metal wall art cheap and can be sprayed whatever colour to suit,move the bins and a small 2 seat round table and chairs to detract from the air con

I think that the problem that you have is that you have too many flat surfaces and angles with nothing to lead your eye away from the blandness. You have grey concrete, grey roof, grey walls and the emotional response to that is a feeling of flatness and blah. The only thing that brings any kind of relief to the view are the plants and the steps that introduce different levels. My suggestion would be to look at adding texture, different levels for contrast to the flat surfaces and colours that unite those elements. Take a look at how the red lid on the rubbish bin pops out amongst the muted tones. Maybe bright red pots with taller (and healthier) looking plants in them on either side of the bench with a textural artwork or screen as mentioned above in between. You could be really bold and paint the steps red!, but don't do the pot plant suggestion if you do that. Once the air conditioning unit is removed I would put more boards down the front to cover up the gap and dirt underneath the pot plants. If you have the available space in front of that, place some seating and maybe a table, perhaps toning in with the grey tones but with a colour pot or cushions that tie in with the plants in the coloured (I suggested red, go with what you like) pots. I would also like to see what sort of door you have to access the room and yes, put the bins somewhere else if possible, they are unsightly.

I think the pots and plants you have chosen are not the right choice for the location... too many sharp angles and lines, they look a little scrag'/]gly there. I would suggest removing them and using them elsewhere and instead choosing a larger single shrub, perhaps in a pot, something with soft leaves and flowers and like said previously some texture. Maybe like a grevillea or bottlebrush. I would place it between the air con unit and the doorstep. My reason is you have some unsightly things like the bins and the aircon unit, and its not really possible to screen them completely or cover them, so instead place something that draws the eye more and is beautiful. Having a large potted plant like a showy grevillea will draw the eye and become the feature and you won't notice the aircon, bins etc so much.

Hi Samantha

I'm not sure if this is your front or back door? I would put the pots on the lower level, and put something more vertical and hedge like in them ... a gardenia or similar.

I would consider mounting a screen as Shelley mentioned. These ones are an easy off-the-shelf option, and you can source similar ones from Bunnings etc.(http://www.outdeco.com/)

I would paint it a bright colour - a yellow, for example, would look good on that grey. It will draw the eye up and away from the bins and AC unit (and if you can store the bins elsewhere during open inspections, that's always good).

Electric light is good too - although more expensive to install. However, perhaps you could get some solar lights to sit in the pot plants? If you're doing any evening photos or inspections, the light will be a good addition.

I would also suggest buying a new door mat - again one with some colour, or "Welcome" on it, is always good.

It's those little details in people's path of travel that make a big difference to their impression of your property.

Hope that helps,

Regards

Amelia

Undercover Architect

www.undercoverarchitect.com

i think in the corner on the little decking put 2 different sized decorative pots and perhaps a small bench seat