One other thing, as far as plantings go, eventually you need to identify what the trees and shrubs are on your property. That's key to deciding what to plant around them, and how to care for them to keep them looking their best. For example, if one of your trees has a wide, shallow root system, that is going to determine what can grow under it and how to plant it. Some plants express toxins from their roots or leaves that inhibit the growth of other plants around them, etc. You may never get lush growth, depending on what the trees are. Something to think about as you progress. I wouldn't repaint the house, save the money for more significant improvements, and I'm wondering if you have vinyl siding which would make that problematic anyway. Landscaping is artfully solving problems, which to me looks like you need a stoop and as long as you're at it, some type of awning or extension of the roof to cover the stoop so that when folks knock on your door when it is raining they're not standing in front of where all the water is going to run down off the roof! It looks like you have a groovy walkway already no? After that, I also second the suggestion for a little picket fence to visually block off your lake side from weekend gawkers driving around the lake. Not necessary but would be nice. Doll it up with plantings if you like. I am totally jealous, I would love a little place like that. One quickie suggestion, to add color and contrast to your hosta beds out front, try astilbe, or various ferns, and various types of heuchera. The classic combos. Also European solomon's seal and lilly of the valley for spring scent. Sweet woodruff makes a good groundcover in shade, as does vinca, the old standby, or ajuga. For spring color, jacob's ladder or virginia bluebells or some type of wild geranium or phlox. Throw in some turtlehead and bottle gentian for summer and fall blooming. Keep it simple, don't plant all of these, they are just suggestions of easy to grow shade garden plants. You want to enjoy your time at the lake and if you don't love to garden you want low maintenance. I'm not sure if they'll grow well in your zone, but azaleas and rugosa roses are classic landscape shrubs. Any of the viburnums would give you beautiful white blooms and low maintenance UNLESS you have a deer issue. If so, they can be grown but need protection. But if your hostas are still alive, the deer may be under control already.

Thank you all!! Great feedback and very helpful! Will post pictures without snow. The front walk is asphalt and there is a parking spot there. The house sits on a corner lot and we assume most guests will park in driveway behind house. I had noticed the front deck rails and thought they didn’t fit. I had actually thought of taking them down-and expanding the deck around the side of the house because it is too narrow to be functional. We don’t know if a local variance will prohibit us from making it deeper. I thought if we took the railings down, the space might be more open and we could add planters etc. I agree it is more of a barrier as is. Changing out garage doors, front door and expanding side deck and patio are all on the to do list for Fall! Love the teal door and lighting suggestion! Keep the ideas coming. Thank you!

If the windows with the view are a bedroom and bathroom, does that bathroom have another exterior wall in which you might add a window so any escaping sounds and smells from the bathroom do not open onto the deck? Have you considered sliding glass doors in the bedroom and/or (if the floor plan enables it) changing around the purposes of the rooms so the bedroom by the deck becomes a more used room .... such as could a dining room become a bedroom and the bedroom become a dining room? and/or build another bedroom and bath upstairs above the bedroom and bath on the main floor so the deck side bedroom might become a bonus room/den? Adding a downstairs entry facing the "front" (photographer) could be a good idea, depending upon the layout of the home. However, if the current main entry is beneath the deck, you might consider turning the garage into a sun room or screened porch that wraps around to become the entry unless you actually need/want another opening facing "front" (photographer). Do at least first consider what that would do to the interior of the room in which you're adding the entry. Does the room lend itself to that change? What side of the house is north/south/east/west -- will that impact your decision?

i did notice the guest parking pad off the driveway. If you’re thinking of adding to decking & patio or hardscape, why not include having walkways from the guest parking around to front of house? It could be made of pavers or stone to blend into the natural setting. Connect it also to the sidewalk going to laundry mudroom door. I think this path or walkway would connect the back & entry to property with the front of the house & give direction from parking to entry(ies) At the road / driveway entry, carve out a generous planting area on left side of drive - opposite side of parking pad for balance. Plant evergreens with space for annuals if you like & include some hard scape elements like large landscape boulders or a big iron sculpture appropriate for your area. Maybe include your house address numbers if they aren’t obvious somewhere. That side of drive could also be lined with plantings to define & follow drive to house. Depends on what amount of maintenance you want. It looks shaded by the big trees so plan that into your plant choices. If it’s shady, plants with variegated leaf colors show up well. I cannot make planting suggestions as TX has planting zones 6 - 10 - a large state you know 😉! We hear you do have freezes but those occurrences aren’t ones that ypu can plan landscape around.