Great ideas from oklouise , you could also add decorative screens to hide your utility shed, you can make a frame and attach them, Bunnings sell them but look online at Ebay and your choice is better and they are much cheaper, could really make a lovely feature in your garden.

Can u post a plan with dimensions and north point. When u say it is hot is that the courtyard or lean-to area? What do you want to use the space for?

Organise your possessions. Throw out or donate what you no longer need or want. This will cost nothing to do. Take up lawn area that is not growing. This costs nothing to do. Replace with gravel, or stones, as per other suggestion. Or put in a garden bed, in that area with a straight path where you naturally seem to walk.
Get a screen to hide bins. Or a complete screen across shed, as per other suggestions.

Thanks all for your comments, the screens are a nice idea.

The lean-to was cleared out yesterday - that was the easy part!

North is almost directly behind the structure, and I meant that the courtyard itself bakes (no doubt why the clothesline is there).

We had been toying with something like those steppers above, but crushed granite could work too. I’ve not had it in any of my gardens, does it absorb and retain heat like concrete?

And dreamer, can you lead me to the source of that photo please? I can’t track it down.

The photo was on the home page of houzz. But I can't seem to locate again either.

chippy’s outdoors in Melbourne has screens.
Foliage and shade will help reduce heat. Hard paving is the worst option. Any paving treatment that allows drainage, so not compacted granite, will allow moisture to reduce heat. Tufted grasses and plants.