There are many plants with water requirements less than grass capable of functioning as lawn substitutes. The main drawback of any is the potential for disease if the plant is not entirely happy. It would be good for you to get local advice about the plants that are trouble-free where you are. If the geometry and scale of your project works out such that it can be comprised of several species, then you can avoid putting all your eggs in one basket. (But, of course, the more species you add, the "busier" the appearance.) Since you are looking for a list of contenders, you might search "drought tolerant groundcovers" to explore the range and possibilities. Creeping phlox and some of the Sedums are two species of plants that come to mind. But there are many others. The list of possibilities to meet all of your needs is potentially extensive and highly dependent on your taste and the details of your project. Consider also if a plant can tolerate some foot traffic. If you narrow a list down, it will be easier to give feedback on it than it would be to generate a list in spite of so many unknowns. Many of the ordinary landscape plants became popular because of their toughness so don't overlook a plant just because it's common. Look around where you live and see what groundcovers are successful. Keep in mind that success in implementing a plan for groundcover will be dependent on your ability to keep it weed free. This will take dedication, especially in the beginning.

If it were me and I was going to redo the front walk I would just do poured concrete in an oval shape to mirror the bed around the trees in front of the house. That's the least maintenance. Yes, remove the yews, they should not be trimmed in an unnatural box shape for a home as natural looking as yours. Don't know what the tree is next to the yew shrubs, maybe blue atlas cedar or blue spruce? Either way, it is going to get big so you may want to move it now while you still can. It's a "specimen tree" meant to be viewed from afar, so I'd put it in the back yard, "afar" from the house where I could take it in while sitting on the back patio or looking out the back window. You could take out the front set of birches with two trunks, that is the one that blocks the view the most. I wouldn't do that, but I am a tree hugger. Where the yews and that blue green tree are, I would put some flowering trees or shrubs that would remain small, and maybe something that smells nice to greet me as I walked up to the front door. You don't say your zone, but it appears to be a 4 season area so I'd put in some rugosa roses (but that's just me) maybe mixed with hydrangeas. That's what I have in my front entrance way. Roses can get buggy, so if you want something even less maintenance, shrubby cinquefoil and low growing spirea are just about as easy peasy as it gets. "Knock out" roses don't smell as great as a rugosa but are more foolproof, depending on your zone. BTW, there are small evergreens you could put next to your house. There are some small junipers that would fit the bill, or a bird's nest blue spruce (which I don't particularly care for but some folks love). But like I said, not sure what that is by the yew hedge, it may be a dwarf for all I know but it doesn't look like it from my casual glance.

Appreciate all this feedback as our house has been a work in progress for last 15yrs. Was an ugly orange one-tone brick that we painted when purchased and repainted about 3yrs ago off-white with same color trim. There were sage green shutters on all the windows that were rotted and removed. We couldn’t afford to replace at the time. Should we add them back in updated style? We put a new roof on last year and went with brown tones. I like the idea of a darker trim color and maybe even a dark gutters. We’ve struggled with the lawn due to heavy shade and drainage issues. Our House sits below street level on the right side. Two years ago we removed one lg oak that was also on the right-side and limbed up all the other tree. We are considering sodding the entire front yard and tearing out the front walkway to the street we don’t really use it-we live on a really busy street. We moved our mailbox to the side street years ago and added a friends entrance w/porch with a walkway from the street. If we tear out the walkway from street straight to the front door we would replace it with a walkway from the friends entry porch around The house to the front door In front of a landscaped bed along the front foundation. I would say that I’m looking for an overall cottage-look. Im a very visual person so your drawings and pics are VERY helpful!

First widen the walkway it is way too narrow and maybe a picture from uch further back so we can see the whole yard and house.