Evidently, no one has ever planted a shrub or a tree in a place that another person thought it was too close, too large, or would require regular pruning.

This is when landscape stuff gets interesting...there's a challenge. Solve the problem. or throw your hands up in surrender.

I too agree that ultimately, in order to fully maximize the landscape for a house like this appears to be, you're going to want to play with bed configurations on the outside of the walk...but that's not the question you asked, is it?

Beside the smaller gable, I see something vertical on either side of the window. This could be accomplished by a structure, such as lattice or a pergola, and allowing something to climb...roses, or honeysuckle, or go to a nursery and find something else. Or it could be found by using fastigate plants...Sun Sprite Magnolia, for instance, fine line buckthorn, arbs or juniper. Something a bit larger on the corner by the garage, I'm always partial to either Acer griseum or stewartia pseudocamelia. Something paired on either side of the front door.

Narrow beds, lots of brick...something is going to be wanted here that is not a groundcover...you'll want the groundcover too, but that's always wanted. Viburnum or yew, and yes, perhaps some regular trimming, as much as I am a believer as choosing plants for the space rather than making them fit.

ivy growing up the wall? Always a classic choice, and always one that masons don't exactly appreciate.

What I see when I look at the pictures is a house that has a front door because we are used to thinking of houses in this way, but not a door that is going to see a lot of regular use. So you're planting this for curb appeal. you don't really have any issues to solve or desires to reach, you just want this to look right from the street. So you are probably going to be looking at a couple of trees and a range of shrubs. How much of each is always up to you. I live in a forest. My mother-in-law insists I should cut every tree down within 150'. I think her house looks barren. Right? Wrong? Perception?

Any time you can plant something that will grow to the size you want it, things are easier to take care of. narrow bed, narrow plants. or you prune them to fit. or go with plants that are undersized for the scale.

My suggestion would be to drive around. Find places that have houses with a similar layout to yours, and see what kind of landscaping they have. You'll find some that are austere, some that are landscaped to the nines, and all ranges in between. Find what you like, and go from there. If you're like most people I know, you're going to want this to be cheap...but cheap is relative. If you allow yourself to spend 10% of the value of the house on the landscape, it's money that will be returned in increased value.

I'd also suggest you take a little time...it's going to take time to figure out what you truly want, or you're going to have to hire someone to draw up a plan. And what you truly want may not be apparent right away.

any plans for lighting?