To my eye the trouble is not the choice of plants but their pruning and numbers. I'd prune the leggy Barberries to the base so they'll bush out and then keep them properly maintained. This doesn't mean just clipping over the tops but rather doing replacement pruning. However, this doesn't address the choice of Barberry in the first place. Their invasive tendencies count against them. As for the hostas there just aren't enough of them, hence the bobby appearance. You need larger groups evenly spread across the bed.

As I said, I have already started taking some plants out which is why it looks bare. I will add more barberry and hostas if I choose to keep them, but also looking for new ideas. Primarily looking for ideas to replace dappled willow in back row.

Please tell us your approximate location (nearest big city and state) for useful plant suggestions. Thanks! Would you prefer all shrubs or shrubs in the back and flowering perennials in the front? The hostas look nice which suggests deer aren't a problem. I'd like your shrubs to be evergreen for winter interest.

I’m near the Jersey shore (zone 7)! I would prefer a mixture of shrubs and flowering perennials. I like softer looking shrubs. I do have deer in the neighborhood, but so far I haven’t had a problem with the hostas. :)

The most beautiful hydrangeas I've ever seen were along the Jersey shore so I think you MUST include hydrangeas LOL. Seriously, my SIL's neighborhood in South Orange looks as good in winter as it does in summer because the number of evergreens y'all can grow is incredible. Since your space is limited, you need to pick a favorite to create a cohesive landscape. I'm an azalea lover because they're tough, tolerate varying levels of sun and shade and can be pruned back to keep them below the windows. So my suggestion is pink or red reblooming azaleas (choose one color, don't mix colors) with hostas in front. Please kill the barberries as a public service.

I’ve been debating hydrangeas so I’ll keep that on my list lol I also originally planted what was supposed to be evergreen azaleas, but they were not and honestly didn’t grow at all so I took them out. Here is a better picture when we took everything out a couple years ago. I have some eyesores to cover.

And the far left window is set back so was thinking I should break it up and put something a little different there. Thanks for your input!!

Some inspiration

or

Beautiful. Any chance you can show me something with just greenery in the back row?