Landscaping front yard suggestions please! Sfr

[Nick S.]

Above picture is the after

Above picture is the before


I bought a small sfr pictured above in which I prioritized rehabbing the inside first so it’s livable, which took a couple months but now complete. I recently removed 2 large unsightly and dangerous trees including the roots from the front yard and also removed 2 extremely large overgrown shrubs that covered each side of the house where you see the patch of browns near the windows in the after picture.
The front yard imo now looks terrible and now kind of regret removing those shrubs because it also served as a privacy wall, which I like.

I thought about a fence, but now against the idea based on cost, surrounding area, and comparable. I would greatly appreciate any landscaping advice to the front because I really don’t like how barren and very low quality it looks. Any specific names of plants/bushes would be very helpful to research. 

Thanks and please ask any questions I can clarify for you

EDIT: the exterior has not yet been touched so the window siding roof all need work with a powerwash

[Scott Mac]

If it were mine (I might) go with this (if the neighborhood was nice).

Some black mulch and some colorful flowers, a USA flag, and a bigger Black Rubber Heavy duty door mat.

As well as ditch that tiny path of a sidewalk...

I think I might get a "Better" Renter...