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Choosing plants that are suited to your growing zone and planting conditions will help you with success in this new landscape project.

This link will help you determine your growing zone.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/planting-zones/

There are many shade loving shrubs that will do well in a North planting location, though I do feel the biggest issue you may have is your clay soil conditions.
Most plants and shrubs prefer a loamy soil that drains well.
You may need to start your project with some work to your planting area and amending the clay soil to ensure your new plants will thrive.
Here are some links with more information.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/shgen/shade-loving-shrubs.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/how-to-improve-clay-soil.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/organic/how-to-easily-improve-your-clay-soil.htm
I would also suggest you visit local garden centers to see plants that are available to your specific region.
You can also receive a list of plant suggestions from your local County Extension Office.
This link will help you locate the office nearest to you.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/extension-search/

These articles will give you some ideas:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/planting-garden-beneath-trees.htm
http://extension.unh.edu/articles/We-can%E2%80%99t-seem-get-grass-grow-under-oak-tree-our-yard-Any-suggestions
http://lancaster.unl.edu/hort/articles/2011/PlantingUnderTree.shtml

There are plenty to choose from. Some examples of low growing ground covers are Alyssum, ornamental Oxalis, Lamium species, and herbs like thyme. Here are some more ideas:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/xeriscape/drought-tolerant-ground-covers.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/shade/ground-covers-for-shade.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/alyssum/growing-sweet-alyssum.htm

Since you mention this is the west side of the house, the plants will receive either full shade or partial shade. If there is a convenient way to place a trellis or strings there, you could plant some vines that don't require full sun. Or you could plant herbs since many don't require full sun. There are also some flowers to consider.

Here are some ideas. Choose the smaller plants from the following articles and they should do fine.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/what-is-full-shade.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/partial-shade.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/vines/ovgen/growing-perennial-vines.htm

Eucalyptus risdonii looks like it would be a beautiful option- it doesn't grow densely on its own but I believe it can be pruned so that it will grow densely. You can ask for advice on how to do this at the nursery where you purchase it.

I'm not sure about any others with blue-grey foliage, but Alyxia ruscifolia (Chain Fruit) is a small and attractive shrub that might be an option. Carissa ovata (Kunkerberry) or an Australian variety of Hibiscus might work well.

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As an apartment-dweller there's no reason you can't enjoy a wide variety of bug-free houseplants. The bugs take up residence in the soil, so the type of plant has little to no bearing on whether or not the bugs (gnats, for the most part) show up and in fact there really aren't any "pest-resistant" houseplants.

These articles may help you keep the bugs away and give you some ideas on low-maintenance yet beautiful plants for your apartment:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/fungus-gnats.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/hpgen/determining-the-best-plants-for-your-indoor-containers.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/hpgen/good-indoor-plants-with-flowers-for-low-light.htm