Put a bench under the window so that it points the way to the actual entry. IMO all the shutters should be removed they are the wrong size and really do not work I think a couple of big planters set in the stone would be nice and maybe even one on the right side of the porch, then some nice plantings along the driveway to soften all that concrete

Nobody is going to be able to recommend specific plantings unless you give us a general idea where you live. Australia? Alaska? Arkansas? Arizona? Argentina?

If you are in North America, look up your zone on the USDA planting zone map.

Cute little house. Congratulations!

The bench under the window or to the right of it is a good idea

congratulations

Many people put wreaths on the windows. I wouldn't do it year round, but a holiday wreath on the window would be pretty.

I love a bench on the front porch. It just says, "come and be comfortable."

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I agree with removing your shutters. When budget allows widen the window trims so they can stand up to the beefiness of the one around the big arched 2-story window. In addition, I would replace the single skinny column with a nice beefy square one. Do remove the rock in favor of cypress mulch which has lots of benefits and was highly advised by my landscape architecture prof (I'm not a pro; it was a class for amateurs.) It took me 2 years to remove the rock from a bed a bit larger than yours. Once the shutters are gone, dress the wall right of your porch window with a big thriller, spiller, filler planting in a great pot. Be sure to pressure wash the walkways. Also consider increasing the size of your lantern lights. Eventually, plant a nice ornamental tree between the front door and the street. For specific plants in your beds you might post at the garden web portion of Houzz. I do advise you keep specimens at dwarf size so they don't quickly overwhelm your landscape and block the window or overhang the walks. If good in your area, azaleas and hydrangeas are always winners, IMO.

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With the way the door appears to open, I'm not sure there's room for much of a bench under the windows. If you have to be too skimpy in order for it to fit, I wouldn't do it. In areas where decorative shutters are the norm, I have no problem with ones that don't "fit." I suggest painting the garage door the same color as the body of the house and adding a bit of black hardware to the garage door. A larger porch light and a large planter on the right end of the porch would be nice.

Well, it will be easier for shrubs to grow healthy when surrounded by mulch instead of rocks, since rocks reflect heat back up onto the plant. Not impossible for the plant to overcome, but still better without. As for shrubs, just make sure to take the mature shrub size into account when selecting a shrub, and then plant it with plenty of room to grow into its mature size. That will save you from having to rip it out in three years or fuss with a lot of pruning. One of the most common mistakes first time home landscapers make is finding a cute plant at the nursery and not realizing it is just a baby and might grow into something huge. A good nursery can direct you to plants that have the characteristics you want when mature. Not as likely at a big box store. You can find some nice things there but also a lot of junk. Buyer beware.

Congratulations on your new house (and I would not call it a "cute little house"!) Agree that painting your garage door the same color as the house is a good idea. Instead of a bench, consider a chair on the right side of the porch sort of facing the door. It will create the same effect.

Wow! Thank you all for the feedback. It sounds like the consensus is remove shutters, paint garage door same color as house with hardware, get bench or chair on porch along larger porch lantern and planter. Appreciate it!

Love the black hardware suggestion for the garage door. At some point you might think about getting a garage door with windows across the top that mimic your other windows.

I'll stand in disagreement with removing the shutters, in spite of it being a popular thing to do on Houzz forums. I think the house will look vastly more plain Jane without them.

The second picture shows the door to be fine looking. I wouldn't worry about it as what really matters to the new arrival is being directed to the ENTRANCE of the house, which happens to be your covered porch opening, which is nicely framed by corner posts, roof and floor. But it needs improving. Greatly widen the access paving strip that connects to the porch slab such that it is obvious where to go and looks inviting for more than one person at a time. Eliminate any raised landscape "edging" that flanks the walk as it is neither necessary or attractive. Expand the foundation planting at the side of the house such that it surrounds the entrance .... but NOT the front walk. There should be some planting along the side of the house that makes it look like one should not go beyond the porch slab. Also, there should be planting in the back yard that screens houses beyond the back lot line. From the street, you should not be looking into the back yards of those distant houses. Flank the porch opening with seasonal color and likewise for the arch window. Not shown, but there should be some plantings -- small trees possibly -- that put some separation between your house and the houses at each side. Also not shown, I agree with a small bench at the front porch. Plantings at the side of the porch could act as backdrop for it so the end of the bench would face the street. If the bench faces the street there is really only room for a chair or stool. If not a bench, then a bucket of flowers or something at the house wall corner.

I also have a contrary point of view. I would not put anything else on your porch. It is a small area.

I think your house would look lovely with either of these two types of winding paver walkways and small rounded planting areas

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