Alfresco fit out. What outdoor setting would you recommend?

We recently realised that our alfresco is a very small and awkward space. Mainly due to the middle opening sliding doors ... The alfresco faces south and is 3.3m x 5.5m (excluding the 1m concrete path around it). What sort of seating could we possibly fit in this space, so we can still comfortable use the sliding doors?

We've got four down lights, and a fan with a light in the middle. There will also be two outdoor speakers in the ceiling as well.

There is a TV antenna/provision in the corner above the ugly folding chairs. Not that we are in a hurry to buy an outdoor tv *rolls eyes* but the provision is there just in case we change our minds in the future.

We were thinking of putting a deck in the alfresco, but seeing that it's such a small space, would it make it look weird? Also, would we deck the path around the alfresco slab, or not?

The concrete is a funny colour because I hosed it down before taking the photos :)
The ceiling and eaves should be getting painted soon... Sigh

Don't you love our masking paper curtains?

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What colour to pain the alfresco bulkhead and garage gable?

What colour should we paint the alfresco bulkhead and the detached garage gable?

We are finally having the Blueboard rendered but are unsure of what colour to go with...

• Our windows and sliding doors are "white birch" which is a light cream colour.
• The fascia and the detached garage roller door are cream.
• The guttering is black.
• The brick mortar is off white.
• Our upstairs eaves are white birch so we will be painting the downstairs ones in the same colour.

 Should we match the bulkhead in the alfresco, and garage gable to the colour of fascia and roller door (cream) or the colour of eaves and windows and sliding doors (white birch)? Or neither?

Would love to hear your thoughts on this.

PS. Don't forget to enter my OPI nailpolish giveaway. Entries close this Sunday.

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