How about a long white bench with a large dark green pot on each end -- filled with herbs?

Or a few more half-barrels filled with bright flowers? And a couple of chairs?

Jan

what Teacats said, or make a big planter there, tall enough so that when planted it reaches the window sill.
Diane

You've got a lot of strong horizontal lines. The space is crying out for a strong vertical element.

Is the paved area concrete or paving stones? If it is made of paving stones, then I would consider ripping them all up and planting bushes and flowers in there. If it is concrete, I might put in large tall pots with minature evergreens perhaps spaced so that they go in between windows. A bench would work but only if you would use it.

If you can plant I would do something like this:

Here is a link that might be useful: [full annual beds[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/front-door-traditional-landscape-seattle-phvw-vp~19639)

I like the idea of a bench along with potted plants on each side. Hibiscus are easy to grow and get tall so it would add height. How about a birdbath?

Thanks for all the replies. I would not be averse to adding a bench, although it's unlikely that anyone would ever sit there - it's in full sun and faces the least attractive view.

The pavement is concrete, but it appears to be in the form of separate, large squares (bigger than typical paving stones) that could potentially be removed.

Hibicus: I love H. rosa-sinensis but it's not hardy here; it would have to be brought indoors for the winter. That is sort of a problem with anything in containers here in zone 5.

What clairking said....WOW! That would work!! Colored pottery pots filled with beautiful plants.....that's what I would suggest!