Hello Moomin. Thank you for posting your query. A planting design takes time, weighing up the site, your style and maintenance. Year round structure for aesthetics as well as screening and privacy come first. Always a shame when planting is an afterthought after landscaping! However this is very common and I've had some experience of planting design commissions after landscaping has been done. My initial thoughts do not take into account many things which can't be conveyed in one photo provided here (as designers we take into account the various views within the garden amongst other things) but I will outline here a sketchy response to demonstrate some considerations. There have been some good suggestions made above. Jonathandb1972 has a good one, planting a carefully selected tree, so the canopy softens (but not hides) the view of the conservatory behind. Olive could be an option but depends on the aspect given that your a fellow Yorkshire resident! Alternatively there's Pyrus salicifolia, or Prunus lusitanica the latter responding particularly well to pruning to retain the size. Always talk to your neighbour about your careful choices and help them to understand that you've considered maintenance.... And the benefit of planting for them! For best results a planter at least 50cm deep and nearly as much wide to help a tree flourish. Deeper would be better. Keeping a collection of containers of the same/similar material would unify the view. Perhaps allowing a climber up the adjacent wall which faces you when descending the steps? A third container might fit in the corner in front of the downpipe? Although the dimensions of space available would determine if this is possible. The dark colour of the fence is receding and also provides a lovely neutral colour to show off the foliage of the specimen. A very rough sketch is shown here in a version of your photo below. I've just done it on the iPad so is a bit rough and ready. In order to avoid the tree becoming too much of a focal point (you're trying to avoid looking at the building behind) a bold evergreen plant to the left corner next to the steps would draw your eye within the garden. This could then be balanced out with another one to the right of the tree or possibly one up the steps against the fence. This all depends on scale and space available. This would be my first draft concept but might well come to a different response when seeing the garden for real. Happy planting!

Hi Jess. It looks so much lighter than with the deep red tone! I think teal, red and yellow are a good combo (again the right shades!). I'd paint the bookcase in the teal and consider painting your chairs in the red (if not look for seat pads). I'd add a large retro sign between the lights (which I would change). Art.co.uk have a good selection but there are lots around. I'd move the yellow bowl to the worktop so it stands out a little more. Also consider adding a few herbs on the worktop. It looks as if the table will move into the middle of the room? I'm not sure if it's a little shabby chic for you but you could consider painting the fridge with chalk paint so it blends into the units and tiles a little more?

I must admit I thought it was going to be dearer than 5k! It is a lot of money though particularly if you're unsure. Or can you just install a transom window over your existing door? It won't be as effective but will still allow light through and then just consider the rest of the interior design to maximise the light? A sliding door could work well using Jonathan's idea of grander doors but I assume that will up the budget . I think 3ft is a minimum as a walkway if the chairs tuck under but it doesn't work particularly well when people are eating. I love a banquette anyway but they're great for space saving with a comfier seat. I can't find great pics nor do I really know how they work but you basically install an led light panel and then you can dress it how you want. Using daylight bulbs you can then time it to come on. I was just attempting to find google images of them which was hard but the last pic is from a company called soul speak designs in Essex. It might be worth giving them a call

I think I would try tweaking the layout slightly. Try the sofa flat in the middle of that wall and paint the radiator in the wall colour. Angle one chair in the corner of the room facing the sofa, move the other along and put the smaller table under the other with the lamp on (Art would need to move slightly). I think a tall plant always adds life to a room (other side of sofa to what's shown). I'm not sure if I'm right in saying you don't like the wallpaper? If you don't you could look at Cole and son cow parsley, it comes in a warmish grey Which might be worth trying. If you like that one can look for cushions and a rug to complement. Would you consider a coffee table or larger footstool for the room? Something round could work. Is the inside of the fire just plastered?