I would use plants to brighten the space. The hardscapes are all good, they just look a bit naked and grim. It can be hard to make a space pretty but usable for the kids too, but its not impossible. You have a lovely sitting area to enjoy. Plant some lovely feature bushes in that gravel area. You don't need to completely hide the clothesline, but having something pretty and showy in front will create a boundary and the eye will be drawn to the plants instead of the washing. If you can't plant into the soil there, some large size pots will work. Maybe some medium sized (1-2metre) ornamental trees in pots, like citrus, a weeping ornamental cherry, or bay trees, moptop robinias are nice too. They will be compact. You could cluster some pots of herbs underneath or plant them and let them ramble a little. Herbs like thyme and rosemary and lavender will suit the gravel area and the heat and be hardy with kids playing around, the odd bike falling on them or crushing underfoot would be quite okay. bulbs in pots or planted around the edges of the lawn are great value low maintenance and hardy colour. You can get great seasonal variation in your view then. Online bulb stores like tesselar and garden express sell bulk landscaping bulbs at very reasonable prices. You can get hundreds of bulbs for $30-50. Bulbs are great hardy plants that won't be killed by the odd soccer ball either. The flowers may get knocked over or the leaves, but the bulb is safe under the soil. Cheap and cheerfuls like nasturtiums are good value colour that will self seed every season. Also, plant some very bright flowering shrubs behind the soccer net and against the far wall. Maybe some hibiscus? You need something to catch and entice the eye, plant some large flowering shrubs with larger or bright flowers or foliage you will be able to appreciate from a distance.

I would grow one or two evergreens in pots so you have some winter interest and then, depending on how sunny your balcony is in summer, try some herbs as previously suggested and also tubs of edibles such as tomatoes and strawberries. Depends how much time you have to look after the plants. Things like pelargoniums are colourful and thrive on very little watering, but won't last through the winter.

I removed some old shrubs and now find I need instant screening- what ever-greens of ?about 5' high should I plant, fast growing, to give privacy immediately?

We recently removed large overgrown dying trees from our back garden. We are now looking to plant for privacy, ideally to cover all the lower windows of houses behind us, 4 metres minimum ( our garden is on a lower level ). We are currently looking at clumping bamboo - either Fargesia robusta or Fargesia murieliae 'Deep Forest'. We are also looking at evergreen trees as an option. Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated!