Think about painting the decking to match and it'll blur the boundary between the wall and the floor. Then go for a setting in grey that you can use as your base and go for bright colour cushions/place mats/potplant in a coloured pot to add colour and visual interest.

Thanks everyone. I am liking the idea of the bright colours - especially turquoise - and some potted plants.

Freedom Furniture have some great gelato coloured small outdoor settings in spearmint & watermelon - great with bright pots filled with tough succulents, such as silver blob. Just a thought :-)

I'd go for turquoise, this would pop against the grey and complement the palms giving a fresh tropical feel.

We've just painted our fence the same charcoal. It's behind a garden and I've planted old fashioned nandinas against it for a pop of colour with new red growth. The turquoise sounds good and so does orange-try for a burnt orange for real contrast.

For me...I'd keep the deck the colour it is, may give it a refresh if necessary and go hunting for outside bentwood firniture, you know that curly bamboo kind, it never dates and is elegant and above all comfortable...where many outdoor settings may look good but are not inviting. If the space were mine...and if it had shelter from the elements, or if you didn't mind some of those outdoor firniture protector covers for inclement weather ( when you may as well bring the furniture in...whatever it is..) .I'd also condsider going on the hunt for some lovely old colonial-looking wicker items painted brilliant white, it always makes a statement, always looks classy and is always gentle on the posterior! If you can find the genuine article often you will discover that the seats are made of entwined dried grasses and palm leaves. I'd also go looking at some of those plant/cafe' places...that sell plants, fountains, as well as up-market snacks and are often furnished with wicker...no harm in asking where they bought it...they may even sell it. Its a cosy little space...I'd just have come large comfy outdoor chairs and maybe little side tables. Think of fancy English ladies sitting out of doors watching a cricket match on the manor lawn and sipping drinks...that's the scenario I see there. Maybe even one of thos old tall plant stands with a large green specimen plant....Most of all....have fun.

Peacock chairs are hot right now, but if wicker, even if painted, bring them under cover in the rain.

Peacock chairs? I didn't even think of those! Whilst they might look nice in certain settings did not even envisage them in that neat space. Don't you think, chookchook2 that they would be a bit much? I had the old country cottage type of rolled low backed lounge type wicker chairs in mind. Will be interesting to see what Susan finds that she likes...seems there's heaps available.

Hehe, the 1970s is back, even macramé pot plant holders. Get that big roll of string!!

So many great ideas! Thanks everyone. Liking the idea of turquoise against the grey... will see if I can get a set small enough. I have seen a fold-up cafe set at Kmart in that colour. Stay tuned!

go for comfort more than anything else...you will enjoy it the most

With such a dramatic backdrop on the fence you could really experiment with some pop colour...a bright pink, aqua or yellow...always great for an entertaining space outside.