Thoughtful landscape design is the key to creating an outdoor oasis, whether you have a tiny courtyard in an urban area or a sprawling estate in the country. To help you transform your own patios, yards, gardens, and more, Down To Earth Lawn rounded up exterior landscaping ideas and examples that truly make the most of their natural surroundings. So without further ado, allow these exterior beauties to pave the way to better landscape design.

I’d say no to the brick. Adding another material isn’t needed, you’ve already got painted wood, natural wood, gravel, pavers, concrete, etc.

In that tiny area, just a single groundcover. You need solid green to offset all that hardscape.

Board and batten siding might work although the horizontal siding isn't bad. I would shy away from darker colors and would not even consider black. I would replace the light standard with something less industrial looking. If you can increase the size of your planting bed at the front of your house that might make it more inviting. I would use landscaping to conceal the fact that your bay doesn't go all the way to the ground. I would also recommend doing something to make your entry more inviting. Was going to suggest adding a porch roof but that might not work well and it would make the interior at the entry darker. Perhaps a pergola instead. A redwood or cedar pergola might contrast well with the body of the house. You might even be able to incorporate a gable into the pergola that would signify that this is the entryway even more. It's a nice looking house btw. Good luck!