Is this the front entry to your home?

Are you right on the road or sidewalk or is there a lawn with a set back?

Would you like to have usable space or are you aiming to improve your curb appeal only?

You could fence off the left side with a decorative fence (I can't really tell the style of your house from the photo) and set up a small table and two chairs?

The ideas from Nancy above are lovely.

Nancy- great pics-and I've actually been considering either the pots or the trellises-makes me feel better to see some one else had that idea too.
As I mentioned, the large grass on the left has been removed. We are in a neighborhood off the main street thru the neighborhood.

I would experiment (on graph paper) with adding large pavers on each side of the existing walkway in a staggered design. It would divide the area nearest the garage into two separate planting areas and enlarge the walk to the entry. You could use gravel between the pavers (box stores sell 12", 16" and 24" squares plus 16"x8" rectangles). And metal edging can be scored and bent at right angles.

Sometime picking plants for a several smaller areas is easier than a long rectangle. Do you have a photo with the grass clump removed? That multi-trunk tree looks interesting.

Hostas

I would plunk a lawn chair under your evergreen and just contemplate how you want the front approach of your home to feel. I mean: do you want it formal or very inviting and relaxed? Your decision will determine what materials you use , both hardscaping and plant choices.
I like relaxed - especially juxtaposed with all that brick (beautiful as it is). I would love to see a plan that extended across the front part of the house that juts out, just past the arched window. I don't think you need to take out the concrete path, instead as suggested you could use a combination of large pavers or flagstone. I would make the area a rough quarter circle, around the birch tree with pockets for hydrangea specimens or other shade loving rounded habit plants. Add iron trellis to either side of the window plus the garage wall : as many colourful pots as you like, a comfy bench, with small table & chairs - you'd have a lovely dappled patio with a welcoming front porch feel.