I would beef up area in front of fence with nice bed and upright shrub for framing a fountain inside fence for a small courtyard seating area. A stone bench and patio weather resistant drape panels to frame entry and draw people visually and physically to front door. A remedy for a hidden front door. To the left of fence entry I would add colorful tree or shrub again upright something tall. And add a lot of bright flowers and bright greens to this bed. Inside fence to right near drapes, a large black pot loaded with great plants for big statement.

simple fountain inside fence would create relaxing spot and a great draw to the front door.

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You don't have a brick wall, but the fountain could be surrounded with blue flagstones and a couple chairs for a nice little hidden garden/courtyard.

Outside drapery is an creative way to say "hey, this is entry". You could do a likle "Asian" zen fountain too. Lots of options.

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No to the beams and shutters. Keep the beautiful simplicity of this as it is. I agree with all the landscaping ideas from Flo.

Nice-looking house. Nice fence and path to the front door. Very nice landscaping, but some colorful annuals would be a nice touch. Don’t remove the tree!! The neighbor’s house is visually very close to yours, but there is nothing you can do about that. Perhaps your neighbor would be willing to add some plants along the red brick wall to give the area some softness and dimension.

I’d change the light, larger and grander. I hate to say it, but the tree blocking the window would have to go if it were my house, I hate trees blocking windows, put in a fountain there and surround it with trellises and vines. Love Flo’s planting ideas both inside and outside the fence. Looks like the other side of the fence is a pathway for the neighbors, not much you can there.

Keep the crepe Myrtle! Just have it pruned so that the main branches can show their sculptural beauty. Then, invest in an upright that will shine through the branches of the tree at night. It will be lovely. I also like Flo Mangan’s suggestion to focus on the area inside your fence. To me, your home has a “French” vibe to it. Have you considered a larger lantern over your front entrance? I strongly suggest that you look at those that have brackets on them called what are called “Mustache Brackets.” I think that one of them would enhance your entrance and make a “statement.” A lovely home!

Yes, I was going to mention the exterior light. A much larger light is in order. I would select style after you decide on style of fountain. I see a more transitional style to your home so I will find something for you. Bbl

This is a great look and size for you home. You have to verify measurements so you get right size but the bigger the better here.

They styling walks the line between traditional (lantern) and modern (clean straight lines) plus the extension and how it would hang give it enormous presence. Great value for the money.

Thanks for all the great ideas so far everyone! One point of clarification is the light is actually a gas lantern

A word on the crepe myrtle. It should be cut back every Feb and kept compact. But, I would move this to another location and put a “specimen” tree such as a Japanese Maple with dark red leafs. Add a large gray tone bolder and change plants to support that look. What direction does the area with the CM face? Japanese Maples fry in South Southwest exposure. So pick a specimen tree that suits that exposure.

I think this could be a protected spot where a Japanese maple could flourish. Just make sure you plant one away from house enough to give it room to grow.

I was actually interested in adding a Japanese maple or Japanese Magnolia somewhere. The front of the house faces south

I see your light is gas. So just get gas lite one if you want to keep the gas. Odd spot for gas light.

If that corner by the fence gets shade I'd make a nice sitting area with a table and a couple chairs. With landscaping to give some privacy I see it as a place to sit and view what is happening in the front of house.

Never ever cut back a crepe myrtle.
in my area of central Texas we refer to that as crepe murder. You can take off a branch or two selectively but cutting it back in the spring just makes it look AWFUL in the winter with the knots it makes on the branches. Plant something else if you don’t like it’s structure.

Have to disagree on not trimming CM. I am South of Houston and have done this for years. No knots at all. You cut off dead flower pods some branches. It is fine. They then develop flowers that bloom in late May and early June.

If house faces South, you can’t keep Japanese Maple alive. It will burn out. A weeping mulberry would work.

It might be too hot a spot for Japanese Maple too.

Weeping Mulberry can be beautiful all year round. Requires proper trimming threw growing season. When leaves drop it has very interesting limb structure.

Those of us who know and love crepe myrtles have an on going debate about the best method of caring for them. I am of the “judiciously prune” camp and have carefully instructed my tree trimmer NOT to “murder” my trees by cutting them back so hard they have “knuckles.” (Aka known as “knuckling” the tree.) Pretty trees when planted in the right location.

A Japanese Maple would be gorgeous, but Flo is right about heat exposure. Some varieties can acclimate but they do best in filtered light. We're in Southern CA, so our JM's are pretty much in spots where they're protected from too much sun.

Yes, chloebud, I cut the CM blossoms of in February because this is best tone to trim them here in our climate. I don’t chop off to main trunk. Mostly trim about 1’ of each branch. They look fine and leaves start popping out here the end of March. They are full green out now here.

Hi Flo Mangan! Could you check out my post link and help me? I appreciate your opinion. Thanks! https://www.houzz.com/discussions/5965627/help-with-curb-appeal-the-maple-and-also-full-sun-plants#25833411

Hi! I will try to look at your post tomorrow. But, sorry to say the choice of a beautiful and expensive Japanese Maple for full sun is a mistake. They are under planting trees which means they need shade. You likely will loose that tree. Especially if it faces south and or west. You have to put up a way to give it shade. Your yard doesn’t appear to have any shade. I will look further later and try to provide some ideas for you.

Do you like stone, maybe do some kind of flagstone all the way up the front of the entrance area? Like others, I would also keep the tree, and then add landscaping on the other side...I don't know how much grass you have, but if it's not a lot, maybe remove it all and have a landscaper draw up a plan for you. I'm assuming you're keeping the fence/gate maybe rip out the grass on the inside, along with the walkway, and add pavers, and extend it towards your neighbors house to do a small little sitting area/courtyard with more landscaping & potted plants for privacy.

Hi Fio Mango! I think so too and I'll try to move it in the next days. It is unfortunately, because my husband and I would very much like to have a maple in the front yard to help with the landscape. If the only way to save it is to move it then I will, because now we can't spend on any fix cover and I think the temporary shade cloth cover it's not pretty. I will try to post more pictures by tomorrow. Thanks a lot!

Check your thread. I just posted there. 😊

Beautiful home! Adding a narrow pergola that runs from the entry to the gate would visually extend the entrance and beckon visitors in. I see it in a nice warm, rich wood that echoes the colors in your roof trim. Then plant a climbing vine to grow up and over the trellis. Jasmine would be lovely if the conditions are right, and it also brings a delicate scent. Soft lights would illuminate the path at night. If possible, I’d remove the spikes from the fence. They’re screaming “stay away” at me 😊.