I assume you think it looks empty because you know what it looked like before. Since I never saw the Before, it looks perfectly fine to me.

I guess you could move those pots into the bare spots (as long as they are straight and level - a pet peeve of mine) and fill them with exuberant blooming things.

We can’t make specific plant suggestions because we don’t know if you live in California or Idaho or Georgia or New Hampshire or etc etc

Yes that it probably true! And now the garden is empty before the bushes. Looks like blank space in there. I live in Chicago, Zone 5b and this is full sun.

^Nice!

I agree about planting the ”exclamation points” at both sides of front door. Choose an evergreen slow growing very narrow plant. Don’t let it get higher than mailbox on right. I’d add a summer blooming bush in where the strawberry pot is & fill the white pots at entry & bigger gray pots with cheery bright annuals. I agree too about painting garage door same as house. That will focus attention on the front entry area.

Piggybacking on lisedv’s photo, I’d remove the circled shrub. It’s not handsome and it blocks the view of your attractive front door.

I so agree - I hate that bush!!

Love all of your ideas - but we just put that garage door in - not sure I'm ready to paint yet :) but maybe next year.

I see a great-looking house with some nice landscaping. The space on either side of your door is small, which is why your trees outgrew it. I'd probably go with some ornamental grass. The are a ton native to you. I'm fond of little Bluestem.

Sky Pencil hollies on either side of the door. Tall-ish, not wide.

Sky Pencil - great suggestion! Also very easy to maintain max height needed.

Create a rock garden in the planting bed that has the strawberry pot.. You have enough rock edging around the lawn so don't necessarily need edging all the way around the rock garden.

Rearrange the rock and boulders, add pebbles, and use up all the boulders to the left of the front door to leave that area free of rock.

Creeping Thyme and Creeping Rosemary are two plants that come to mind.

I don't have software but you can glean ideas from these inspo pics.

More substantial seating

I just noticed the Adirondacks so get four matching chair pads for those and the cafe chairs.

The OP lives in the Chicago area (zone 5b). Planting something evergreen to remain in a container year round presents limited options. Even non-evergreen, deciduous trees and shrubs can be limited, as containerized plantings are much more vulnerable to cold than are inground plantings. It is recommended to select plants that are at least 2 zones hardier than one's location, which will eliminate choices like creeping rosemary or Sky Pencil holly. Dwarf Alberta spruce will work.

These will be in-ground not in pots. I have ground ready on either side of the door stoop.

Dwarf Alberta spruce will work. Most things that shape will fall over/splay/generally have issues at the first snowfall. They can be tied up, but that's not optimal.

Neighbors have been there, done that.