Landscaping should lead the visitor to the front door, not block its access or camouflage it. One of the biggest mistakes people make is to allow a huge shrub to grow in front of the door, blocking the view of the door from the street. For safety reasons alone, you should keep your front door area visible. Make the front walk look inviting. Colorful flowers can help.
Annuals are inexpensive and add instant color throughout the season.
If you prefer not to plant them in the ground, consider placing them in pots to line the walk or make a front porch or entryway appealing. It's amazing what a punch of flower color can do to a front door area. Just a few pots of color in a darkened porch corner or near the door can make the home look inviting. It's not a good idea to use fake flowers to decorate outside. They just fade in the sun and rain, and they look cheap.