Tanks all so much for these amazing ideas!! I think once I have implemented these the overall look will work - I just need to picture the final result as I do each bit separately. @south Wales - I had considered grass but the front of the house is covered by a huge oak tree canopy in the summer, the tree would probably dry everything out. It blocks most of the direct sunlight out completely. Do you think grass is still achievable? @suesykes - yours looks amazing, is that a rhododendron I can spot? @michaeldbutler - I used an iPad app called color effects @sorayasohal - thanks for your great ideas, I am very keen to use a couple of potted plants in front of the pillars. I just need to make sure they don't get stolen! @arthur road - many thanks for this excellent list, I hadn't really considered using a variety of different plants as the bed is small, but it's a great idea! @ensign - I wanted to use a taller tree each side of the pillars but the drive is on a slope and it might look a bit lopsided. I wonder if there is a way I could correct this by digging out and leveling under each pot or would this look weird? @amanda hunter - it's a great tip looking at local house styles! Mine is quite modern (1996) and is situation in a lovely village with quite a lot of older style houses with authentic wood doors etc. sadly this is a composite door and I added this as the wood door which was on the house was in a terrible state, so my options are limited to having it sprayed a suitable color. So far I think I will: 1) add flagstone path 2) lower globe buxus type pots in front of each pillar 3) paint door (still wanted red) 4) use some of the plants recommended here and go to my local garden centre. The porch also has built in flower beds flanking the steps so once flowers are in there it will look good. The darkness of the north facing house sheltered by a large oak tree is an issue for me, the house looks great but looks dark and gloomy, hence I don't want to have a door that looks too dark and dull, unless it was black. The company who will be spraying the door can do all farrow and ball colors, so I am going to check out some more heritage colors as per Laura and other suggestions. I'm going to get some blue and red samples this week!!

thank you tez, I like the porch idea, the entrance would be to the side of the house and if I could afford and permitable I would do a side extension but it's an overkill as the space is enough currently, maybe a small porch style roof over the entry way, I have saved examples of these. I've never thought of using a gate, wouldnt it be a hassle to open and close the gate when parking? but it's a good security feature specially around kids. we need to consider postman too. the side space is being considered for parking as the house entrance is there. and having hedging or planting at the front

If there is no need for a second door, then removing will help centre the attention to the main door. You could go with a modern door. Sage green is a common suggestion for color which could be extended to a repaint of the garage door. If you go with another color for the front and entry, you might need to extend the redo to painting the remaining front windows the same. Whilst you ponder this, an easy brightener would be some color in the hanging planters either side of the door - some color in your pot selection and color in the pots.

if the paintwork is sound then a fungicidal wash can last 2/3 years before needing doing again ( dulux trade 5ltr covers 25sq meters for under £40) will bring it up like new. Some window cleaners can provide this service. I wouldn't have flower beds right next to the house (you wouldn't want the fungicide washing on or in, but you can cover plants in plastic sheeting) but if you do then have a channel of gravel which can help with soil spray in heavy rain. I would be planting in pots further forward that can be moved into the sun. I have some very large plastic pots in sage this year (as i am fed up with my wooden pots disintegrating and terracotta pots cracking and its hard to get large glazed pots anymore) and even full are easy to move…@£35 from BlueDiamond. Hellebores and hostas will survive in winter dark shade then you can infill in spring/summer when the pots get morning and afternoon light