Leave the entry steps and entry walkway as is, they "fit" the home. Current plantings along the front don't suit (and they have been butchered). Select new shrubs and keep them densely planted so as to "hide" the lack of stone under the windows on the left. Remove the planting area at the public sidewalk. Dogs - canines prefer a lawn as the spot to "do their business", they don't like to squat over something uneven or prickly. If you wish, replace the lawn with a ground-cover suited to your climate and watering needs.

I'm in agreement with disliking the existing scheme ... especially the steps abutting the walk, the raised bed and the near-ground planting. I think the picture would be markedly improved by widening the walk and porch steps, setting the fore steps back and making a connecting walk to the drive. As the planting stands now, it is hilarious ... no theme but oddities! Needs to be grossly simplified (and the foundation bed enlarged/deepened.)

While I very much like the renditions showing changes to the steps & walk, BE SURE to check with local permitting office before demolition. New "flatwork" (concrete) must meet code (possible requirement for railings) - your current steps are "grandfathered in".

Thank you so much for these suggestions and amazing drawings! It definitely needs some color... I’m digging the glazed purple planters!

I was looking at other pictures and was thinking century plants with barrel cactus against the house (see picture). Not sure what in the long planter along the house (I hate taking out perfectly good plants!). I’ll have to check code. Another reason to just get rid of the sidewalk steps altogether (then no railings needed!). Thanks

what about something like this for the planter?

Yes! Love the color. It’s agave and fire sticks. Don’t know what the purple and pink are....

Also I’ve been thinking about just painting the garage door the same color as front door (a very dark gray almost black). Much cheaper than new door (I can do it myself!).

Do you have a dog?

Do dogs run free in your neighborhood or is this your neighbor letting the dog, while on the leash or just accompanying your neighbor on a walk, poo on your lawn?

Would build a covered front portico/porch with the the front of the porch roof and/or floor even with the front wall of the garage -- using the same floor level as the height of the current first step out the front door. Put a second square landing one step down from the front end of the porch and add additional steps on the side toward the driveway.

If you can fence in your yard, do. Personally like a very short knee wall (no digging under it) and a sturdy metal fence (black or dark green) atop that. You could then create a green fence inside that actual fence.

Even if you don't build a front porch, seriously consider changing your sidewalk to have it turn toward the driveway so you could plant cacti all across the front even if you didn't have a dog poo problem.

If you're not permitted to fence your yard, then outline your yard with briar rich rose bushes or prickly cacti and add a gate ( with or without an arbor over it) , at the end of your sidewalk -- as is or changed to lead toward the driveway. Even if the rose bushes are not thick to begin with, you should be able to put a short "temporary" support "fence" -- with spiked top if possible -- behind the roses immediately beside the sidewalk to discourage the dogs entry into the yard. Something similar to these:

https://www.amazon.com/Amagabeli-Garden-Fence-Decorative-Black/dp/B0814NQBKN

Until you can resolve the problem with fence or thorns or cacti, if the neighbor is next door or really close, use a flat shovel ) think ... one intended for fire place ashes) to return the poo to the neighbor's yard if asking the neighbor to pick up after their dog doesn't put an end to it.

you could. but I would still do the wood slat here. 100% it will update your house.

update your light near garage, and put your address numbers on a plank of redwood . it's simple to do yourself. just seal the wood w/a spray on UV clear coat (prior to attaching the numbers)

Oh, and top your planter w/the same redwood. see how they did it here? seal it w/a marine grade varnish (underneath too) before attaching.

use the wide spaced, natural redwood, or something a little tighter together and stained a darker redwood shade. like this one. I'd also lose those circle path stones and do something like this one, edged w/the black/gray pebble rock.

thanks for the suggestions @beth! I like the pavers but don’t want the rocks/want it to be as smooth as

possible (even decking concerns me!)

@suezbell.. the dog issue is someone in my neighborhood (Not direct neighbor). it’s truly disgusting And so inconsiderate. I like the cactus idea along sidewalk!!

you could use a tightly packed decomposed granite. I used it on a xeriscape on our rental.

for the parking strip area you could try something like this (with the DG)

but actually plant those barrel cactus or agave plants.

mix these guys in w/some boulders and large pebbles and it should keep the dogs out!

you could also use some fast setting concrete to 'set' these smaller rocks into place so that they don't move