Hi, I understand your frustration at your neighbours miss matching fence. Being the sunniest part of the garden it only accentuates the fault with a spot light. You could add some horizontal trellis to the upper part or if your budget can stretch do the whole fence. Painted soft wood can be a really economical solution and give a great effect.Your square patch of grass is only adding to the limitations of your garden. its drawing attention to the four corners and not creating an mystery. Having a curve to your grass will lead the eye away and create the illusion of more space.I would suggest building a curved seating area on your south side in the L shape by your shed. Railway sleepers positioned vertically with a chamfered top edge create a dramatic feature and are a really cost effect solution to screening. I would mask the end of your garden with these positioned across the whole width with an entrance to the right ( North side) The sleepers would then decrease in height as they curve round masking your shed and forming a built in seating area. They can also be stained adding to the dramatic effect. Black can look great if balanced well with bold planting. You are very fortunate to have a lovely hedge on your right, it could look fantastic. Good luck with your project!

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Thank you all. Things have been hectic & the old patio has been demolished so no really good pictures. This one is similar but I have decided to go with an inset flower bed along the front (south) edge & steps across the two corners. However the sides are causing difficulty as near the house the floor level is at the threshold but as the ground drops way towards the south & it is about 90cm off the grass at the front...Sides therefore need ‘something’ to stop someone falling off! Railings would look odd I think so perhaps I will have to resort to pots?

That’s better! I can see most of the garden now. I’m no designer but the two levels of the garden are actually not too differing in height, if you lifted all the paving you are almost at the same level, which is good. Are you going to use a landscaper? They will easily dig out, and level the ground for you. There are so many different types of paving you can use. Indian Sandstone is very popular and you can choose a riven rustic finish for a country look, or sawn Sandstone which is flatter and has a more modern look. Or there is outdoor grade porcelain which gives a modern vibe. They come is different shades of grey or buff. Some people use clay pavers which create a cottage look. A good landscaper will ensure the patio slopes very gently away from the house. I have a drainage grill near my house, but you could just fill that same gap near the house with gravel. Below is the grill on my patio and then some pictures of different paving. I have both porcelain and sandstone in different parts of the garden. MY PORCELAIN PATIO WITH GRILL RIVEN SANDSTONE SAWN SANDSTONE PORCELAIN.