It depends on where you are situated. Japanese Maples are from........Japan. Their climate is much kinder than ours and they also get significant winter cold and snow. If you can't replicate these conditions, then you are forever pampering them to try to keep them looking good. Personally I would prefer to grow a tree that I KNOW will work without the fuss. They are also fussy about soil and hot northerly winds.

Where is north in this photo? It looks to me as though the area in question is fairly shaded so a lot of the above options wont work if the area is on the southern side of the home, especially because of the winter shade. The space gets afternoon sun - in summer or winter? There are shadows from trees - are these deciduous or evergreen? Clay can vary enormously from being plasticine like to clay with rocks or stones in it. This will have an enormous bearing on the plants that you can use, precluding plants like westringias that require very good drainage. A plant that is as tough as old boots that will grow in both sun and shade [with some sunlight during the day] is Buxus microphylla var japonica varieties, while Aucuba japonica [Gold dust plant] or even some of the native lomandra grasses would work well. The first two can be grown as a hedge with the latter choosing a variety that you like [ there are so many], but have the plants all the same - don't mix them up. These will all grow in some shade, will grow in clay as well if it isn't too poorly drained. It does appear as though the area is sloping ever so slightly away from the house which is good. But I would steer clear of paving - unless its needed for access etc, it will look patchy and pointless - use plants instead to make your picture - its far more sustainable. Alison

No single chairs (yet). The blue lounges are 100cm deep by approx 198cm long. I did place them adjacent one another to see if I could have that configuration but the one against the external wall extended past the door opening and it just didn't look right. So I presumed a cnr sofa with the short side against the external wall or sofa with chaise would probably be the best option. It is possible that I could get a 2 seater but would have the challenge to make sure it complemented the three seater rather than clash. There appears to be more choices for rhf sofas than lhf.

Hi pallavi the cut out area would be great for the marble table. A large round mirror above it (i just bought one from freedom at a reasonable price). Maybe a hanging macrame pot plant in the corner (hanging from thr ceiling) where ur current plant is......this would be a vocal point as soon as people walk in. Yes a piece of artwork on the opposite wall would be nice to balance both sides. Hope this helps you alittle to get ur creative hat on and just go for it. the only problem is there is no storage as u wanted but you can always put a nice bowl on the console for u to store keys.