We need to know your location and how much sun that area gets.

tj

What are the shrubs? Berberis? They could probably be cut down hard and regrow bushy. Then they would need regular maintenance to stop them getting leggy again. There is not enough room for trees. You're looking at small shrubs and perennials. What is the green growth behind the purple shrubs and next to the porch?

To be honest I’m not sure what the current bushes are. This photo was from a couple years back but they def are looking a little more dead now and not nearly as colorful or full. Hoping to remove those and come up with better looking plants. Behind there is basically some old tulips/weeds from the previous owners. The house is in Chicago suburbs, east facing with full sun throughout the day. Small bushes and perennials would be ideal. Mostly looking to freshen up the house and increase curb appeal.

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I recently dug out 7 similar overgrown (6-8 ft) Barberis shrubs from my front yard. Not a task for the timid, and in spite of being well protected from the thorns, several penetrated my gloves and left nasty blisters on my hands for a week. Maybe they have a place somewhere, but not my yard! I have 4 more to remove along side yard but will settle for hard pruning this year. Love Dig Doug’s design for it’s simplicity/tranquility and ease of upkeep, and Celery’s colorful second post. Have fun making this your own!

As usual in the pictures, too many plants shown for too small a space. If you want low maintenance, something in winter, and deer are not a problem, the easiest solution would be to straighten the bed out, plant one spreading yew (at least 3 ft from the foundation) directly under the windows and fill in the area in front and near the steps with either annuals that will bloom most of the summer or some spring bulbs and a few perennials to take over when the bulbs are done.