Carolina that was my inspiration picture! I think it is further up this thread somewhere. I love it. I think I am just a bit concerned about the texture of the rug being almost exactly same as Sofas and footstool whereas this pic has a bit more variation with the coffee table. But seeing the mock up that celery girl has posted definitely reassures me (thank you!)

It sounds like the principals of designing an awkward plot have been established; turn your focus inwards away from the boundaries and hide the shape of the plot where you can with structures, planting and focal points. Given the garden is north facing i agree that any terrace needs to be at the far end of the of garden to maximise on the southerly aspect outside the shadow of the house. If you put screens, hedges in front of it to hide it you will shade out the terrace. A structure in this location such as pergola or gazebo will help hide the boundaries providing you don't position it in line with the boundary. I'm not sure whats beyond your plot but you could remove sections of the hedge to get long views out, they call it a borrowed landscape! I would create a strong geometric or series of strong shapes in the centre that don't relate to the boundaries or garage orientation so as to hide the boundaries. You could create a large sweeping pergola structure in the top NW corner of the garden with generous planting behind to take your eye away from the boundary. Lots of potential though, so have fun!

Ah Ribena, sorry to not update before! I think I am still a little traumatised :-) I gave the carpenter strict instructions to do the final room in a staggered format. He even laid out a couple of rows and I was certain he understood what I meant. Then to my horror I saw the job later when he had done 2/3 and the joins were in alignment again!!! Not every other row as before but every third. My heart sank and I had to get him to redo it the next day, and I am the one who has to foot this mistake! I wasted close to £160 for an extra day of labour. He has redone it although there are some pattern repeats right next to each other! He works for a friend of my family so it is awkward. I have covered over the joins in the other bedroom with rugs but I still dislike it. He said it would probably take him half a day to redo it so another £80. Really not sure which way to go Also after all that, I am not sure I like the laminate anyway which is really frustrating, wish I had the budget to have gone for engineered wood. I chose a smooth Quick Step (Impressive range so around £21 a sq m) in oak to try and match the look of real parquet I have in the hallway. Wish I had got a more pronounced grain now! Now wondering what style of rug can put down to soften it. Have a kingsize in there and wondering whether to put two separate rugs down side or one large one underneath? Sorry, you did ask!!!

I think having a subdivide part way down the length of the garden, as the trellis provides, is no bad thing as it adds to the illusion of space by not showing the entire length of the garden from the house and provides glimpsed views to something beyond, thus encouraging intrgue! I would as the others have suggested, relocate the shed to a less prominent area, perhaps at the very end of the garden so this paved area can become a more useable/ social space. If you want to work with the existing block paving then perhaps jet wash them and resand if necessary. Then bring in large planters, perhaps linear ones which you can plant up to help screen the blank wall, there are lots of choices in materials but metals or hardwoods are the best for durability and strength. Metal ones have the advantage of being less bulky and available in a range of colours. You could always add trellis to the wall or even a 'living wall' to help soften it. Think about subtle lighting too and the wall is a good platform for down lights to create an attractive ambience. I could see the area being used for casual seating, dining perhaps even a fire pit for evening use? Its lots of potential and benefits from south facing so certainly make the most of this under utilised area.