstone stepped walkway would be nice for potential buyers viewing your home.

The sidewalk looks dinky in proportion to the house. While you're getting pavers for the dirt area, get enough to put a row (preferably side-by-side) on either side of the walk to tie everything together.

When I look at a blank slate like this I tend to think about larger plants on the corners to soften the height and take away the boxy look of the bare house. I'm thinking a slender unpright juniper or holly next to the garage. I too think you should pave the area by the front steps and make it more of a landing. Nice big pot of flowers by the steps you can change with the seasons. From the pictures I dont know that you need a lot of shrubs. Somone mentioned azaleas, they make great foundation plants if your conditions are right. I would get rid of the walkway and stepping stones that go across the front and around the corner, making the beds wider and you can get a layerd look by adding perennials for some more color. I agree move the hanging basket so its not blocking the door. maybe hang one off the post? I love Pine Hall's idea of widening the front walk.

First of all,I would replace the straight sidewalk with a curving one down to the driveway.Window flowerboxes would look nice on the house and maybe a Lime green for the front door.

Sidewalk, but cost limitations. Shutters area great recommendation. Plant and shrubs with color are also great suggestions.

I would also suggest a lighter color on the dark brown gable. Would be nice to get some natural light at your front door porch, maybe it's just the photo.

Make sure the beds you create have curves to come down the walk about 5 feet and curve back to the house. And painting the gable and front door to match would help .

We installed a new walk. I don't have any after pics yet, but here's an "in process" one. Note big tree also removed, as its trunk was likely to split.