I like the nandina in the small bed and the palm hiding by the corner of the house. Just about everything in between the two should go.

Smaller shrubs against the house. Add an island bed in the lawn and maybe a bed against the driveway. That would be a good start :-)

Color ideas...and a nicely landscaped yard...

landscape idea: more variation needed in your landscape...too many bushes all the same height and color in front of your house..

The house and front door are hiding behind the overgrown shrubs. Looks like you don't want company. Maybe add an uncovered, small patio area to open up the entry!

Remove all the bushes and replace with low level landscaping that does not make your house look like it is squatting. Adding a paved walkway along the drive that takes you straight to the front door would add elegance. Keep paint colors in same family.

I can't tell what type of shrub the longer hedge is, but cut it down to about a foot high&wide, see if it grows back and keep it short. If it doesn't you can always take it out and get something else. Take out the bush in front of it and/or move it more towards the garage door. Give the window some space.

And I think a classical palette will look good on your house.
White with pale blue and navy blue. Yellow with white and green. White, cream, seablue/navy. Green with cream and dark grey. What colors do you prefer?

BM Vale mist for the body: http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/valemist
Paint the garage door and trim th esame color, so the eye is not drawn to them, but to your front door instead.

BM Gentlemens Gray for shutters: http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/gentlemansgray#ce_s=gentl

And Oxford white trim: http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/oxfordwhite

Remove all the shrubs, the nandina and the palm. Leave what looks like some type of myrtle tree and the hosta underneath. Plant fountain grass where the nandina was.

Keep the dog! :-)

Because I can't see the porch I won't make recommendations as to what to plant in front of it.

Hope to see updates!

I agree, the existing shrubs must go! I would extend the planting bed to the driveway and define the bed with stone edging. I recommend using a natural stone edging instead of a brick. It creates a better barrier, doesn't fade and lasts much longer. Encore azaleas and emerald 'n' gold euonymus look and keep good color year round. I also suggest rock accents to break up the continuity of all the mulch. I agree with the classical palette for color options on your home! Good luck with your project!!

Here is a better view of the stone edging. I also think recessing a few boulders across the front landscape bed would look great!

Thought I would share our paint colors as we also have a ranch home we just painted This is SW messenger bag. The shudders are SW Mount etna. The porch is a limestone green that we customized and the front door is a Cranberry color ( forgot the name)

You have some excellent suggestions. I agree with backbonemountain that by planting only around your foundation you have made the home univiting. A nice patio/courtyard would be wonderful and will make your home appear larger. You obvously live in a warmer climate (by your home style and planting material) so extend your homes space by creating outdoor areas. I would tackle the landscaping before addressing the house color. I think the landscaping will do more to change your opinion of your home than the color. Other things not mentioned are your house numbers placement, I would center over garage door. Update your lighting with black fixtures & larger scale. When you pick your color scheme I would paint the porch column the color of the trim. I would change the frontdoor. The oval window really is misplaced on your house. I think a window on the door is important for your style home and much more inviting to approach than a solid door. I would prefer a larger square window with a ratio of 3/4 window to 1/4 solid panel. All of the major paint companies offer free programs to upload your homes image & repaint it!!

Here's a picture after i trimmed the bushes. I'm thinking about the gray with white trim. And I do want to add a paver walk and small porch. That will come with money. Anyone have any inexpensive easy fix ideas? Thanks!!

Painting the front door an orange or yellow tone that works with the blue on the house would provide instant impact. (I would also suggest removing the collection of pots on the sidewalk to tighten up the appearance.)