Oh my god what a ! I think the plants just need time to mature -- I think bigger, established plants will feel better. I also love the idea of adding an undulating flower bed along the (lawn side) walkway, as well as making the bed underneath the window deeper. Those will go a long way to adding the "WOW" you want. I happen to be a fan of beds all around (inc. facing the sidewalk), but that's not for everyone. I find an abundance of plants really welcoming and friendly-looking. I don't know where you are, but a small tree (red leaf Japanese maple is what first pops to mind, but I happen to have a thing for them) could also do a lot. I'm not thinking of a large tree because it appears you have large trees on the hell strip. I think the small tree could go near the left corner of the house (to hide the junction boxes), and / or where that big rock is on the lawn. (well, maybe a bit to the left of it, closer to the corner of your property line) I like the dark brown trim paint color, but maybe when it's time to repaint you might consider a dark sage green or a mid-forest green. Your house is wonderful -- congratulations!

Put a groundcover under that tree, not hardscape. Pachysandra is the classic choice, there's a native one. Vinca will take over. Epimediums bloom in the spring and do well in dry shade. Asarum is a shady groundcover that might work. Asarum Canadensis is native to NE US (and possibly other parts, too, but I know more about what's native to the NE.). Hostas are also classic under trees. Mine do well (too well) everywhere. They are indestructible. Solomon Seal is another shady spreader. It's more likely to be native. It's possible that your lawn was seeded with grass seed that does better in sun and shady seed will work better. My experience is that you can dig up and move shrubs (and lots of other plants) and most will do fine. If you like the red shrubs, but want them elsewhere, move them. I dug up a Winterberry last year and butchered its wildly spreading roots. It looks like it's going to take. From the angle of the picture, the red shrubs are blocking the entrance. It's not clear to me that they would be a problem from a different angle. If you like them, keep them.

I think some kind of trellis or screening structure near the HVAC equipment or at the front edge of the roof as others suggested, could obscure the view. This is required in my area for commercial buildings with rooftop equipment. . In the "improve curb appeal" area, I think a lot can be done with your front yard. The side photo showing a glimpse of the neighbor's iron fence shows a walkway, a green shrub, and some grass. Your front yard could use some attractive landscaping. Or, if time or money is limited, put in some hard scaping - cover the dead lawn with a rock or gravel pattern and have an interesting center piece or two in the middle. Just something to make it look not-abandoned. Also, I think what looks like a chain-link gate to the left of the garage could be spruced up. Compare how it looks to the neighbor's redwood (?) or redwood colored wood fence on the other side of the yard. The wood fence looks attractive, the chain link gate looks scruffy. Good luck.

The biggest issue is the brick on left side without a window. Can you install a window? If not, I would put an ornamental tree out about 7 feet from the side of the house centered on the brick expanse. Then plant some flowering and evergreen bushes along the foundation behind the tree. Make sure to plant them so they have room to grow and still leave about a foot clearance to the side of the house. Looks like it slopes off on the right side of the house, so build a curved retaining wall for that corner and plant a tall specimen. Oak leaf or P. G. hydrangea would look good. Plant ground hugging evergreens under the window, so it doesn't get hidden. I would plant a boarder of small evergreens by the gravel and frame the brick path with perennials, flowering bushes and annuals. Remove the shutters from the double windows. They are not right for them. Paint the front door a light color so it can be seen.