It's difficult to tell from the pics you posted what the exact layout is. Can you post some pics of your style (from Pinterest). I look at these spaces and the first thing I think of is remove every planter and loose object and pressure clean everything! The picture with the roof (#1) looks like its brick with a little patch of grass where the table is sitting. Is that correct? How about putting down the thickest landscape weed barrier you can find and then lay synthetic turf in that space. I live in the southeast and one of our nicest waterfront clubs has this on the whole deck/dining area. It looks great and feels great underfoot. Here's an example pic:


I'm personally not a fan of the lattice and corrugated plastic. Is privacy an issue? If so, there has to be a better barrier. Possibly wood slats? Sun shades? Curtains? If not, what about removing it entirely?

Now overhead you have to think about how you're going to use the space. If you put in a permanent roof, it will be dark and shady most of the day. If you want to cut your budget somewhat you can just use Sunbrella fabric or similar draped through the beams, which you could paint or stain.




For the side yard with the pathway and the weeds. I like stepping stones sand set in pea gravel or aquarium stones. You can use squares, circles or free form. It should compliment the color of your cleaned up brick.You can either plant the pathway or fill in in entirely with the stone.

If you get a high pressure power washer (3500 psi+), you can get a circular rotating surface cleaner attachment and it will blast out all those weeds between pavers. If you get some polymeric grout and broom sweep it in, they will not return for a very, very long time. I was looking at your area where you plan to do the raised bed. Decide what you're planting before designing. You may need sun, shade or a little bit of each.

I think you should pick a style that you like. Whether it is modern or traditional or cottage. Then you can look at styles on the side of the houzz browse. Like cottage flowering plants. Or modern khaki furniture. From the little I can tell I think you will need a couch outdoors instead of a table? And cleaning out the weeds will help you figure out what to start with for plants. A landscape designer could give you suggestions as well if you find one in your area.

Maybe include a water fountain or ethanol fireplace in your design? Ethanol fireplaces are smoke and odor free so they require no vent and require no gas line or electricity so you can install one anywhere. Here are pics for inspiration and more at http://www.soothingcompany.com/fireplaces/ethanol-fireplaces.html

The trouble with this space is that is way too much going on. Plastic screening, two different roof slopes, brick siding adjacent to poorly color matched pavers, random plantings and pots, vines...... You don't need to add anything, you need to de-clutter

I would simplify the entire space. Take up and dispose of the pavers, the pattern looks terrible with the brick siding. I would use natural stone in a rectangular pattern, with larger stones. Remove the plastic screening. Remove the overhead structure and install a simple pergola. Reduce the number of pots to just a few gems.

Thanks for all your advice guys! I've ripped down the patio and installing a new gable one soon. I'll post pictures. I'm also getting quotes for the floor. The pavers (three different kinds) look bad. I had a quote for decking this area 45sqm and it was $12,000!! Might look at paving after all :)

UPDATE! new patio installed and fence painted grey. Looking better, next step is new paving, fixing up the garden bed on the side and near the fence. The removal of the shade cloth has meant strong light streaming in, so I need to get some shade blinds or curtains too ($$$)

If anyone has any advice on paver colours of shade blinds - even trees I can plant for privacy (see last photo) that would be great!

Wonderful job!!

Now liquid limestone or pavers? Both will cost roughly the same for me. Does anyone have any advice on which is better? Or what pavers would suit?

Progress! Garden bed near the fence built and rendering of the retaining walls. Still no idea what floor to put in... What colour pavers would suit colourbond ironstone painted fence? Any suggestions and ideas welcome!

Thanks Kivi - i agree. I was thinking grey pavers but it might be too much. Would you recommend something like midland brick ashler range in a light colour? I like the random pattern.

I will also need to paint the rendered garden bed and wall - but was thinking a light neutral colour.

Yes that looks like a good option. I wish some pieces were a bit larger but still a good look. Have you seen samples of this stone laid?

Just realised I didn't post how it ended up! Now just the bottom level to do.

Looks great ! What a nice clean transformation of that whole space. Nice job.

Maybe a sketch of outdoor area as relates to house?

Here is a super rough sketch of the outdoor area. The area I want to makeover is the bottom area which is sunken from the main patio.

I thought maybe some grass/play area for our kid (due September!)? Or some tall trees for privacy as there is a Laneway behind the fence.. Any ideas would be much appreciated!

Nice progress- I like the lawn idea for the lower level

SO much potential!

I would start by getting rid of all those small pots and don't use the top of the wall for stuff. It has a very cluttered look, and the plants are not thriving. I would aim for a super simple and clean plan for the lower level so that you are able to maintain it as a nice looking clean space.
Remove all of the pavers, bricks, pots and plants ( other than the olive). Buy some precast wall stone and build a small wall/ ledge at the base of the fence so that it is about a foot deep and about a foot high with the back of the wall tight against the fence. Then put in lawn on the rest of the whole space for the new arrival to hang out and play. The reason for the wall stone is to give you a good surface to trim the grass against and a nice ledge for you to put long planter boxes for flowers or vines that you can train up the fence. It will help make the grass easy to maintain and give you an easy place to maintain your flowers etc.

I've been collecting ideas.. https://au.pinterest.com/yvettecoyne/landscape-ideas/

Finished!!

I love your patio cover. Would you share what brand it is or where you got it?

You did great!! Wish I could transform my back yard.

Colourbond patio / posts are ironstone colour and the sheets are ice storm (I think!)

Before and after

If you are still looking for some color, how about a small tree, ornamental grasses, oriental poppies under planted with ground covers? Pictured here (top): Magnolia stellata, Carex 'Prairie Fire,' Papaver orientale 'Beauty of Livermere,' and black mondo grass. Pictured below: a row of Zebra grass with Lithodora 'Grace Ward.'

covers.