Maybe a trellis? I see a TON of people put a star, but that's not my style.

A trellis would be a good choice...much better than hanging a wreath or some other type of decor. You'd most likely need to remove part of the shrub to make room for the trellis and plant. Looks like the shrub could be boxwood? I would keep it trimmed low like it is now and under the two windows. Just clear the center section.

When you get around to,painting, etc., don't worry about shutters. They won't work/fit in this case.

No wreath, a trellis... many available online (nicer ones) & some of the chain HD type stores.

It wow. A trellis never even occurred to me. I love that idea! But I'm still clueless. Something like this? In a natural wood color? Any links or photo ideas are very appreciated!!

you can't put a trellis there because of the hedge. how are you going to plant something to climb up the trellis? you can't put it in front of the hedge and lean it back! Is the hedge staying?

I wouldn't put anything there. Leave it alone.

just clean up the rest of the yard, the fencing, etc and it will look fine. when you get a chance, do a brighter trim or house color that doesn't look so depressing. (who picked those colors?) what is going on w/the sad picket fence? at the very least, get some white paint and spend your energy on that.

get some colorful flowers, bedding soil and plant those in the dirt area in front of the hedge. that will brighten up that spot.

btw, these are what a trellis would look like in that spot (without the hedge! you can't have both)

Don't hang anything. I will post a couple creative ideas in a little bit. Bbl

A trellis with a smaller vine like clematis could be nice and I think it would work behind the hedge. You could hang big house numbers there. It would fill the space and be easy to spot from the road.

Usually, it is best to develop an overall game plan for the entire yard, and then you can tackle it a bit at a time. Having said that, if you want to take away the look of that block of gold color on the house, you can start by removing the shrubs in front of it. That doesn't cost anything, and it will open up the space for something creative. Here are a couple of ideas, recognizing these are just to "tide you over" til you have a whole game plan. But I don't believe in doing things twice, so these could be incorporated into your overall landscape design plan.

After you clean out the shrubs, you can go to a junk yard or place that sells old doors and find a beat up door you can buy for next to nothing. Then pick a fun color (for your house I might do an orange, or turquoise) and paint and give it a worn look. The buy a planter box and attach it to the door and plant vines, and flowers into it. Put mulch around the bottom area and for very little money, you will have a conversation piece that will make you smile when you come home! You won't notice the big gold block of empty on the front of the house at all. Now that is if you are the eclectic type. Here is another approach.

Beth, I have no clue who painted the house. Not me for sure. And the fence is at the top of our to do list. It's the next project after fixing this terrible drainage issue in the backyard. 1st is Drainage, 2nd is fence (front and back), 3rd is landscaping. I was just hoping for something simple and fairly inexpensive to "happy" this little piece up while we fund the necessary boring and expensive projects.

Pull out those shrubs below the gold panel, and create a rounded portion to the bed. Buy a cute inexpensive birdbath and place it under the gold panel. Put some nice redwood mulch under it and perhaps find a couple inexpensive garden chairs and create a little seating area to watch the birds. Might even get a small bird seed feeder. Welcome look. Create a little seating area with inexpensive set like this.

Flo, I love your ideas. Especially for this neighborhood:) But maybe you're right and I am jumping the gun. An overall game plan is needed before I start picking little things to do. It's just so overwhelming! I went from condo life where I had a potted plant and zero grass to deal with, to this huge, weed infested craziness! At least the pups are pleased:)

oh wow. you have your hands full!

i'm sure you'll make it beautiful in time! It's a nice home. I like Flo's ideas.

The trellis could work, but not w/the hedge in place.

You could put it behind the hedge, but you would have to grow it above the hedge height elsewhere before planting it, so it wouldn't be an immediate fix. You could remove the hedge as Flo mentioned and then plant something. I agree that getting a complete landscape plan together before doing anything is a good idea. If you put something there, you'll be less likely to want to change it later when you have a plan for the rest of the yard.

Watch yard sales for things that would make a "happy place" out front, that will help you survive the backyard woes. Find out where the water is coming from. Have to do a "root cause" analysis on that problem. If you have had a lot of rain, probably run off that isn't being properly directed away from the roof (rain gutter?) (clogged rain gutters), filling low spots with water. Anyway, a temporary trench to the street in the ground will help get the water draining off so you can figure out what is going on and get the proper steps done to figure it out. Lots of water around a wood fence is an invitation for insects to make a happy home and if it is around your foundation, that is a bigger problem. So, yes, high priority on the water problem. Good luck on that. However, that bit of fence in the front would go pronto if I were there. It will make the whole front look sooooo much better being gone! Good luck!

I don't like the current state of the front fence, but I love the idea of being able to sit on the front porch with the pups and not have to worry about them running off chasing the neighborhood opossums. Currently, the front gate is broken, so I'm not able to enjoy that spot like I want to. I do want to keep the fenced in area there so the boys can hang out with me. Attached current state of front porch and the view. It's not much to look at yet, but I still enjoy my coffee and wine out there:) Do y'all think I can get away with painting that little fence white when the new back fence will most likely be natural?

I think painting all of the trim white would really make a big difference. That dark trim makes the house look dark and dingy. Depending on what that room is, you could just put in one big window.

You have a lot of potential here. I don't know what condition that wood fence is in, but white washing it wouldn't hurt. White might not be best color though with other colors. Maybe a darker brown would be better. I see your cute little bistro table and chairs. I understand about your puppies. So just do what you can with your wall of gold! Good luck.

Thanks so much for y'alls advice. Flo, I especially love the old door idea. Exactly my style! I'd love to add something similar in the backyard once I transform it from the waterfront property it becomes after a big Louisiana rain. My old condo had this perfect little balcony with the sweetest view. Attached. I miss it so much and am so anxious to create a new, peaceful oasis at the new house. It will just take patience. Gonna get a landscape architect out asap to get us started.

Hit the flea markets and hang something there that you like...I love the old metal pieces...as shown on the front spaces on our house..some I paint to coordinate with house colors...but they could be just black or a bright color if you like...

I can sure see how you would miss that sweet spot. I love that door thing too and it would look adorable on your back fence once you drain the lake! A good sense of humor will take you a long way! Here is another one in a back yard for fun.

This is an actual gate I believe but you could create a cute one in your backyard. In face, you could create a French Drain under an arrangement like this with a fountain in the middle. Puppies would love running around that! :)

The trim color looks nice with the brick. Painting the fence that color would bring it together. The hedge is the boring element. Replace it with plants that look more natural and only get as tall as the sills. The bed could be extended out even with the fence and curve in an S shape back to the corner of the house. That would make mowing easier without the square corner.