@ EMILY! Thanks so much for showing us all that you've accomplished...what a big...ongoing job and its not cheap undertaking something like that. Thanks for the tip about the star jasmine...I have a beautiful planting of that.....or rather 'had'...I got a chap in to trim it for me who advertised himself as experienced....Oh Dear! He killed most of the vine by cutting it at ground level! Now its a brown horrible mess up a tall trellis and no privacy. I'm devastated. To make it worse the neighbour sits out on her back deck and calls out to me when I'm out there when before she couldn't see me.....I'm putting up atemporary reed screen...I think....would rather my star jasmine with the blackbirds nesting in it....I know the feeling of not jumping in in case one makes a regrettable mistake. I also had gardenias but once they get sick its not worth all the trouble. I've had to learn heaps about what plants are appropriate for my place and I've made some really silly mistakes too. I've never seen those cut laser panels before and am a bit intrigued. What are they used for,,outdoor lighting? That colourbond fence works really well as a privacy screen! You've done so much and have invested not only your hard-earned money but also your ideas! Hope you have some lovely times in your space.

The area could look too narrow if you fill it with items so maybe one plant, rather than a few. I would take the colour or even the same plant that you have in the garden by the door the bright coloured plant. I agree about the fly screen remove it but say it is available to the new owner e.g. it is in the garage. I would freshen up the white paint and I would also follow the advice above about water blasting the cobble stones prior to the porch. Get rid of or update the door mat. I am thinking a mirror would bounce light around the space. You can always take it with you. I am thinking of something I have seen a few times in New Zealand. A rustic timber, or an old window frame with a small planter box attached to the front, filled with fresh potted colour and the mirror at the back - to give it the wow factor and the illusion of space. I would hang it on the right side wall as you walk up to the door.

How many people are ever in the waiting room at the same time? This would have some bearing on whether more seating is required. I still think a love seat would be cramped even without the file cabinet, since there is what looks like a sink and washing machine on the wall opposite the chairs. ?? Having said that, with file cabinet gone, one chair could be in corner with other chair under window (with plants in raised stand next to) and side table between. Then there would be room for a small 2-seater or additional chairs. I would also swap out the black cushion covers for a grey or off-white (removable covers so they can Ben washed) as the black ones disappear on the chairs. flat rug and one with low pile and easy to vacuum or clean.

I think it would be helpful if we had a better understanding of the style you are going for (noting your comment that buxus seemed too formal). It seems like you are looking for hedge plants but have you thought of two small feature trees either side of your front gate along with under planting? I like The native Westringia Fruticosa (although it is not dissimilar to Buxus). There are a number of varieties and they can be trimmed to the desired height: https://www.gardeningwithangus.com.au/index.php?s=Westringia&search-by-term=Submit