I could see doing something like French doors with opaque glass so the lite could come thru to the rest of the house. Also double French doors would allow you to open the area up completely whilst doing laundry. You could even leave everything where it is (dryer) and build some storage on the left side. I would image the sink would be very useful - I'd be lost without mine in the laundry room.

Sorry I am so late coming to your site - you are an inspiration to all, homeowners and advisers alike. For your planting advice, I suggest you call Merrifield Garden Center to see if they will come out your way. They currently have wonderful garden centers in Merrifield and Fairfax (both in Fairfax County) and a new one in Gainesville, but they may come further south to wherever you reside. (www.MerrifieldGardenCenter.com) Even if they don't send designers to your area, they are worth a trip to see their huge selection for a day of pleasure and inspiration, or to pick up some plants. Most of my clients are in the Fairfax and greater Washington area, but I am currently living out west below Front Royal, VA on the Shenandoah mountainside - wonderful views. cascio.offsite@gmail.com

I would clean up first. Especially the stuff growing in the paving. Then get gardening with pot plants and start experimenting with different plants and the positions. See what you like and if you can keep it alive! Our house has the sun setting over the back fence and we've done a few inexpensive things to reduce that issue (most expensive were outdoor blinds around the verandah) but for most of the year we just don't want to be out there. It is hard work to keep the plants going in summer, there is a lot of sand due to the difficulty in keeping lawn alive and it is just bloody hot. So, that's why I'm saying clean up, start gardening small and see how you go before committing to structures that might not address the real issues you have with the yard. Just my 2 cents! :)

It's definitely more centered than mine is! My house was built in 1945 when stoves were a lot bigger and that's why my range hood is bigger than my electric stove. Anyway, when you put up your floating shelves, you can either make the left size longer and the right side shorter. It will work that way unless you want symmetry. Then, I would suggest you make the shelves the same size and put them up in the same position on both sides of the range hood, just like a mirror image.