Thats a really good question!
For myself, I want privacy, I want somewhere to be able to sit out and read if I want. With the planting, I have shrubs and perennials and I don't want too much work from them, I just want steady growth so I can keep them pruned, some colours, some pleasing shapes ... from the grass, I want open-ness and not growing too fast - and what I do cut, I want it to be seed-free so I can put it in the compost bin! I want some crops - fruit, veg, salads and herbs. And I want plenty of shelter and food for birds and insects, whether they live in my garden or just visit. And from my front garden, I want enough slugs and whatnot for the frog I discovered living in the heather out there!