For privacy you will need plants around the perimeter. It is completely overlooked. I don't understand the paving on the left of your pic. I would get rid of that as you have quite limited space to plant things anyway. It will also make it look bigger. There are many beautiful plants that love shade. I would think about tall plants first for privacy, and then infill. It would be good to see a plan of the whole space. How far from the house does the patio extend?

Thanks for commenting!. Yes privacy is a concern as back of my garden there town houses facing towards me, left side of me it’s fine as I’m on the end but right side couple house can see. The paving goes from the house to the back gate also I got a little alleyway for storage. It’s a north-facing garden. I was thinking of copying the left to put shingle next to the fence as I replaced couple gravel boards due to rotting.

Here’s additional pictures;

Trees like silver birch's would look beautiful and give you privacy. Plants like hydrangea annabelles (huge white flowers) and ferns love shade. Depending on where you are and the temperatures in winter you may be able to have huge leaved tropical plants as they screen your garden fantastically when mature. I would get a small soil test kit and then head to my nearest garden centre. Alternatively you could look for a local tree grower to help you choose the right tree. Look for sales and end of season reductions. Autumn is a great time to plant trees but you will have to water them. I would start with a few trees and/or large shrubs. Pittosporum is so easy to grow and they grow large quickly.

Thanks for the advice/tips. I have drawn quick layout;

I could copy the other gardens by what you suggested a tree at the bottom to block the townhouses then the gravel patio and zone off right bit for plants/shrubs. But not sure what to do for the middle cause I have blank bit

Thanks

Unusual layout but interesting. A tree or tall shrubs on the right would certainly add privacy. I would suggest some tall shrubs rather than trees simply because it’s a small area and tree roots may impact your neighbours property. I planted a wee little Silver Birch tree many moons ago which grew to 50ft or more and whose roots spread to my neighbours footpath and garage causing damage. We had to have it removed which was a very sad day. As the area is shady, good shrubs to grow are Fatsia japonica, Viburnum tinus and Photinia Red Robin. All fast growers, evergreen and can be trained into a tree shape by removing lower branches if you wish. Hydrangeas, Acers, Rhododendrons and Cornus also love shade. Gravel gardens can look lovely with soft planting, so things like lavender and Geraniums for the sunny areas or Ferns, Heuchera and Hostas for shade. If you do remove the lawn and use gravel, place edging to hold the gravel in place, something like wooden gravel boards as it does give a neater finish. Here’s a beautiful small garden which I think is gorgeous.

Thanks for the advice/tips. I put few shrubs/plants on the right for piracy. Left I’ll do the gravel patio but not sure on the right side like a small triangle as I’m doing zones.
When I first moved in I tried to rejuvenate the grass with weed killer and the weeds came back

I would consider returfing the grassed area as it's much nicer than a whole lot of hard landscaping. Better for nature too. This is assuming you have time to cut it and space to store a lawnmower. Sonia is right about shrubs having shallower roots than trees, good point. Head to a local garden centre and see if you can get some good advice about when and how to plant as well. That black fence would look fantastic with large leaved green plants against it.

I wouldn’t returf the grass, just trying to do it on a budget as just moved there but not going to live there long like 2 years so tarting it up. I have got a lawnmower. I go down a local nursery see what’s happening

Thanks

One option