Climate area?

thanks for pointing out that I forgot! 7a

Geographical area?

Mid Atlantic— hot and humid during summer, moderate winters with few days below freezing, frequent rain year round.

Could you post a photo from the street? Are you only interested in porch, stairs, and windows or could interest come from the “tiers” in front of the house. I’m in 7a also and can share what is working in my small yard? Is the side your property as well? What you have done so far with renovation is really attractive. Great colors.

Hi- thanks for your nice words about work so far. the old picture is taken from the street, is that a helpful angle?

yes— we’d be happy to use yard as well. currently working on making it more grass than green weeds as it is now so our thought is work in containers/planters as that doesnt require the grass to look any better than it does. Would love to hear anything that is working for you!

For the porch -- just some thoughts:

Although the meter and the wire to the meter would limit options for adding a porch roof to your front stoop, with the black metal railing, you could, however, add a black metal awning over the front entry door.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/22518066870419192/?d=t&mt=login

Add some black metal plant stands that could be taken inside and used indoors during winter to raise the plants off the floor to get some sunlight even indoors so you can save the plants you especially like each winter.

https://www.target.com/p/set-of-3-modern-iron-square-plant-stands-olivia-38-may/-/A-80316865 Metal planter holders that you can hang on the railing -- either that can old dirt or a row of small pots or a single rectangle pot -- could add a lot of curb appeal without crowding the porch.

https://www.target.com/p/set-of-3-modern-iron-square-plant-stands-olivia-38-may/-/A-80316865

Make sure you don't crowd the porch. You need to be able to walk across your porch without knocking stuff over and or tripping.

https://www.google.com/search?q=Planter+boxes+for+metal+porch+railing&client=firefox-b-1-d&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwie3fbDyZrwAhU7GVkFHcYsBdgQ_AUoAnoECAEQBA&biw=1366&bih=626

With the front door facing west, you could create some shade with a rail mounted umbrella -- either one taller than the door or one with an angled post or even a free standing shade umbrella with a wide but flat base you'd not trip over.

https://www.google.com/search?q=Shade+Umbrella+that+attaches+to+metal+railing&client=firefox-b-1-d&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjK1aK2yprwAhU4F1kFHaoyC8gQ_AUoAnoECAEQBA&biw=1366&bih=626#imgrc=gZ0iVCjRzGBGeM 

Landscaping -- just some thoughts:

First know what -- if any -- utilities are buried in your front yard and where they are (water lines or gas lines or sewage lines).

You should check local building codes to be sure this is permitted before beginning the project which could help prevent erosion and make for a neater yard.

See if you can build a couple of short retaining walls -- concrete blocks topped w/cap blocks.

With the shadows, it is difficult to tell, but it appears you have a "landing' in the middle of your steps ... the equivalent of a deeper step ... with steps above and below that.

If you can create a level place in the middle of the slope left of that landing (preferably over to end even with the left edge of your porch), then consider doing that by also creating more of a level space immediately below your porch and more of a level space one step up and alongside your front sidewalk.

You could use the dirt you dig out to create the lower terrace alongside the sidewalk to fill in above the retaining wall used to create a more level space alongside your porch and steps.

Questions:

How much of that area on the other side of the steps and beside your home is your lot?

Have you considered creating a "green fence" to define your north and south property line -- perhaps a row of low growing shrubs that look good year round could do that.

Terraces should make maintaining your front yard a lot easier to do. You stand on the sidewalk to tend the lower terrace, You can mow the flat center terrace and stand on it to tend plants added just above the retaining wall and them mow between those plants and the porch (or planting area alongside the porch.