This area is well shaded already and a dark colour on the walls and floor would suck the light out further. The rendering effect looks rustic rather than a crisp finish (unless there is another coat to go on yet) so not painting makes it look unfinished. I fess up I think grey is over used, there are plenty of other neutral colours out there so suggest Dulux limed white (note the actual chip is a warmer light taupe the website shows it as grey, duh!) for the walls. This will still be a nice contrast against the window frames and compliment the darker slate tile you want for the patio. You appear to have plenty of greenery and you could add a pop of contrast colour with a large pot (red, purple?). All the best with your project.

Both suggestions above are good. One house we did had an outdoor deck area which led to a pool and we put timber decking on the deck with a perpendicular timber-decked walkway leading to the pool. We then put lights in the walkway which created a 'catwalk', continuing along the deck. It looked great at night lit up with the pool lights on too! Love the stepping stones and gravel idea too.

You can actually do a lot with a little if your prepared to have a go and get a bit experimental. Firstly, get the high pressure hose out and some outdoor cleaner to get rid of any moss build up on the paving and any of the walls and get a hose caddy/cart that when entertaining can be moved out of the way. These things will instantly make it feel better and tidier. use the vertical spaces available with hanging baskets with colour from the roof beams (use light weight baskets and potting medium) and window troughs that you can use with hooks off the fence (again, use light weight potting medium and troughs so as not to interfere with the structural integrity of the fence and beams). Use screen panels or lattice to hide any tanks/plumbing that exists and use well behaved climbers to continue to cover it. Look for some old outdoor timber settings to recycle by painting it up in either white or bright colour(s) (remember you can use outdoor cushions to introduce colour too) and then add hurricane candle holders - this looks inviting and casual. Look at your local hardware for either solar or electrical outdoor bollard lighting to make the space inviting of an evening (don't forget fairy/icicle lights for parties and/or Xmas) - look around for specials as you can save a bunch if your local Bunnings/Masters/Mitre 10 has a sale. Shade sails are an option if the area gets unpleasantly hot can also be used under the transparent roofing as is inserting some hooks into the beams and jerry-rigging a canvas awning that can be put up and taken down in minutes (just remember that you'll need eyelets in the canvas for the hooks to go through) are easy and cheap. The same idea can be done with net/muslin and LED fairy lights for evening parties. Have a colourful gorilla tub to do double duty around the house - gardening, laundry and as a good sized esky. If budget permits and there isn't already one - get an outdoor powerpoint - it's so handy for lights, the high pressure hose etc.

Just done this - had stacker doors made to fit, could have had bifold however screens for bifold can't be crimsafe, so easily broken into or damaged by children or pets. We often leave the doors open at night with just the security screens locked. As ours are our front entrance and not the rear, security was important. Also bifold folding out without a wall or roof are open to the elements and can be damaged if open during a hi wind. Will weather quickly also. Bifold look great but you really need to decide if they need to have security screens etc. We had beautiful timber stackers made, as we get big winds occasionally and the bifolds would have folded out onto the deck with lots of sun - didn't want to be re lacquering every 6 months.