The beginning part of landscaping/gardening always looks like either a construction zone or a demolition site XD
When you plan out the sitting area leave some room for your planter boxes and things and when she fails to use the sitting area more than once a year just chuck some in there and see if she notices XP Or say you're putting them in for shade or privacy screening or something.
It's on the path to looking like a nice space :)
I like your thinking.
I might put in a people counter that records date of usage ;D