"... I want to incorporate something into the walk way." That's vague. What do you mean?

I'm curious. What impression do you think your house/yard gives to passersby? And is it the impression you're trying to give? (Aside from the changes you're trying to make now.)

Usually a patio is incorporated with a courtyard. Is this your intention? How will you use it?

Your house is definitely traditional. This approach is traditional with a few informal plantings mixed in.

Milly, thank you for the feedback and ideas!

Yardvaark, the intent behind this is more so to create a private area in the front to drink coffee, read a book, or to hang out with visitors. The gate or entry idea is also to discourage solicitors and unannounced guests. I don't want it to stand out too much from the neighborhood, but still nice looking to people passing by.

Dig Doug, you got the right idea!

Your current landscaping is doing nothing to improve the view. I think you should fix the basic landscape before bothering to make additions.

Shrubs that cover windows are not attractive. All of your trees seem to be in need of pruning. The entrance area is underwhelming.

Thank you emmarene, I totally agree with your assessment. I've only had the house for 4 months; lots of work to be done, not to mention what's going on in the backyard.

Prioritize and consider the seasons. Fall is a time to do certain landscaping chores, spring another. Summer would be a good time to do the proposed hardscape, and the changed landscaping may affect your wall plan. I would remove all the hedges and shapeless shrubs. With a length of chain and a trusty vehicle you can do that yourself once you've softened up the ground by rain or hose. Have an arborist determine the work to be done on the trees, some of which may need removing. You can plant bulbs this fall. The pic below looks to be a good starting place for your home. It will change the walk, and you can build the walls higher if you want.

I'd begin by removing hedges next to the house. Remove the mis managed topiary. They have been poorly sheared and some lean.

The thin trunk trees near the foundation need to be removed.

Major trees need limbed up and maybe thinned. This is the most important step, in my opinion. I am not a pro.

I'd remove the shrub near the mail box.

I would also transplant the grass like plants near the street. Not sure where you can use them.

The bed along the foundation does not seem deep enough for shrubs. Can you tell us how deep it is?

Your house has nice brick and interesting low windows. I don't think it will need an elaborate landscape. How would you feel about something less complicated?

A courtyard would have to be part of your overall new landscape design.