karinl- Regarding your suggestion to "Move the focus outward"...I wonder if we are thinking the same area? The dirt? While that sewer line collapse was an annoyance and financial burden at the time, it may prove beneficial as it is forcing us to do something with that area. I think this could make a huge difference. What do you see in that area that would "enhance the way the property and plantings frames and embraces the house"? What do you think about building it up some in an effort to gain some privacy? Can you picture doing something with 3 small trees...redbuds maybe, with something under them...not sure what, yet. Patty- I, also, have driven around in search of a ranch owner who has figured out how to enhance his ranch home. So far, it doesn't exist. I imagine there would be many others interested in a discussion focused on landscaping the ranch home! There are many other "very specific" forums on this site...why not one devoted to landscaping a particular style of house? But maybe it's only us ranch owners that have this problem...Some houses do seem to lend themselves more easily to a great looking yard. stevied- I read your second post this morning. Your thoughts must have stayed with me while driving to work. I noticed a house that had just what you are describing...it looked GREAT! Nice idea...thanks. annebert- Do you think that "meatball" would survive if moved? Have had differing opinions on that. Regardless, it's gotta go. Like your idea of a "sheltered walk"...this yard needs some shelter! I need some shelter...feel like I have to change my clothes with the lights off for privacy...our bedroom and bathroom are on the front of the house. lynne_melb- Yes, the house is brick and we have talked about painting that siding. What color can you see with the stark white paint, though? What do you think about a light grayish sage green? I have no problem decorating the inside...some brave colors others might shy away from, but something about the outside scares me! Maybe because I haven't had an oportunity to choose exterior colors before...certainly didn't choose this white! My last house was all brick too, but not painted. Any opinions on color choices welcome!!! Here's some more pic's of the bushes on right side of house. Recognize any of them? This is the so called "meatball" on the end :) To the left of the meatball, are three of these Same...closer up All the way to the left...(on the right side) Same... Thanks to all...you have no idea how much I appreciate you taking the time to offer your thougts!

check out outdoor carpeting at some place like Home Depot or a local carpet place--I have heard it isn't terribly expensive. Of course, it's spending money, and you'd said you didn't want to spend money to paint it. have you talked to the management about it? have you told them that because the floor is so badly finished, you don't like to use it and therefore are not getting the full value you are paying for? of course, it will still be metal. The indoor-outdoor carpeting might make it seem much less industrial. A dark green, maybe? or a blue? Or a sisal-looking one in a tan? I see it for $7.50, $8.49 to $11/square yard at one online source (you have 12 square yards, so: $90 minimum; add delivery & hemming); I wonder what it would cost elsewhere? I wonder if you should have the edges hemmed? supposedly you have to glue or tape it down, but I don't see why you couldn't simply lay it there. (or, use double-sided carpet tape if it seems like it would shift or blow away; the tape might pull up paint when you remove it, but it sounds like the paint is peeling away anyway)

Another vote for window film. Let’s in light but not the peeping eyes

Vegetable gardens are not something I'd recommend for a front yard, street side planting. They seldom have much aesthetic appeal, often look quite messy and typically require protection from insect pests and animal marauders. And they often do not exist at all for 4-6 months of the year, perhaps longer. Curb appeal factor is a negative, not a plus :-) The simplest approach is to use a groundcover, preferably evergreen, for the sloped portion and remove the grass and replace with gravel or crushed rock at the street to accommodate parking. Or some combination of low growing shrubby material and some flowering perennials. Make sure the pathway from street to entry is generously sized - at least 4-5' wide.