Oh, I must also mention that it is a rental property. So I am not looking to permanently change the garden, just decorate it.

Depends on certain things,such as aspect (north/south?), and is the rental going to be short or long term? What is in the garden already? What are the boundaries? Perhaps some ground level photos would be useful. Even simple changes need some commitment or you will have to use only pots ( I speak as a renter myself!)

Thanks for your reply nancyorford. Here are some ground level photos, sorry I don't have better ones at the moment. Aspect is south facing, very slightly to south-east - it can be seen in the lower right corner of one of the first set of photos for a more accurate representation
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It's a long term let.

We were also thinking of adding some fast growing fence crawlers and maybe even some high greenery to shield from the few windows that overlook the property (can be seen in the photos). On both sides the neighbouring houses are one-storey just like ours, so no worries there.

House is white with a brick trim at the bottom. White windows and patio doors.

We have a Weber Q (hope it's a helpful visual aid style-wise).
We have a small and very cute set (a round wooden table with two chairs) that we'd be happy to use in a nice green corner hopefully.

We're thinking lounging set instead of dining. Light (wicker?) rattan maybe, to go with the light yellow stone paving) What do you think?

Oh and in the lower right corner (south-east) that is a gate but we will most likely keep it locked and unused so that area is free to use too.

Hope it wasn't tldr :)

Thanks

Photos give a much better perspective of your garden. I am more of a gardener than a designer but hope any comments I make will be helpful.

Plot is wide rather than long, so group any interesting plants/features so that you look on the diagonal rather than towards the near boundary.

Remove the stepping stones (perhaps reuse for a storage shed base or another sitting area). Lawn will be easier to mow & no point having a path going nowhere!

Pressure hose the patio to renew & clear of any small weeds (you can get cheap tool to do job or old knife). Boring but will look smarter. Could even remove a few odd slabs to plant alpines/small herbs & make patio more green.

Try & identify shrubs to see what's worth keeping/pruning (you can get an app). Give a neat edge to grass with spade & define borders - make them as wide as you can (you can fill gaps with cheap annual seeds for now),looks more generous.

Privacy can be got several ways without mounding up the boundaries- a small tree set slightly into the garden so that the head will eventually be a sightline shield, or perhaps a pergola over sit/dine area.

Use a few bigger pots rather than lots of smaller ones, looks better & need less watering.

I’ve read Nancy’s suggestions with interest. That’s all really good advice. I’m not sufficiently competent myself to help you but I’ve been looking to sharpen up the area around my lawn, and have been considering creating wider, more defined borders with some low hedging and some planting for summer colour. I was inspired in part by the tv show Your Garden Made Perfect. It’s well worth a watch. Some of the plans are very grand and expensive, but there is a section devoted to smaller, cheaper projects, and you can use bits and pieces of the design ideas shown. Good luck, and have fun doing it!

Hi Angelina I had a good look at your photo's and read all the suggestions with great interest and all had very valid and greatideas. I would say because it is a rented property, there is still a few thing you could do to give it some kerb appeal. 1 The vistas from your windows plant some tall flowering shrubs and climbers along the wall. 2 Edge the grass and define the planting borders make them wider if you want. 3. Place pots on your patio and plant summer bedding . 4 Keep the lawn cut once a week in the summer. At least the pots and your favourite shrubs you can take with you, should you move on. You will be surprised with a little TLC can go along way on a small budget. Best of luck with it..