If I were you I think putting a porch running along the house from the front door to the second bay window would do a lot for the house. Then I would landscape, taking out that overwhelming bush that hides the house.

I totally agree with the post above. That bush is hiding every improvement you will want to make.

A porch the length of the front will provide room for a colorful bench or two, some colorful pots with annuals in them. Depending on where you live, you'll need to find flowers that will grow in what appears to be a constantly shady area.

I'd also make a ring around the tree with stones, rocks or some other edging material and plant a nice garden in there as well. You could use perennials or annuals, but again, check with a nursery in your area for things that will grow in the shade.

Once the bush is gone, it appears there may be a garden area under it and the lamp post. It appears to be next to the walk way to the door. You could plant a garden there as well. For all the flowers you are going to want to use bright and colorful ones.

I'd paint the door a bright color that goes with the grey and white you have. I think red would be great. I like the somewhat monochromatic colors in the siding, brick & trim.

Be realistic. Why should the bush go? It needs some cutting and that's it. It's exactly at the right place. Second: you have a huge tree that provides shadow, t's a wonderful thing to have but remember it's roots occupy at least as much room as the crown that is whatever you plant under or near it won't survive! Place new plants in rock containers instead.

a lifted flowerbed can be an alternative

I have to say, you are in need of a good design! Working around a shrub that is in a difficult place may impede your ability to pull this together in a meaningful way. Could you post another photo of the driveway taken from the street? For now, I do not like how the lamp and the current path to the front door are adjacent to the garage.The effect it gives is a bit ordinary and utilitarian, but most of all unwelcoming. If you would like to add angles, you could begin with creating an experiential walk up to the front door:
1. First, a question: Do you have access into your home directly from the garage so that you do not need to use this existing path to get to the front door to take in groceries, etc.?
2. Assuming you have direct access into the house from the garage, this path could become a secondary pass through that one would only use to go directly to the garage.
3. This leaves a great opportunity to rework this front area. You already have a terrific asset, your beautiful and mature tree. That is great news, because when you finish your project, the effect will look established and complete. You will not have to wait for a sapling to grow up to be a beautiful tree like this one.
5. I recommend a designer to help you design this project. Look on Houzz.com for a designer in your area whose style you admire. Having said that, if you want to give it a try, begin by measuring what is currently there, the residence, the drive, and the existing plants, lawn etc. You can put them on paper in a scaled drawing. This will give you a plan for what needs to be done. Your contractor will need a plan to base your ideas on. Without a plan and a good contractor, you could end up with a mess on your hands.
4. The walkway would look better from a curb appeal standpoint and will make your visitors and neighbors feel more welcome if you pulled it out away from the residence. If you keep the lamp I would move it to the new location as well. Doing so will have the effect of visually distancing the pathway from the garage. Instead, plants in a raised planter could fill this former pathway area, visually softening and downplaying the garage area. (See below for planting under a tree). This will allow you to work in a new pathway by removing part of the lawn further down the drive. In plan view, be sure to also check if you can shave any driveway space off and create new areas for a different approach on the pathway and new plantings. You will still need a functioning driveway, but from this angle the drive seems over-sized for a single garage and from the current photo angle I can not tell what your backing out situation is.
5. You mentioned adding angles, and a new path could be an inexpensive and lovely way to do this. A standard 45 degree construction angle off the driveway is a soft angle that is also easy to design, measure and install. It could have another 45 degree angle at one point to return toward the front door. The pathway could be a 4 piece tumbled pavers, crushed granite or brick. All of these options would let water get to the existing root system underneath. I would avoid concrete, it may crack with tree roots so close, and will not allow water to percolate through.
6. An extension of this walkway could lead to an area with pots and a bench. This may be a way to add color and interest out front.
7. I would also recommend working with an arborist who can identify your tree, and give you recommendations on taking care of your trees roots so that the tree does not decline or die from any future plantings. Certain trees are more tolerant than others of root disturbance. Follow his or her recommendations and proceed cautiously. Doris Taylor, in Fine Gardening has a nice article that could begin to educate you about this process.
8. Raised planter beds would be a lovely option, and could become part of the walkway design. Pots can be another solution to this and a variety of sizes and shapes that coordinate will would be lovely. If you are in a frost zone, purchase pots accordingly so you do not have ruined pots over time.
9. Good luck with your project!
Shelly Ann Abbott, MLA, APLD
Landscape Design West, LLC