Landscaping one week later

our house 4 years ago during our home inspection.  http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d722b3127cce9e4d0e6926bc00000026108AZsXDlq5cM-

first day of construction

So far they've cut down the tree-bush things, taken out the grass, shrubs, ivy and weed things. 

All this has cost me:

Labor               $1,500            

sod                   $1,300

trash bins          $1,000

organic dirt       $   500

tool rentals       $   500

Next on the list is sprinklers and hardscaping.  I really need plans for our landscaping.  :(  Like I said before, I've never done any landscaping and it's overwhelming to look at my yard and think of designing plans.  I could easily just plan a whole bunch of sod and put off the plants, but I know my neighbors are expecting me to put something nice in.  Plus, the sprinklers and irrigation lines are going in soon and my bro will need to know where to put them.   I really wanted to bust out the walkway we have going to our front doors and pour a new undulating one.  But, I know it's gonna cost a lot more money ($300 for another bin and I have no clue how much it would cost to pour concrete).  So, I'll probably end up lining the walkway with brick.  My oh my oh my...why didn't I hire someone to at least draw up some plans?  Oh yah...I needed to save money.

I also need to start thinking about plants.  I’m planning on putting plants all along the fences and our house.  I have no clue what I’m going to plant, but I do know that I need a ton of plants.  Wonder if someone at one of the nurseries would help me plan it out?