I love those shade sails! You might consider making 'walls' with boxed planters. Instead of planters only being on the perimeter use them as if walls inside a home instead. Putting them on casters can give flexibility to move them around if you want a larger space for an event. Also consider outdoor rugs. Just like in the home, outdoor rooms can have their furniture anchored by rugs as well. Just be sure they can take the elements and check if you have to pull them in during a rainy season. In regards to a spa, it appears from your photo that your terrace is above ground level. Make sure your terrace is structurally sound for the weight a spa will create. Also with a spa, folks getting out will have wet feet and that floor can be very slippery when wet. So add a floor covering around the spa area or the small wood tiles that imitate a deck and can be interlocked together right on that floor. a terraced water feature at the center of that star burst would be more interesting than a pot and a trunk! You can't see enough of the the palm to enjoy it.

You can use side panels or a deck/surround to create what is, in effect, a free standing bath that would work well aesthetically and, optionally, as part of a wetroom-style bathroom. Deep soaking tubs are especially effective for such projects; they have smaller footprint, which affords more room in the shower area, but their greater depth makes them exceptionally comfortable.

We are remodeling our home and have a huge pile of concrete from removing a fireplace and chimney. I'm interested in building a similar terrace and barrier wall on my hillside and saw your comment on this process, using recycled concrete. Can you give me more information about your process?

Thank you for taking the time to post everyone, there are some great ideas here! I do love a brick wall, although what makes this ‘ugly’ is the fact that the previous owners came onto our property to paint it (their choice). They cut in with a shade of cream then put their house up for sale without finishing the painting so now it’s been left patchy with lots of wires, pipes and central heating vents poking out of it. The new owners are not interested in doing anything to it but have said we can ‘do what we like with it’. The wall is actually the full side of their house which is a large - so the idea of painting it is one we hoped to avoid - although I really like the grey painted brick image (I’m not sure the ‘do what you like’ would extend to this) - it’s worth a shot to ask though! Greenery and lighting are definitely the way forward! I had thought of greenery (you’ll see the bamboo poking out the top of the hot tub, although a bit small) and outdoor mirrors to reflect light. Thanks again all