I think that the problem that you have is that you have too many flat surfaces and angles with nothing to lead your eye away from the blandness. You have grey concrete, grey roof, grey walls and the emotional response to that is a feeling of flatness and blah. The only thing that brings any kind of relief to the view are the plants and the steps that introduce different levels. My suggestion would be to look at adding texture, different levels for contrast to the flat surfaces and colours that unite those elements. Take a look at how the red lid on the rubbish bin pops out amongst the muted tones. Maybe bright red pots with taller (and healthier) looking plants in them on either side of the bench with a textural artwork or screen as mentioned above in between. You could be really bold and paint the steps red!, but don't do the pot plant suggestion if you do that. Once the air conditioning unit is removed I would put more boards down the front to cover up the gap and dirt underneath the pot plants. If you have the available space in front of that, place some seating and maybe a table, perhaps toning in with the grey tones but with a colour pot or cushions that tie in with the plants in the coloured (I suggested red, go with what you like) pots. I would also like to see what sort of door you have to access the room and yes, put the bins somewhere else if possible, they are unsightly.

It’s a little confusing. What are the decked pads for along the fence line. I assume the retaining wall and garden bed behind it is in your property. It looks kilometres you have concrete beside the house with a step in it. I would have had a ramped track along the side of house to move things to back yard like bikes and garden supplies. What do you need in the way of regular access along side of house? What is the front yard. I would continue that treatment and maybe some stepping stones, these could be treated pine sleepers it depends on your look for the front.

Hi Tania! This is an unrelated question, I just wasn't sure how else to ask so you would see my question... I saw another comment you wrote about using betta stone benchtops, and I was wondering what your review of it is? I am thinking about installing it as it's silica free and looks to be good, but there's not any reviews of it I can find-except your comment! Thanks Tania :)

As soon as I see greys and off-whites as main colours , without something to add that Wow , I sort of wonder Why , but thats just me . No-one is offended at Charcoal , it ties in with most colours , its safe , but it adds to most overall schemes . My only real worry with charcoal is that it may get to be what Mission Brown or Forest Green became -- so overdone and tacky that everyone hates it ! A violetty blue , or bright red , or sunshine yellow is more polarising , and natural timber or stacked stone are outside some peoples budgets , but I always like to add something that is just a bit upmarket or bright or unexpected . Your place is sounding like 80% of new builds , whereas a bit of thought and $5k more could give it that extra attention IMO .