Would you like a front sitting area where you can chat with neighbors and watch the kids play? Do you like to putter around in the garden or would you prefer low maintenance? Would you consider adding a small ornamental tree? Your query sounds like you only want foundation shrubs but maybe we could add more interest.

I live at the end of a cul de sac so yes we hang out with the neighborhood and my daughters plays with the neighbors. My wife and I don’t really hang out in that area so we were looking for more aesthetics. What type of ornamental tree do you recommend? I’m struggling to imagine reconstructing the current set up.

Since you're at the end of a cul de sac and have great neighbors, you don't need a berm for privacy. Your lawn looks great and it's a nice space for your kids and dog to play so I wouldn't put anything in the middle of it.

I would widen the bed on the left to at least ten feet and place a crab apple tree at the corner of the house at the edge of the new, wider bed. Then I'd plant evergreen shrubs (holly, boxwood, juniper) along the foundation. In front of the evergreens I'd place shorter flowering shrubs (spireas) with some perennials (daylilies, liriope, nepeta) for extra color .

The bed on the right is bordered by the sidewalk so obviously its' width remains the same. Ensure that the shrubs planted there are evergreen and add a few of your perennials (like on the left side) in front of the shrubs.

Hope this helps.

Some other angles

Thanks Jordan!

Thank you for the extra photos Dave. You're a very lucky guy: the view from your windows is lovely with no eyesores that need screening. The foundation planting on the left needs work but you knew that. Since you're in a cold zone, you might enjoy having a spruce on the lawn to capture snow on its' branches. If so, I'd plant it on the left side mid way down the lawn.

You told us that you're in New England which isn't specific enough to suggest plant choices. Please tell us the nearest big city to receive useful recommendations.

Thank you cecily, I just installed that window and I was worried it would not come out well. I live in central Massachusetts