Thanks for your reply. Not sure which wall you are referring to? We can't block the bedroom that is next to the front door and we don't want people walking directly into the lounge. We also want the deck to be private. Do you mean to have the gate and doorbell outside in the open?

I like @kelly's idea of picking a lovely fresh color of paint for the door. You can then bring it down onto the stair risers. Either a solid color to match the front door, or go wild and add some decorative elements to the risers with stencils. Or think of staining the door a great color and coordinate the stair railings and risers. I have an idea book put together for just such project that might spark some ideas for you. http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/16700983/thumbs/Kathryn-Delany-s-Decorative-Stair-Risers

The front door is around the other side by the way! The windows are aluminium so cannot be changed. It is all rather ugly at the moment.

What color is the inside of your door currently? White? We painted the inside of our front door a dark color (black) and I LOVE how it is a bold statement and makes the trim around it pop! Do it!!!!