Keep it simple and functional. Replace the narrow steps with stepped down, broad decks. and put a definte border where cars are parked. The extra deck space gives a kind of "landing place" that more than one person can occupy. This makes the front really welcoming, and provides a place to put things on arrival. It defines the parking area and gives you the opportunity to put some feature pieces there that fit the feeling of "time at the beach".

Excited to see what this is going to look like at the end!

The back looks more inviting than the front at present , but anything can be worked with . Is it a permanent home , or a beach place , only used occassionally ? The design and needs will vary a lot . Also , you said there is a carport to the right , that you are adding a door to , but the image seems to show that on the left ? Likewise , is that an addition to the right , or is that the carport closed in ? Anyway , assuming the windows are staying , and assuming its a holiday home ( the only reasoning is that 2 x 9kg gas bottles wouldn't be what most people would fit to a permanent home . I wouldn't do a footpath along a wall , I'd be a metre out -- allows for a garden , but also in case you need to get to plumbing , power , etc . Roof in a light grey ( yes , I know , but it is tropical , so don't go dark anything ) with charcoal ( or orange if you dare ! ) gutters and white eves , and slightly off-white walls , with 2 timber doors . Boring eh ? But then I'd have black steel frames around the windows ( not the window frames ) with security bars across , BUT with stained 80mm x 80mm timber rails screwed over the crossbars , so that is all you can see . The combo of white and a reasonably deeper toned stained timber exterior will look classy , clean , modern and be secure . The additions much the same , some rock or bark gardens , tropical plants , ferns , palms , knock yourself out !

Thanks oklouise. Agree..downstairs will eventually be for guests.. 2 bedrooms and extra living flowing out to garden . We intend to add 2 story extension..garage underneath, master suite, maybe another bedroom and bathroom/powder room , thinking entry and stairs could be incorporated there also.main views are from east elevation and nice garden views else where. Plenty of room ant the back of the block for extension and garden east elevation is front of the house and west elevation is at the back of the house..but where guests and family arrive. I. The very immediate future we want a great upstairs living/dining and kitchen..downstairs a master bedroom, maybe 2 guest rooms and bathrooms.