You can use graph paper to draw a scale layout of your space. Draw furniture pieces to scale to cut out and explore arrangements. Take sun location at the times of day you'd use the space along with the different sun angles a summer and winter. Also, with and without the tree in the center. Pavers or stone can be the surface. More trees and bushes can go on the edges of the space as allowed.

A few questions:

Is this common space or yours only?

How is it accessed? I only see an opening in the front hedge.

Are the meters read visually or electronically? (If they're now electronic, humans would rarely need access to them.)

Dimensions and tree location would be really helpful.

We need a to scale drawing it is impossible to help with no idea of size and also answers to the questions already asked . DO NOT start anpther post just post the plan here in jpeg format in a comment , in fact all things related to this post now dealt with here in comments .Are there rules in the complex about what you can touch?

The back of your garden has room for a bench or two chairs and a small table. It badly needs more plants. Is it always shady?

You have several beds of groundcover. You could add some taller, flowering plants to them. Or bulbs.

What plants did you lose?

Wouldn't this be something your HOA would take care of?

Here are some ideas:

Hi Everyone,

The courtyard is a community courtyard space. I am on the landscaping committee (all of us volunteers without much design experience) and we want to revamp the space.. It is mostly shaded. The street entrance (there is only one little entrance in and out) is on the West side and the back is on the east side. We are tucked in a small gorge with tall trees on top, so that also cuts down on the amount of sun it receives from the East side. Currently there is only really seating for 4 people. We would like to expand the seating somehow so it could be used as more of a gathering space for coffee or a glass of wine in the evening. The HOA will have to approve our plans. We are trying to keep costs down if possible, still make it an inviting space. I was thinking maybe movable seating and maybe a picnic table. I would love to have some blooming plants brought into this space, but it's so shady and probably not conducive to blooming flowers, maybe incorporating colorful pots to bring in some color. It's a bit of a wedge shape. Shorter at the back and wider at the entrance. We are in Austin, TX Zone 8. We have a landscaping crew that mows and cleans up our area and can help iwith the plantings, but probably would need to hire someone for any hardscapes. I really like the picture provided by Doug. We would probably have to allow room around the base of the tree for growth. I will try to get out and measure the area. Crazy week with the holidays :-).

Visit your local garden center and pay a pro a few hundred dollars to design something for you.

You absolutely can have blooming plants in shade there. Many full sun plants actually prefer some shade and relief in the scorching heat and intense sun in Texas (I’m in D/FW).

I’d take your pics to an established local nursery — not big box store — and get their advice on what plants would work.

This is a pretty big job, and could be a bit complicated … it might be worth raising funds to hire a pro. Just looking at pics, there’s no way for any of us to know how things drain, the exact dimensions (you don’t want to plant anything that will get too big), the exact soil type (I have two different types in my yard), the exact way the sun moves throughout the day, your irrigation system, and on and on.

I’d want to also plan for year-round interest — a nursery or pro would be able to advise.

Your idea of pots is a good one, lots you could grow in them. Just be prepared to water daily in the summer. :) Talavera and other colorful pots would look great.

ETA: I’m pretty sure the groundcover is Asian Jasmine. Keep it if possible, it’s a tough one.

Re: the meters — my town is fine with planting near ours, or having a screen in front of it, as long as they can easily read it and service it. Just call to make sure, it’s different everywhere.