What is the huge tank on the left?

Propane tank

The tank caught (and held) my eye. First build a screen around the tank then think about other improvements.

1. deal with propane tank
2. deal with air conditioner
3. deal with all the junk
4. deal with the Christmas lights

Right now, this looks like the back of the house, where the utilities and other unsightly things are hidden. So simply treating is like the front of the house is going to be a major improvement.

I would have the propane tank buried. Ours is buried.

I'd think twice about removing the stone walls. Those are currently retaining a lot of your yard and providing a stable area for your propane tank. Think twice about planting around it too- propane folks usually like their rentals to be clear of plantings, and the buried propane line clear as well. A deck to the right on the higher ground would be nice, maybe do a pergola with it. If the AC bothers you, there are decorative shields meant to go around them and ensure spacing requirements are met.

How much snow do you get, where does it get cleared to?

The backyard must be small since the air conditioner could not even go back there. Can you move the propane tank so that it does not center stage in your front.

Do you have a pic of what you'd like the front to look like?

This is the front of the house/water side.

Do,you own the propane tank? If so bury it. Ours is buried but we own it. I believe if you rent the tank you can not bury it at least by us you can’t.

Get the weeds off the stone wall, clean it and replace the missing stones.

Either remove the grass in front of the wall and just add driveway gravel like you already have or make it a bigger planting bed and add plantings.

Get some type of shield to go around AC.

Add railing to stairs.

Paint the foundation to match the gray siding.

Relocate the garbage can and clean up the junk lying around.

Get a decorative container for the hose.

Landscape.

What is going on with that chimney?

Have a good weeding session and remove all the over grown grass. Replace, repair the wall - especially the cap stones and give the whole thing a power wash, including the stairs. As there are items around, it might be time to purchase a bin shed that will also give you a place to store things as well as the bin. A screen for the tank and air con that goes with your house color scheme. Then you will have a space to look at and think about if you want to do more landscaping with plantings or maybe invest in a couple of colourful planters to sit either side of your door and pot in some color each spring…

Eg

I love your front yard Jen, that waterside is well groomed. It must be wonderful to lounge out there when it's nice out.

A small storage shed on your entrance side would be nice. Do you have space for that?

Paint the front door and place two large planter pots on each side of it.

Paint the foundation.

More plants along the rock wall. Trellis panel for the tank.

Have you had a chance to review my ideas and my rendering? Any comments?