Those holly bushes have seen their best days long ago. See how bare they are at the bottom. Pruning won't replace what poor pruning practices in the past have done to them. What do you find appealing about them that couldn't be upgraded by fresh new plants that require less maintenance and don't poke you all the time? Black mulch will heat up; I would avoid it. My favorite mulch is natural cypress that deters pests and degrades into the soil nicely over time. You might want to get the opinion of a professional arborist on the condition of your trees before you make a complete plan.

Decoenthusiaste is right. I suggest going to a small garden center and having them draw up a fundation planting plan and suggest layered shrubs that will enhance your house. Ask them to choose only native shrubs, which grow best under your local water and light conditions. Have a total plan even if you can't do it all at the same time.

These aren't the right plants for your zone, but look what can be done with deep beds. This is very simple and has a variety of plants, contrasting colors, and heights.

I am a big fan of renewal pruning. Unfortunately, at least some of your hollies look beyond that. See how thick the trunks are? The other problem is that they should have been pruned so the tops are narrower, so that the sun can reach the lower branches.

You might look into boxwoods. Some are fairly slow growing, so only need an occasional pruning. They create a soft look.

Grass needs sun to thrive, so you may need to limb up the tree in front.

Another vote against black mulch. My favorite is pinestraw, but that depends what is available locally.

I can't exactly deal with removing the holly bushes right now. I have two senior dogs that are dealing with medical issues, one has cancer and I have to do medications 3 times a day and multiple feedings, so it is kind of a lot on me right now. However, I feel I could take on smaller projects that could help "pretty up" the area a little more until I am able to take on a bigger project. I would love to get rid of the holly bushes, so much, but they will have to wait for now. Those holly bushes have been there since 1964! The grass has filled in some since I have taken that picture, but it is still a work in progress.. a slow progress.

I definitely appreciate all of the suggestions!

https://www.thespruce.com/eighteen-species-holly-trees-and-shrubs-3269647
Which species of holly? Most are meant to be far taller that your bushes. The continual ‘topping’ has not made them as attractive as they could be. At this point in their life course, a hard renewal pruning is likely in order but you may be too late in the season in Zone 8. A hard renewal would take them down to 6” or so above the base. Their well-established roots will keep going and start you off on what looks like a new plant. In the end, they are in the wrong place in your landscape and they’ll never look their best. Look for shade loving perennials in the meantime.

Sorry, forget what I said. I didn't know about your sad dog situation. Landscaping can wait.

They are all American holly bushes except the last one on the far left.. that one doesn't have spikey leaves like the others. I did read that a hard pruning should be done in winter, but could be done at anytime.. I've honestly read several different things, so not sure what to go with.

IF we cut them all the way down, would one of those products that prevents regrowth work? I saw something that came with a brush that you paint over the trunk where it is cut to prevent growth. I've never used a product like that. But, if we cut them all the way down, used the product to prevent regrowth and just hid the stumps of the trunks with new shrubbery, would that be awful? Just a thought.

It is okay, @housegal200. I should have mentioned it in my original post. My plate is kinda full right now, but I'm trying to do some updates to the yard.. gardening brings me peace when I'm stressed out.

I was sick of a misshapen 20-year old laurel near our porch and, in a fit of pique, sawed it off at the base about this time one year. It was a very satisfying endeavor. Sure enough, the roots got right back to work and a lovely better-sized version appeared reaching reasonable size by fall. You never know. I’m not sure how the regrowth product works — you’ll still have the roots in the way of any new plantings.

... and just hid the stumps of the trunks with new shrubbery, would that be awful?

No, not awful. Our house had traditional (overgrown) yews as foundation plants. They were cut to the ground before we moved in, but the stumps were still solid when we went to replant the foundation. We adjusted the plantings to avoid the stumps. No adverse impact to our plantings, and those stumps are still there, completely hidden, today. Your hollies might behave differently than our yews and it's always good to get the stump & roots out if you can -- but don't despair if you can't.

Best wishes for your senior pups.

Here are some ideas you can consider when you are ready:

IMO you have great MCM style house why not do some MCM landscaping too I use this for inspiration often and the bonus is you ten use the elemnnets in the design to work with your climate and situation. not to mention ease of care.

If you get summer rain in your area of Zone 8a, you could place three $30 color bowls of shade annuals at the base of the hollies leading from the carport to the entrance stairs. If you don't get rain, you'd have to water the color bowls every day which may not be compatible with dog care.

An easy pruning approach is to prune one holly plant at a time, over the course of a summer. If you have loppers and hand saw, this will take a few hours for each bush. If you have a battery powered saw, it will be a lot quicker, but the noise may bother your dogs. Have a plan for disposing of the branches before you start. Those look like more than one trash can each.

If the whole thing is overwhelming right now, you might like picking out a cheerful new door mat at the entrance you use most or a new wreath at the garden center. Garden flags are also fun. They don't require time for upkeep like new plants do.

Thank you so much for the suggestions! We might try to cut down the hollies. I've hated them since we bought the house since it is just like a wall of green blocking the house, but we're still learning all of this gardening/home ownership stuff. I greatly appreciate the drawing you did @Dig Doug's Designs!! It helps me to be able to see what it could look like.. it was hard to imagine since all I've saw is these big ol' bushes. I showed my husband and he really liked what you put together and I think it kind of encouraged him to work more on it. Our dogs are having a good day, so I feel comfortable getting out a little and visiting a garden center.. I'm going to ask them their thoughts on removing/chopping down the hollies.

We definitely get summer rain.. storms.. humidity.. all that lovely stuff. I do have a hose set up in that area, so watering isn't going to be an issue. We do have a few good tools that we got last year that can handle these bushes with no problem.

I have a lot to think about. Thank you so much, I really appreciate all of the help!!

Since you're newbie gardeners and homeowners and looking after your dogs, here are a couple things you can do right now until next year:

--Just cut down the hollies on the left, which block your windows and nice MCM windows. Deal with the hollies and plans next year.

--Fill out the monkey grass under the trees so it's an actual bed.

Enjoy your time with your senior dogs instead of rushing with more intensive gardening.

@gardengal48: I should've made clear that some small garden centers will suggest what shrubs and perennials work with light, water, and soil conditions in a particular zone. A professional garden designer is a whole other level of planning. But a new gardener can take a look at inspiration photos in their neighborhoods, take pictures, then go to a garden center. I was very luck with our first house when I was a newbie that a small gardening center helped me choose what plants would work in front of our house. Some garden centers keep a notebook of landscapers and designers who work with them.