Is that brick painted or not? I think a walkway wider than what is there iwould be the first step.Much larger planting beds in front of that new walkway .What style are you wanting to have for the house ? Where do guests park ? I like a walkway from the street so maybe a pic from further back showing the whole front yard could be helpful> Post any answers or pics here in a comment DO NOT start another post

No, the brick is not painted. I’d love to redo the walkway, however it is not in the budget. There is “extra” parking (driveway widens near garage - not sure if the correct term).

Pretty home and the cleared bed looks neat and clean. I like it that way.

I agree that a much wider sidewalk would be a big improvement but if you can’t do it right now, you can’t.

If you feel you must plant something in the cleared bed, how about a low groundcover? Exactly how wide is it, measured from the house to the sidewalk? It looks quite small which limits what you can plant there. You don’t want something spilling over the already narrow sidewalk. What’s the sun exposure?

You might check with a local nursery for something to grow on a trellis for the garage side wall.

Faces east, little sun. There currently is pachysandra ground covering as you get closer to front door.
Brick wall doesn’t look too plain? Was thinking maybe a black metal trellis to go with the porch sitting area.

I disagree your house has no curb appeal. I'd definitely take an interest if it were for sale.

It's a beautiful brick canvas you've got there and deserves something special. I would first consult with a nursery to see what might be just an exquisite subtle groundcover. I'd also go for a very deliberate but maybe sparse arrangement using a tall beautiful flower that doesn't need full sun. I would not do a trellis dead center.

It looks nice as is so I'd be choosey

Thank you!

Something like the trellis you posted but wider and in your color/material of choice. Depending on what you plant much of the trellis could be hidden.

Skip the trellis unless you know *exactly* what you are putting on it, and where it comes from. Mannerly climbers for zone 6a and shade aren't exactly common (I can't think of any off the top of my head), and an obvious trellis without a plant looks like a fail.

For now, I'd just put more pachysandra there. There are instructions all over the place on how to propagate your own. If you still think it needs something in front of the brick, take your time. I expect you will want something structural, and it has to be something that won't lean towards the sun, and will stay fairly narrow.

It's an attractive house. I suggest cleaning off the brick along the walkway (use a spray nozzle on your hose if the brick isn't compatible with pressure washing). Then give a quick topcoat of the your trim paint to the window trim to make it look fresh again. If the black lamp post needs a touch up with glossy black paint, this would be a good time. What's important is your own impression as you drive up and then walk in along the walkway.

Add a vast amount of compost and some fertilizer to the bed where the old shrubs have exhausted the soil. Pachysandra would be a good choice (as suggested above), maybe some transplants from what you have already. An array of 7 or 9 good size pumpkins interspersed with the pachysandra transplants would see you well into fall.

I would resist cottagey structures because the house is not that. And I'd be careful about anything that ends up staining that wonderful brick.

My passionate-gardener late FIL had such an argument with alliums I never plant them as a gesture of respect to his cantankerous memory, but something along the lines of geometrically placed alliums inside the whole bed that's in front of the blank space would interest me otherwise...

... and then I would do something else (and fragrant) in front of the porch

Here are a few suggestions:

Now we’re talking! Thank you! ☺️

Doug’s idea for the large planting bed under the tree is good. You have plenty of room there for some attractive plantings.

(I’d pass on the espladiered whatever he drew on the garage wall, though.)

I love espaliers but the best are with fruit trees that tend to need a lot of sun and even without fruit, you are risking your brick.

If you are in a mosquito and wildlife roaming area you might want to pass on a birdbath.

Yes, we have a creek in our back & lots of deer and wildlife - thus, lots of deer resistant plants!

Your house has a clean modern aesthetic and plenty of curb appeal. I would not attach structures or add sculptures.

I'd keep the landscaping contemporary and modern looking to compliment the house. You need some low growing shade loving shrubs along the bed in front of the driveway, maybe a skip or cherry laurel short variety. I'd plant a shade loving loriope in the area under the tree.