Idea for dull inviting area in garden please

[Madmog]

We moved house three weeks ago and all of the garden is grass, block paving or gravel. In time we'll put some shrubs in, make a bigger patio area and have some pots out the front and in front of the kitchen window.

However, we have a bit at the side of the house which is north facing, looks very drab. It's about 8ft x 6ft and then there are double gates to the front. The kitchen looks over the part in front of this area so I'm planning to put lots of pots there to brighten that area up. Has anyone got any ideas how to brighten this area up. We will never sit there as it's dark, but want something there to make it more attractive when we're on the patio or just walking through to the front.

Light green or lime green or variegated foliage works well in darker spots as do white/orange/yellow flowers.
Try canna lilies with nicotiniana lime green, or try white petunias and orange dahlias with cosmos purity which flower all summer.

It could be a shady retreat from the sun? Dainty white seat, new guinea busy lizzies, paddling pool?

Lots of begonias?

Plus daphne and Christmas box and viburnum for shrubs and winter interest. Plus violas for spring and autumn.

Thanks for your replies. I will look into all of them and also like the idea of something for winter interest.

How about painting the fence, if there is fence in that area, to give it a lift?

There's actually a brick wall, which is our responsibility so can do what we like with it and I think that could work - thank you. Am looking into and trying to decide on other suggestions here re: plants as well.

Problem with variegated plants is that they lose the variegation if they are out of the sun.

Ivy should be ok in the shade and a large healthy ivy can look impressive. Mahonia is another ok in the shade.

You could rotate the tubs between the sunny side and the shade.