This might not be the most budget friendly solution, but worthwhile in the end: Build a covered connection between the house and the garage, with a new front door in it (and lots of glass, maybe even a back door). Or at least a covered breezeway, something centered that catches the attention. Remove or replace the taller fence for a more welcoming type (picket fence for example) and make a nice little front yard of the new 'niche'.
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window trearment
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