I feel like this area has to be spectacular

How does your son feel? Maybe he could ask his own questions instead of everyone going through an intermediary.

Have your son contact a local landscape architect that will take into consideration the house, entire site, neighborhood, and your son to come up with a proper design.

If the stone is not planned to go all the way around the house, suggest to your son that he eliminates it totally.

It can be lovely! A pretty walkway, maybe it even meanders a little bit, perhaps an ornamental tree, groundcover, maybe stepping stones to the electrical outlet and hopefully a hose bib.

I am someone who just loves courtyards. I do. I think my own house should have one, and I wish I could afford to do it! I would enjoy how it keeps solicitors further from the front door, that you have a great place for mounting security cameras, that pets (or even small kids) whoever escaped the front door have a bit better of a chance of staying inside the area, and that Amazon packages are more hidden from the driveway/street and less of a temptation for theft.

The home is traditional but with that pretty white trim, I would think you'd want to pick up the simplicity of the design and the white of the trim perhaps for a "white garden gate" effect at the entrance, and maybe an overhead arbor. (But maybe you don't want a gate, but just an effect of a courtyard?

I do agree that a professional landscape designer could help you with the elements and a ballpark budget, without breaking the bank. I'm in HCOLA SoCal and I know one who charges by the hour, so a few hours might help you out tremendously.

If you have an architect, perhaps that person can make a recommendation for you.

I enjoy a feeling of privacy (that's me), so I would want a wall with a gate that's solid in appearance. However, your son may have no need for such privacy in the location of the front area, and just wants something nice looking. Perhaps sunlight is an issue, and you wouldn't want to block all the sun with a tall wall/gate. So it would depend on his preferences and the site. So much also depends on his budget, right?

Here are some inspiration photos:

Slate courtyard with taupe house:

Southamptonn · More Info

Pergola and red stone/brick patio:

Clean, budget friendly, taupe tinted cement and red brick trim"

Is this in the suburbs? Will he enter his home through the front door, or will he drive into the garage and never use the front door? Will people be walking past his house? Will he ever sit out there? What other outdoor spaces does he have around his home and what are they used for?

This could be an awesome entry area, or it become an over designed space that is never used and a waste of money. At the very least it could use some nice hardscaping and a large planter.

May be some pergola?

A shady porch, a bench so he can sit outside with visitors, some greenery and color, and a pathway. It’s an opportunity to show his personal style.

"It’s an opportunity to show his personal style."

I agree 100%! Maybe someone should get him involved in this project.

Here are a few suggestions:

Thank you all! My son and his wife are very involved! They are super busy so I was taking this on. They are super appreciative of all the comments!!