Thank you @pottsy99 for your detailed response.

I will definitely paint the fence charcoal as you've recommended, which should keep me going until the end of the year, given the few sunny weekends we might get over the next couple of months. For this year I might focus on the fence and possibly doing something to Area 1 since its the entrance.

Which area are you referring, to dig up all the stones and grass?

Would you have any additional ideas to improve Area 1?

I was talking about digging up the stones on Area 1 , and grassing it -- I didn't mean dig up any grass sorry .

Agree with pottsy on painting all your fences charcoal or black,
Area 1 .....instead of removing gravel path, weed and rake to give it a new life, put a seat or plant trees or garden bed opposite entrance, remove pelargoniums and place some large planters where red pelargoniums are to highlight entrance, by rejuvenating the gravel path it could save lots of $ to spend elsewhere and gravel paths can be very stylish.

Area 2.... do the same by rejuvenating the gravel, you may need to spray a path weeder product (available at Bunnings) as this looks a bit overgrown, once weeds have died rake over to restore the gravel area, paint your alfresco charcoal, add some colourful accessories to make a comfortable outdoor area, update the herb garden, pot up herbs for a great look or just keep it as a place to grow plants, update the fountain or relocate into the garden.

Area 3..... doesn’t look too bad, as pottsy said pavers are a little small but if you feel comfortable with the spacing that’s fine, once fence is painted and a general tidy it should look fine, you could add a seat or planters along the house side for interest but sometimes less is more.

Area 4.... remove lattice from fence, once fence and gate painted black or charcoal it will look great, you could paint steps also, as this is a utility area just a general tidy up is fine, add a lovely mat and a planter or planters on the steps and that’s it. If you wanted a little bit of privacy add a screen bolted to landing so this can be viewed from door.

Thank you @Julie Herbert for your detailed responses with pictures! Love them

Thx for a very informative thread and perfect solutions, pals! But how to care for lawns like these ones? What about equipment(blowers, trimmers, leaf rakes?) I mean that on the one hand, it's great then you can realize some ideas about garden/lawn/backyard, but on the other hand, to keep it all in order is hard and constant work

You will need a wire rake that you can gently rake into he stones to keep them looking neat, a whipper snipper to keep edges tidy, a small mower for grass but your greatest must have is a Ryobi blower that will tidy everything up in a flash, best thing I ever bought. Check out the battery operated Ryobi range at Bunnings these are terrific.