How about putting the chest of drawers under the window so it is visible when you first walk into the room. Then put the desk where the chest of drawers is currently. I would then get a large storage TV unit for the end wall where the dark furniture is. This would be best in white or taupe to keep it light in that end of the room. You could even get this made in the same units as the kitchen cupboards. I would buy new 3 seater sofas in a traditional or classic style to suit the antiques in a beige colour linen and then two armchairs in a patterned material - floral or stripe to suit your personal taste. I would keep the sofas in the same position and place the two armchairs facing the TV unit, side by side. You would need to make sure the armchairs were placed so they were easy to walk around and they would need to be small but comfortable. Keep the table where it is and update the lamp to a more statement piece. An orchid (fake or real) on the chest of drawers would add a touch of class. I quite like the rug that is there as it goes nicely with the antiques and you could bring out the blues with a few duck egg blue coloured cushions, and a duck egg blue roman blind would soften the window. Just some ideas.... I'd love to see photos when you've finished, it's a lovely space!

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!

I'd have the eyelids at around 6ft / 6ft 6". Just a word to the wise, i've been called out to change bulbs in outdoor lights that have turned out to be not possible as they are sealed units. ( unbelievable ). Some of the cheaper ones on the market are now apparently disposable! You can get up and down lighters, our neighbours have them. I personally dislike them, as they shine straight up in to the sky, which we find really irritating, and as you say you wanted subtle, ( much nicer ). We've had to buy blackout blinds and curtains for one of the bedrooms because their lights are so bright! These anodised Mahogany adjustable down lighters would look lovely with your deck:- exterior lights uk

Hi Kanye, Here are your design challenges: 1. The decking area has a variety of colour - red brick garage, pale deck, wood fence. 2. The fence isn't straight, but slopes to different levels. 3. The area is very open, which isn't conducive to spending time in. People typically prefer to have some sense of enclosure in outside dining/seating areas. 4. The garden itself is plain lawn, sloping up to the patio area. This area has become a focal point, so needs to be both inviting and offer interest. In other words, you want to be intrigued to get from your house to this area. Design solutions: Without knowing a full brief, this is educated guesswork, but you may consider: 1. Adding a perception of depth by surrounding the sides and rear of the space with a hedge, climbers and trees. Pleached is design classic. Look at trees around your property for clues. Privet is thirsty, so you may consider hornbeam/yew hedge, clematis/ivy and repeat hornbeam pleached or fruit trees. Bring hedge/pleached trees around the front of the deck, to create an opening entrance to the deck. 2. You might consider adding a pergola over a proposed dining area. 3. Consider extending this hedging/tree pattern in the rest of the garden. Why not create an orchard area with path moving through it taking you to the deck. . Also plant beds etc... Kit