So yeah gonna get back into Skyrim and am looking for mods to enhance the experience, I am not so much interested in mods that alter the current balance such as tougher dragons, survival mods or mods that alter already existing content like the alternate start mods, I more looking for mods that add new features and enhance what is already there like graphic enhancers, extended options for character creation, new weapons, armours and quests, that sort of thing.

Also wondering if it is better to use the Steam Workshop or the Nexus, I want to download Midas Magic but looking at the steam workshop version it doesnt look like the author actually uploads newer versions on steam, so would it be best to go with the nexus to get the most up to date versions?

A copy/paste list of some of the mods I'm using.
Yes I know you said you weren't interested in some of these, but I'll list those anyway for others. :3

Warning however; this is for patch 1.5, I do not know how many works with 1.6.
I personally avoid steam, you have very little control over the actual mods.

http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=19 - Mandatory
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=12110 -(http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=15776)
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=3829 - Mandatory
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=13423 - Use compatibility patch for Deadly Dragons.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=11206 - Powerful dragon bosses when used with Deadly Dragons.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=12479 - Random encounters/events. http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=15972 Both these are currently compatible.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=9694 - Quite amazing. If being lore friendly is important to you, look http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/16411.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=7654
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=9621 - Good when used with live another life.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=9557 - especially good if you're tired of the lengthy intro.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=5485-(http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=2700)
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=3222 - Very immersive, personally love the option of removing enemy health bars.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=3863 - Mandatory
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=4862 - Handy if you have a lot to keep track of.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=601
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=2762 - With the harder settings you will not be swimming in money as fast.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=17232 - My favourite ENB, it looks amazing. (And I normally do not like vibrant colours.)
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/16919, http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/17275, http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/18544 - Why not use it with the above?
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=12892
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=10902
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=12092
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=13486
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=12140 Using the Skills starts at zero and stats starts at 50 plugins.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=11501 - I personally feel like you level extremely fast in vanilla.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=11481 - Using the alchemy part only.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=4412 - Potion wait time set to 9000 to work perfectly with the above mod. http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/18027 if you do not want to use script dragon.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=11135
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=12798 - Lovely.
Killable Children - Obviously mandatory. :3 You know, for when you need to burn down the orphanage in self defence.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=12785 - Some villagers take cover inside houses now instead of trying to fist fight dragons. Except blacksmiths, they simply don't give a [censored]. I guess the deadline for making that new sword is more important.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=15833 - if you think homes are too cheap.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/13008 - You might need a new game before the dialogue changes to the correct values, but the cost will increase either way.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=1269 - Would not play without this one. http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/18436 is a must as well.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=8222 - NPC won't stop searching for you after just a few seconds.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=4929
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=15501 - To add some more life to the roads of skyrim
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=8228 - Same as above.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=13529 To save some Vram if you're maxing out on large textures.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=10906 More kill moves.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=13268
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=10175
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=10394
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=3084 - Can save you from save game bloat.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=1175 - caps increased from 100 to 300. Capped my sneak at 50 to avoid this from being overpowered. You can also set how fast individual skills level up.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=11941 - For archers.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=17605 - I use the vanilla, increased radius option
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=16438 - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/17879 for balancing.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=9857 - For a less player centric world
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=5898 - 271 new spells. Then there is http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=16225 but I've not tried it myself.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=14559 - If you use soul trap a lot.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=15225
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=8078
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=10843 - Basic survival mod. There are more advanced mods available, but this one was just right for me.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=12977
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=14037 - For the rare times I use followers.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=4020 - For the times when a follower decides you deserve house arrest by blocking the door.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=11609 - As much as they deserve getting hit by traps for all they put me through, I'm somehow always the one ending up getting hit.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=51 - I love the hellish moon. http://i.imgur.com/b7hPm.jpg combined with Enchanced Night sky, High star version. (Mentioned in STEP) (http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/15129)
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/14692
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/10277 - Makes both you and NPCs happy, with more variation.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/15506
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/1702 - Perfect with the above mod.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=14125
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/12510 - Ever miss collecting souls of NPCs and keeping them on shelves like in morrowind?
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/12575
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/10753



http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=11 - A comprehensive guide to some of the best graphic mods available. I use the majority of them.

You'll need to use http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=1840 to merge the mods which edits the same level lists for maximum compatibility. (For example several weapon mods which adds them to mobs)
Delete the bashed patch which comes with the program and generate a new one: File - File - New bashed patch.

And don't forget http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=6

As easy as it is installing with NMM, it is recommended to either use WB when possible or manual install for best stability.
Also, do NOT add a ton of mods with lots of scripts at once without making a save in between and some play testing. Add 2-3 mods, go ingame, play for a minute then make a save. You'll avoid a lot of issues this way.

When uninstalling a mod, be sure to remove ALL files it added, not just the esp file. Especially important if the mod had script files.