Hi. would you use a shower? It may be very expensive to run plumbing there and I'm guessing (!) you may also need council and leaseholder permission. I can't save pics as I have a poorly iPad but maybe google images of moroccan style courtyard for inspiration. I would have a self-contained water feature perhaps on the end wall if there isn't the floor space. Use mirrors on a ŵall to make it feel larger, I think you can get Moroccan outdoor ones. Moroccan encaustic tiles for the floor. If in budget a U shaped bench seat which you can add colourful cushions to when the weather permits, if not an all weather rattan sofa with a coffee table. If you want to use it all year round I would add a ŵall heater and a canopy of sorts with either fairy lights or moroccan lanterns. I'd also think about practicalities of gardening so I might be tempted to mix in a few faux plants..

I have Brazilian slate. I had same issue when installed. So i used brick and slab cleaner from screw fix if i recall. Will add a photo of each i used in a bit. I then sealed them using a cheap slab sealer. Perfect, nothing wrong. cost about 20 quid for botha and 5 litre cans. They are now water proof, but slippery when wet especially with flip flops. opps.. Remember, if you need to allow soak away, you may not be able to use sealer as it creates a water barrier. but if its just in the garden on level ground sloping away form house you should be fine to go. As soon as dry, they are as good to go as before, but clean remember to let completely dry and needs 24 hours of good weather to dry. Use at least 2 coats. works a treat.!!!

That is a really good point. I had considered wooden planters either the side of steps at the bottom but your idea is brilliant. You are right the steps are different heights and quite dangerous. Many thanks. I think I need to spend tomorrow pulling out weeds and having a good think.

We built an extension on our last house (3 storey 1850's victorian town house). Most of the new back wall was a bifolding sliding oak door. We were happy with them and they looked good but we rarely had them open all the way. For this reason we have decided not to have them again in our new house. This time we are opting for 3 sets of french doors similar to the house in the picture above. There are some advantages over the folding sliding doors. It allows the wall space to be used in between each set of doors. It looks nicer in my opinion and you could curtain the 3 sets of doors if you wish. There was no point putting curtains on a folding sliding door because you would end up with a whole wall of fabric which wouldn't look great so we lost our privacy. By the way our new house is a ugly 1955 build. We are trying to make it look traditional with an exterior makeover.