Ozbern: we had a similar dilemma, lovely backyard and then they started tearing down bungalows and building four story townhouses all around us. I built a single depth pergola along the back property line, the beauty of this is not only the privacy, but it brings the scale of the yard down to make it feel more intimate when we are outside. We also added a 10' x 10' (little over three meters) pergola right up against the house where we had a wall of windows. Will try to find that photo too. We have coral vine now growing in it. Dies in winter, comes back in spring. You can always do more contemporary details if this is too casual.

Thanks for the extra pics. Still thinking along the same line. Trim the bushes by the sidewalk to make the sidewalk more visible and accessible. If you can, replace the package with new door with clear glass or no glass and new sidelights or none. Put in a courtyard that comes out to the white wall with whatever works for you. Pavers, pavers and gravel, low decking, concrete, tile, brick. Anything. Add bench , chairs , mini trees in pots flowers. Make it welcoming. Could even add a trellis over the area. Deck could be made smaller and planting beds put in under Windows for small shrubs or flowers. Grass in the area between the ac unit and the driveway. Add a walk way from drive to the deck in material that works withe the rest. I would add pictures but don't know how.

Additional photos

Hi there We recently built a house and for various reasons, we had to have the front door on the side of the property, rather than at the front. Now that it's built, we have ended up with a lot less space on the side for planting than expected and it's just a driveway. The door that's at the front is actually the laundry and so we have fenced it off (we also have a small dog who needs lawn). We have planted a couple of climbers to go up the trellis to cover the laundry door, and have planted a specimen tree (Michaelia Gracipes) which will have lovely flowers, plus the hedging at the front and we had planned to put reeds in containers up the driveway against the house, but I'm at a loss what to do with; a) the front garden as it just looks too empty and b) how to improve the street appeal and encourage visitors to come up the side, to the front door. The front house owns the drive, so we can do anything we like, but must allow vehicle access to the rear. Any suggestions (except renovating the house!) are welcome. TIA