On window add a black shade, woven bamboo sold at all big box store they are just hung on nails and the put up rod in black and add white panels in each end for a finish look. Palm trees or tall plants are used to fill in bare spots in rooms usually corners. The sofa you picked above is nice, how long is it? Just put one chair on door wall. Not enough room for more. I think you could do a longer 7 ft. Sect.

Wow what a great space to work with - the options are endless and it really depends on your budget. Some ideas:- - paint all the fences to give the area a lift - could also consider putting horizontal timber boards (a bit like decking not sure what you call them) along the fence under the pergola as a feature with a couple of pot plants in front of it or a vertical garden - remove the Hills Hoist and put a large fold down clothesline along one of the fences to open up the area - consider replacing concrete with some pavers if you have the budget and then remove some of the concrete so that you can open up the space with more lawn - plant screening trees along the fence lines to add some more green and keep the space nice and open - in the covered area, the above suggestion is ideal - if you need more light you could consider some transparent sheeting in the roof of the pergola Just some ideas but of course it all comes down to your budget and taste.

Thanks, Paul. Totally hear what you're saying. We feel stuck between a rock and a hard place. Consulting a designer would have been our first port of call. But we're cautious for very good reason. We did what we thought was the sensible thing and consulted a 'designer' for our internal renovations. We got burned big time. We're fearful the same thing could happen again, when the wrong landscape designer spots the garden illiterate coming too. We simply can't afford to make that mistake again, but understand the consequences of not consulting a designer. Consulting the trades direct does arm us with more knowledge (so we can spot the con artist a little sooner), but we don't want to be time wasting tyre kickers either. We've had some great word of mouth referrals with other trades. But due to lack of exposure or bad experiences, absolutely no-one can recommend a designer or landscaper. That in itself makes us a bit nervy.

Since this is western facing I think it's important you keep a screen much like the one you have. In winter it seems too shady but come summer you will be glad for the coverage from hot afternoon sun. Perhaps the best solution for you is a deciduous tree screen which gives you the warmth in winter for the pooches and shade in summer when you want it. A good candidate would be chinese redbud in a dwarf variety, it won't get too big but will give you lovely blossoms and wonderful shade in summer. Given the height of your fence I think you will struggle with turf. It will likely become patchy and won't be a good investment. May I suggest zoysia as a good alternative? It's a low clumping grass that's perfect for a shady position. Often used in Japanese style gardens this would provide a lovely grassy area for your dogs but never needs mowing and grows well in your shady position. It's also far more interesting to look at than regular turf. Under the tree screen you have the option for many types of understory shrubs that can either give you floral display, fragrance or just a nice evergreen feature. Here are some good options. For something fragrant, cheap and fast growing try star jasmine. It likes sun and shade and comes in this stunning tricolour too. Year round prettiness on a budget and very easy to grow. It can even be clipped into a foot high hedge and yes gives fragrant flowers all spring and summer. Or there are the ever popular azalea's which aren't difficult to grow as long as you shade them from hot afternoon sun. Your space can be more than just a dog patch. It can be a very pretty zen garden too that you could all enjoy.