It would help if the walk was beefed up in size to match the entrance. And if the house at left had something to screen its side. What climate are we in?

Yardvaark - I really like that suggestion. It has always bugged me that the sidewalk is off center where it meets the porch. We are in Austin, TX, so hot and humid in the summer, cool in the winter with ice and a little snow occasionally. We had more shrubs as well as two topiaries in the black pots that were are killed by extreme cold last winter (it was much colder than normal). Thanks!

a clean, simple way to lay it out ...