I'd use red brick to match the red brick on the right side of the porch. Get a lot of samples to find the correct match. I'd also use that on the right side of the driveway when it comes time to replace that retaining wall.

Bigger question now though is what is happening in the area to the left of the stairs? What are your plans for there? Moving into a new home eats a lot of budget. I'd prioritize funds and tend to this area first and if you can do the raised bed wall at the same time, great.

Explain the nature of your relationship with your weed whacker.

Unless you are in the south, with very aggressive grass, I'd just get rid of it. It doesn't look necessary because of a change of grade, and you can redo the bed size/shape to whatever makes sense.

@kendrah You and I have the same thought. Red blocks would match well with the bricks on the side as well as the roof. As for the area to the left of the stairs, our plan is to plant a variety of shrubs and flowers. We also intend to replace all the wood in that area, as well as the ones adjacent to the driveway.

@millworkman This is perfect, thank you. We like the little curve they did at the end, I think we'll incorporate that into our design.

Why is edging required?

@BeverlyFLADeziner You just blew my mind.

Sometimes you just need to see how others have solved the problem to see you have options. I try to find examples of raised ranch style homes because attractive remodels are not easy to locate.

You need to look at the big picture and address the porch and narrow steps. It looks like half the steps and the railing was removed, maybe to accommodate the shrub. Now the shrub is gone, leaving a really awkward entrance. Your home is begging for a nicer entrance to bring some interest to the basic rectangle of your house. I'd cover the exposed foundation of the garage with brick too, like in Beverly's last photo.

Pick the brains here of how you could improve the porch and entryway.

I don't like the retaing edge. I think you can remove the ill fitting shutters.

@Eileen You're right. We plan to plant a variety of shrubs and flowers left of the stairs.

You could also do a split rail fence along the driveway next to the grass and then plant perrennials like day lilies or lavender along the fence. It has a rustic, country look to it, which is charming. Sometimes hardscape can take over. Simpler is better.

A post and rail fence and perennial planting · More Info

So you removed a mature shrub that was hiding the stair issues and want to replace it with another shrub and flowers. It sounds like you want a wider bed to the left of the stairs now. I don't understand why there's a hole along the steps. Why don't you just fill that area in with soil and level it with the rest of the lawn?

IMO the planting bed is gouing to always be an issue so close to windows almost touching the ground please no shutters on double windows and as it shoes now nothing planted there that will require watering with splashing the window and the plants blocking the nice natural light .I woud do a nice wide planting area along the driveway with aw alkway from the street and those planyings on either side of that walkway.

@Eileen We just moved in. The previous owner said he worked 10 hours a day so he couldn't dedicate time towards landscaping, lawn decoration, or any form of home improvement. The only thing we did was remove the bushes and plant the shrubs.

Right, so I'm suggesting you extend the lawn/foundation bed by filling it in instead of replicating what the previous owner did. Just eliminate the tiered trench by sloping the new soil down to meet the side of the stairs. You can then curve the border of the front bed around to the stairs instead of having two separate planting beds. Your shrubs will grow better if they're not confined in the tiers.

With rebuilt stairs: