I would paint the concrete rectangle a light gray. Add more colorful planted pots to the far-side of the door. Maybe find a small flag that says, "Welcome" and hang where the door is, so you can see it from the garage.

The easiest, most budget friendly solution may be to set some interesting tile in charcoal, grays, white tones on that section between the garage and the house. Move your two beautiful green planters side by side under the little window, and plant something taller and narrower in them, with annual color. In the long term, I would look at taking out part of the rockwalled beds by the street sidewalk,. Create more of a separate connection from the narrow home entry to the sidewalk using landscape along the right side of the drive with a new hardscape connection to the main sidewalk.

I would choose a color for contrast on the fascia and around the windows. Add molding in contrast color around the garage door. Paint the garage door the same house color and then add the trim color in two bands of color. Paint the gate the house color and the wall next to it. Paint the sidewalk to the entry a terra cotta color. Remove some grass at the right of the driveway and widen the entry path. Add a planter box on the left of path with a vine. Add large potted plants. Also add some open wood slats along the path tthrough the passageway between the rooflines.

Have you thought about replacing the garage door? That is the greatest portion front of your house and that dark door seems to be overpowering the rest. Check out our Coastal Cottage Collection for some ideas: http://www.dynamicgaragedoor.com/custom-garage-doors_coastal-cottage.php

I second the impulse to pave the concrete in some gray and off-white decorative tiles from the front line of the house through this space and to the front door - a "follow the yellow brick road approach" Here's another idea - I see that you have some gorgeous awnings on the front window that must be operable. Consult with an awning specialist about a wrought iron frame for a juliet type awning hung up and over that entry portal - angle brackets on the horizontal trellis with the same striped awning fabric would also indicate "entry." I like the cottage garage door, but that doesn't really address your issue. One final suggestion - where the main house sits forward of the garage at the entry, a piece of outdoor art in wrought iron would be gorgeous against that stone and again, indicate they were on track coming into an area you decorated for them. I would use something like an outdoor tryptich canvas set on the side of the garage once past this area to lead them to the turn to the front door.

Finally, the other solution is to actually add an entry "door" or gate with sidelights right here with a bell wired to your house. It is very charming to think you are at the front door (and you could use a salvage architectural piece painted in a charming green color) even something with a window that clearly leads to the courtyard - people will use a garden gate / any prominent door and then follow the clues.

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I too second libradesigneye's idea about the gate and side panels. Check out some of our previous projects: http://www.dynamicgaragedoor.com/custom-gates.php