Hello, Well when we extended into our garden, we had about 10' left - of which 3'4 was taken up with sheds running along the back wall. We decked the whole remaining space and added fake full size mirrors onto the facing sheds to make the garden look bigger. Have you got a photo of yours? What look do u want? Ie contemporary, country, etc

I wouldn't paint the fencing white - if its a sun trap I think it will bounce the light and be so so blindingly bright! - it also shows all the dirt - we have a white picket fence and it needs repainting so often =( I would be temped to paint the fencing a green or grey colour and cover with trellis and pretty climbers. Or I've seen lovely wood fencing which silvers over time - it would be a bit softer than brilliant white. Re slabs - Look on ebay - we have had lovely slate slabs off their before. =D or reclamation yards. You could have a paved sitting area AND pebbled area with plants. Do you want any height to the plants to add privacy or a bit of shade? I think I'd be tempted to have a tree in a HUGE pot or some bamboo

Sven, I was literally just returning to this thread for the same comment. Elsewhere on gardening forums I noticed that strong absolute barriers create 'eddies' or fastening twisted wind and so It would need to somehow dissipate/difuse the wind, or as you say two gates or barriers. (Thanks Sven)

You’ve done a great job! Although I hope there’s a plan to sort out the rickety steps (they look a bit of a death trap). I kinda like the denuded trees and agree with keeping them for privacy. For planting underneath you’ll need plants for dry shade as the trees will suck up a lot of moisture, some good suggestions on these sites: https://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/20-plants-for-dry-shade/ https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=430 I’d perhaps go for a mixture of ferns, foxgloves, primulas, a creeping ground cover and pop a few spring flowering bulbs underneath. Stonecrop (lots of variations) is another plant that should cope well with little or no attention. Hope this helps a little.