I would put a large, deciduous tree on the southwest or west side of your house—in the lawn to the left of your walkway. This afternoon shade will prevent your home from getting as hot during summer, but allows some heat gain during winter. You could put another large tree in the lawn southwest of the garage(?). Make sure these are at least 20-30 feet from the building. A local nursery is the best place to ask about plants for where you live. Your neighbors can also give you advice on what has worked for them.

Place a windbreak of conifers behind your home to protect against prevailing winter winds. Windbreaks are usually made of several rows of trees, but one row does help, and it's a start if you decide to add more trees later.

I think you should use only low growing shrubs (under 3 feet) mixed with perennials along your porch. Use groups of evergreen and deciduous shrubs for all year interest. Medium shrubs could go along the south side of the garage, but pay attention to the expected mature height and width of shrubs when shopping. Dwarf only means smaller than the species. If a shrub will be 5 foot wide at maturity it should be planted about 3 feet from a building, fence or path.

fine gardening/fundamentals of foundation plantings <- an interesting read

Good advice from mindshift :-)

There's no such thing as a garage that's too big ;-) But I can see you don't want to emphasize it; so I'd plant a row of four or five red cedars in front of it -- maybe 10 to 15 feet out from it -- far enough so you can always easily walk between garage and trees, and could possible park an extra vehicle there. (Not leyland cypress, they get way to big). Keep it green and "boring" to look at.

To anchor a house to its landscape, nothing beats a large tree behind the house, providing greenery between the roof and the sky. Tulip Trees grow tall and pretty fast, or use your favorite. It'll take a while, but plant for the future.

Evaluate your roof for solar.

I love your porch. When planning your landscape, think about where you'll sit, what direction you'll look, and are there any views you want to screen out.

Mindshift- thank you so so much for these tips and insights. I was heavily conflicted on what to do directly in front of the porch. Your advice is spot on what I needed to hear.
Nickel- will read that article right away! I’m trying to learn all I can about scale, proportions... it’s mind boggling!
I really like your idea of evergreens in front of garage. Thank you so much, will definitely be implementing that idea.

That garage should have been behind the house. Good luck landscaping your way out of that one.

Joseph, we haven't seen the whole site or the whole house plan. There might have been good reason for space to be allocated this way. The only thing I wonder about is, do visitors park in front and use the front door on the porch, and only family drives 'by' to the other side to enter the garage? (it kind of looks that way).

Plus, sometimes having an ell to shelter in is cozy. Extra sun and wind protection, perhaps.

One thought I had, the roof is a grey blue slate type look. (Can’t tell from this photo)
If I add plantings that were blue-hued such as a pyramid type blue juniper on the corners- would that help or would that make the garage look even more expanded due to flowing into the roof?

Nickel- thank you for your thoughts. Yes there is indeed a lovely pond and seasonal creek along one side and back of the home, which is why the garage was placed where it was.
Guests pull up on a circle drive in front of the walkway. We are in process of expanding for more parking. Family pulls around to the garage. Thank you all for your insight!