Pic 2

Another option with chairs.

Front Door - I'm going to paint the little bench a golden color.

This is the garage area on the other side of house

I like the wicker, as dining in the front yard seems a little odd, no offense. Unless you have no other patio space. A few potted shrubs and seasonal flowers like you have on the steps would be good, and a couple of small groupings on the patio to define the area..
P. Allen Smith had a DIY project on his website a while back that showed how to make a privacy screen out of two large flower pots with a home made simple trellis inserted in pieces of plastic tubing embedded in a couple of inches of concrete in the bottom of the pots. Make drainage holes while the concrete is wet, insert trellis when set, fill the pots with soil and plant. If it was spring, you could plant vines, but even a bare trellis made from pine and stained or painted, with a few pansies planted, would create a feeling of privacy between the patio and side yard. You can make it as wide at you want, depending on the sturdiness of your trellis. and take it with you if you move. Just an idea.
The area otherwise looks OK, it's neat and the potted plants and accessories make it look well maintained. Most people have their own ideas about what they want their landscaping to look like, so I wouldn't spend time or cash on anything permanent that someone will just have to remove anyway. Just make sure anything you have there is clean and in good repair.

I like the wicker, too, and I think all you need is one tall tree in a big pot at the far left corner of our patio, to soften the edge of the house.

How far are you moving? Would it make sense to buy a tree from a nursery, and then have them take it and plant it in your new yard?

Nice job on the doorway area!

Some good thoughts - thanks. Funny how when you are used to something you never think it's weird - like having a patio table in the front of house! I do have another potted tree I can put in the other corner. I don't want to over do with mums, but I'm so flower challenged I'm not sure what other plants I could put around there for variety. Any thoughts?

Does this look better? Too much red around door area? I do have a large yellow mum also. I could still add back the little bench on left side of door w/2 little mums instead of the large one.

Wicker chairs back - facing forward.

You have nice color with the mums you've already used, so I'd go for greenery in more pots. Choose plants that are loose and generous, since the mums tend to be so tight.

I'd go to your nursery and look around, and ask them for suggestions. You might like to choose things you can take with you and plant in your new yard.

(When I suggested a tree, I was thinking of something bigger than what I see in your other pots...something taller than you!)

I liked the first arrangement of the wicker best. I also liked the little bench (painted or not) beside the door. I think you've done a good job of creating a pretty, welcoming area.

When the mums lose their mojo, replace them with pumpkins in the pots, or evergreens, or (gasp!) fake flowers. lol Just keep it subtle.

Personally I'd like to see two big planted pots at the top of the stairs from the garage. Will that be where most people will be coming to the door?

Great suggestions! Thanks everyone. I think I finally found an arrangement I like. I'll post the pics below.

Only question is if I should move the potted tree back behind the chair grouping or bring up the other potted tree I have and flank it on the other side of the entrance way... or something else?

Up close seating area - added some greenery.

Up close other side

Yes, flank the door with the other tree - you have a very nice symmetry going there, which you've softened very nicely with your bench and mums.

bronwynsmom - I'm not ignoring your suggestions of a larger tree on the corner of the house - I agree about that. I also want want on the other side of the garage area. This house needs a lot of landscaping help, but am holding off on too much until I know if we are moving.

Thanks!

Very cute! That looks really nice.

Do you mind if I ask what color your front door is??

I think the biggest need for this area is some type of border to separate the yard from the patio. I'd take a look on Craigslist for someone getting rid of some bricks and build a small brick wall at the edge of the patio. That will echo the brick entryway, which looks kinda lonely in the sea of beige. It can serve as seating as well as visual separation of the leisure space. Your bricks will go further if you choose concrete block as the wall base and just veneer them with the brick. The hard part of this project would be getting the first course of the block level, but it's really not that hard with a water level, enough mortar, and a bit of math to plan it out.

I'd also look at choosing a less monochromatic color scheme. Adding some visual depth to the home's plane through varying the value of the colors a bit would be inexpensive, and be a big boost to it's character.

I agree about a border of some kind between patio and yard. Even just some window boxes planted with inexpensive flowers or greens, placed along that border.

I really like the newest setup, it looks great! The kitty cat provides an extra "homey" touch but he probably doesn't pose on demand :)

for a home sale, i don't think the exact placement of pots and trees matters a great deal... i think you've created a very welcoming entry!
but, as a potential home buyer, my eyes/concern would immediately be drawn to the cracked concrete, etc- something that adds an initial added move-in expense for them... my own personal opinion is that if you address the concrete concerns, you're good to go! new home buyers will be picturing their own stuff there- as long as you have a neat, welcoming entrance that says 'home' to some degree, you're fine!