Would you be open to changing the steps to a front facing terraced entry leading to a different door with a glass side light? Also, maybe skip the low matching window for the right and think of a higher planting bed for symmetry and interest. A wider trim around the right side windows would be nice.

I was just thinking about changing the stairs to front facing...Just want to make sure I'm following you on 'terraced': you mean 3 steps from the porch to a landing, then 4 more steps to the ground?

That looks great!

Wow, JustTerrilynn that DOES look spectacular! I love being able to visualize it, too! I'll scale it out to see if it can be done, given the height of the porch--the raised beds might need to be too high, could cause some drainage issues. But I'm sure I can do a version thereof...I really like the door and the window trim, too!

That does look great, Terrilynn. Even if you couldn't have raised beds that high, Flowerful, a row of flowering shrubs like hydrangeas planted below those smaller windows and maybe flower boxes at the windows (if your climate allows) would break up that plain wall. I really like the straightened out steps a lot.

I would talk to a professional about the planting area and drainage.

When I did my stacked stone planting bed I lined it with a decent quality weed barrier fabric. This kept the dirt in but let excess water drain out.

You could use the top of the low window on the left as a height for the planting bed on the right which would also line up with the landing area of the steps. A nice sight line. I wouldn't go higher . You would want to grade that area first before doing the stacked stone. If that sight line looks too high in real life aim for the center-ish (like I did) of left low window. The other reason to speak to a professional is to ask about the lower part of the house near planting bed to find out if it needs some sort of waterproofing .

Justerrilyn, thank you for the sight line comment, that's helping tremendously with scale! I think I'd also make one practical addition:

I'd terminate the rear of the planting box a foot or so before the edge of the eaves, where not even weeds will grow because it's too dry; Installing a french drain there would carry any excess water away from the foundation & off to the side, avoiding foundation problems; Layered with with weed cloth & limestone screenings for weed control this would also create a pathway access the bed from the rear. With shrubs in the back, I don't think this would be noticeable from the road.

MaggiePatty, I like the window box idea too! I've never had them, tho--what impact does climate have on them? I'm in the north...

OP, what do you mean by "replacing tiny window on the left" - what tiny window?

"For more symmetry"? Actually I think you already have some really nice informal balance going on (aka "asymmettrical balance"). The larger window on the left balances the two smaller windows on the right. Even the basement window w/dividers fits very nicely in that space under the bigger window above.

And then with Jerrilyn's tweaks (especially the improved stairs/door area and the beefier window trim) - that all pulls everything together very nicely - really nothing more I can suggest! Maybe color - if siding has to be gray I would want one with more "oomph" to it - is it paintable?