I need some extra brightness for my new front area. Please help!!

Hello Wendy, could you possibly post a photo to better understand how to suggest the brightening modifications?

I was thinking bright floral or succulent planters or perhaps light colored shutters if you house design would allow that design? What is your front door like -could it be more light or colorful? Do you have house numbers or a door wreath?

These sedum planters survive snow ice and below freezing temperatures in my zone 7. They have a nice draping effect as the soread and enlarge.

I assume you aren't going to paint your siding a lighter color any time soon, or replace it. I see a coral-family painted front door in your future... Do you have room to add flower boxes? I would paint them to match the front door and add to your front windows. Or if your front porch area has the space, add some nice large pots or planters in a light bright color to complement that beautiful coral door you're going to paint, or in various coral and contrasting tones (forest green, for instance) and add seasonal annuals in the summer and fall. In the winter I would add a dark forest green wreath with coral, gold and silver ornaments and lots of flowing long ribbons tipped by jingles bells (you can make those yourself) that jingle when the front door is opened and closed and flank the door with artificial 3 to 4 ft. tall Christmas trees decorated in coral, gold and silver with lots of white twinkler (flickering) lights. These are only starter ideas. There is lots you can do with plantings in flower beds across the front of the house and flanking your brick paver sidewalk to complement the color scheme but lighten the front of your house. I'd stick with coral family and white for flowers in the planting beds, not yellow. There are white-tipped tall perennial grasses you can plant, double-coral hybrid short day lilies (about a foot tall), white trimmed green euonymus shrubs, white dwarf lilac bushes, white tulips, shasta daisies, white phlox, and lots of white annuals, as well as the beautiful coral-colored begonias. And don't forget hardy roses and tea rose hybrids. Check online for your planting zone (I'm in zone 5) to get a full list of annuals and perennials that will grow in your area.

My house will be resided next year, but vinyl siding in Nutmeg so still brown. Love the idea of a coral door! Unfortunately, my front faces north and plants don’t do well there As there isn’t enough sun. Once the residing project is done I won’t drill into the siding. I have some plate flowers I’ve made, but the glue keeps falling off the puck that holds it on. EEK!!

Also ❤️ Those plants! So they do well in partially shaded areas??? I’m in Gurnee so not far from you at all.