Need help!!!

I am starting a small landscaping project before I tackle a bigger one. I am fairly new to this as last year I had a landscaper take care of my backyard and it costs a small fortune.

Okay down to business, I want to rip out the boxwood which seems to not grow in certain areas and there are hostis and black eyed suzies which I will transplant myself. I basically want to start from scratch and design something so my wife will be proud of me, maybe with the help of some of you experienced folks.

I only got as far as maybe putting in a red dwarf maple in the center, but have no other idea on what to do. A buddy of mine gave me a few ideas, but this is the front of my house so I want it to look good.

Please help.

How much sun or shade does this area get? Which direction is the sun?

Hosta are shade plants, they can handle a little morning sun, but are best in bright shade.

Black Eyed Susan is a common name for several plants, mostly full sun plants. If you can post some pictures we can see about the proper ID.

The finests threadleaf types of Japanese Maple can burn in the hot afternoon sun, or wind. Is this a protected spot? Reflected afternoon sun is also not good for it.

Do you want to go toward a Japanese garden effect here?
Dwarf tree
Rock
Low, spreading plant like Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon japonicus) if it grows in your zone, or a moss-like spreader (there are several)

Or not so Japanese, a focal point with some seasonal color? Since it is next to the front door, I would select plants that look good most of the time, seasonally flower, but are nice looking even when they are not in flower.
The tallest item might barely be up to the bottom of the window, or just a bit higher (not even to the first pane, though).

Repetition will look better than a hodge-podge of one of these and one of those... sort of plant selection.

If you are willing to work at it then some sort of background mass (nice looking, of course) and a foreground band of annual flowers would really stand out. Need to replant seasonally.

Whatever basic plants you select here should be repeated elsewhere in the garden to tie it all together. Perhaps there is already something you want more of and you can add some here? Take some pictures and lets see if we can ID it.

Here is a concept:
Maroon = Dwarf/weeping/threadleaf Japanese Maple
Yellow = something taller at each corner
Blue = band of seasonal color, replanted often
Green = low ground cover plant. Allow bulbs to grow through it.
Crocus = keep them!
Rock = Keep it!

Great ideas from Diana, so the only other way I would suggest for you is to go visit Garden centre / nursery, wander around and pick out any potted plants / shrubs you fancy, put them into the trolley and find a space where you can lay the pots out, (remember to pick up the Maple you already have as this you want to show off too and place neighbouring plants that will compliment each other rather than hide, clash or just look out of place.
Take your time, turn the pots around, move them further apart, allow plenty space between the pots for growth as it should tell you on the labels what width / spread the plants will make, (usually after 5-10 years, so allow for that.
Remember texture of leaf is just as important as leaf colour anf small flowers are just as becoming as big blousey in your face flowers, all have there place, you just need to sit them next to some plants that needs that attention.

Take note of the type of soil you have AND the type of soil the plants NEED, Take photographs of the grouped plants your happy with so that when you eventually can purchase ALL in your chosen group, you are NOT buying plants that don't show themselves of to your advantage, also, once home with plants, lay the pots out on top of the garden soil to make sure they are looking good against the house background, again, move them a foot here or there till your happy, you can as Diana has suggested, fill in any gaps with bulbs, a taller tree lick say a flowering cherry that wont block out house light. or build a wooden climbing frame to support a nice climbing Rose or Clematis, both of these climbers can be grown together as the Clematis clambers through the rose. My own favourite choise for those 2 climbers is a Yellow climbing Rose with a large flowered Deep Purple or Mauve Clematis, but Pink Rose and Lavender Clematis is just as lovely, these kind of things give the illusion of height and space.

To fill a bed / border with Plants like shrubs, Bulbs etc is not cheep so take your time, make your plan and take pictures and notes so as you add to the bed / border, you have a record of cost and what you need, lots of new gardeners just grab a few plants and hope the whole plot will be in full bloom instantly, best do it as funds permit, when you have time and lastly, make sure the bed/ border you spend money on, you are able to afford the time to care for it, you never know, it might be a hobby you and your wife can both begin to love and enjoy doing things together.
Loads of books in the book stores and local library on new gardening designs and how to do things, named plants with pictures just make sure your soil and environment is suitable for the plants.
Hope this also helps you out a bit, Enjoy your new found hobby and take your time.
Best Regards.
WeeNel.