If time and budget permit I would add horizontal screens (timber stain or charcoal/woodland grey) from the right pillar to the garage (hiding the down pipe) and from the left corner of the house (hiding the bins) Do basic landscaping, two narrow beds either side under the windows, bark mulch and simple plants e.g. Lomandra longifolia (a native low grassy dark green clumping plant) is common but easy spaced every 30 cm Valuers like safe and neutral schemes, so keep with the Woodland grey roof/fascia & Classic cream garage door and repeat this on the upper feature slats for now. Then add a warm complimentary colour for the front door, this is Dulux Rodham Then get a lush new plant for that pot too. If you keep it simple (KISS Principle) for now it will come together for sure :)

Just love that rabbit perhaps his hutch would be good to the left on the top terrace The sandstone rock and stairs to the left of your house could be worked on to look really special again, a Zen like The fern that was moved off the rocks is likened to a weed and best removed, I quite like the rock as a feature. As for any pavers any of the square or rectangle concrete ones would look great and are cheaper than most, please don't paint them you can get them from Bunnings. We also play Bocci on our grass that over looks water. great fun.

Tropical plants will suit you best. Think amandas blush, red sister, subaru, heliconias, pony tail palms, philodendrons etc. They are hardy plants that need a little love to get going but will flourish for many years after. Style the space with some plants in pots (you can colour pop here or let the plants do that when they blossom). Some pavers, and nice stones/pebbles on the garden bed will really elevate the look. Pops of white will keep the space light and tropical. Some wooden furniture or tropical inspired decorations will also bring the space to the next level. It will be calm, inviting and easy to care for.

Kristen, your plan looks good to me. The stepping stones along the long fence are a great feature. The palm in that photo, is it on your side of fence or your neighbour's? Ruth & bigreader have good suggestions re using more of a hedging plant. Both would be striking and afford you some privacy in time. Just check that your soil will agree with whatever you select. I love birds of paradise, but will the giants be enough to give privacy? I like them in small groups best rather than in a line. It's going to be a splendid back garden when you are finished.