I would advise you not to obscure the steps with a large shrub. It isn't inviting and would feel a little oppressive as one approaches the porch. A very small tree made from a large shrub would be better, as sheltering but not smothering and blocking. Mainly, simplify and make stronger ... fewer plants that are better formed and arranged. Color is always nice as a lead-in to the entrance.

Yardvaark, that's a window not the front porch. The front entry is the invisible elephant in this post.

Maria, may I ask where you got the metal plant holders below the windows? I've always wanted window boxes, but can't really build them onto our "new" 1914 bungalow. Would probably have to go through the historical society!

"The front entry is the invisible elephant in this post." Maybe the OP would want to make it visible so there isn't confusion ...??

some ideas:

This may not be helpful ... but I think your home and yard are lovely.

May I ask, what are your goals in regard to sunshine, heat, temperature and so forth? Is this morning or afternoon sun? And how much time do you want to spend gardening in front?

What kind of tree is that, in your parkway? There seems to be a shadow.

Btw, is that a Swedish flag? (I don’t know from Swedish landscaping, but, it sounds fun to me anyway.)

What kind of mood are you after? Do you want it to look friendly or more formal?

I am not an expert on “popping”... but I think some orange or red bloom would be noticeable, to contrast with the green. One super easy thing would be to put pots of geraniums in both those window boxes. (I have a total soft spot for geraniums. They are lovely, unkillable, and they smell good.)

And the entrance, is it on the right hand side, sort of set back a bit?

I agree with the other commenters - it seems like you can either go for more symmetricality, or have a feature on one side. If you like symmetrical, you could put in another little cypress(?) to the right and topiary them. I do love a good shrubbery. And you get a lot of impact without too much complexity. If you went asymmetric, you could reconfigure the path to the front door. There’s no law that says it has to be straight.

Overall though, I don’t see anything wrong. And I think the best designs are simple.

An Austin variety rose bush would look good in front of that planter.

There is a rose called mme Alfred Carriere, a rambler, it could frame your window and the garage.

https://www.davidaustinroses.com/us/mme-alfred-carriere-english-climbing-rose

........You could plant 2 Lady of shalott or 2 Malvern Hills on each side of your window.......

https://www.davidaustinroses.com/us/lady-of-shalott-english-climbing-rose

https://www.davidaustinroses.com/us/malvern-hills-english-rambling-rose

How about a mandarin citrus tree? Maybe Satsuma or Shasta Gold.

Mandarins have a bit more hardiness than ordinary lemons.

Need2SeeGreen 10 asked all of the right questions!

"... what are your goals in regard to sunshine, heat, temperature and so forth? Is this morning or afternoon sun? And how much time do you want to spend gardening in front?

... What kind of mood are you after? Do you want it to look friendly or more formal?"

There are a million ways to redo a yard, but those questions are of the first to need an answer. Depending on where the sun is throughout the day, you will need to look at certain types of plants. If you are looking for low-maintenance vs something where you are engaged and involved with active and regular gardening you will also need to go in different directions. What style of garden are you interested in? What feels like home to you?

Hopefully those can help get you started on the right direction!

We have a long afternoon sun, we don’t have a lot of time to spend on the yard unfortunately. I do miss the Scandinavian plants and I realize it’s hard to grow here but I prefer colors or keep it simple with 2 colors but lots of it:) I want it to look inviting, the previous owner had a French style and it’s not my style at all unfortunately. I’m also thinking some sort of tree but it might be close to the house? Thank you for all the input

Here are some more pictures, this is the entrance on the right side of the house

@Yardvaark, @Dig Doug's Designs, what is the program you use to add plants to the picture?

Realtime Landscape Architect

Thank you for all the suggestions, ended up changing the color and plants

Wow! Looks great! Nice job!