[This Houzz article might have some ideas for you. [(https://www.houzz.com/magazine/10-great-design-moves-for-a-small-courtyard-stsetivw-vs~50079356)

I would have getting the A/C unit moved the first priority. And, even if it can’t be moved, a deck would be the most logical and practical solution because you are going to have to have stairs at some position, and putting them out at the end of the decking, as shown in the link kiko posted, would be the best solution. If you had a patio, your required stairs from the french door exit would take up most of the eligible patio space. The ground space for a patio would be miniscule. If you have a deck, you have all that open area before the A/C unit, (if it can’t be moved), to work with, before you have to do the stairs. It would be a great place for an outdoor table, or a couple of comfortable deck chairs.

Given your eventual view I am not sure what your goal is. I think the first thing off the list would be anything with stairs. A staircase would eat up most of your square footage. I could envision a small cooking deck, that would hold a grill. Most of those do not have exterior stairs. If the AC unit is not moved I don't see you having room for anything but a cooking deck. I would always choose a patio over a deck, but I do not see where you have room given the stairs a patio would demand. The example kiko posted appears very intense for heat. If you put a fence up at the property line you will have a very enclosed "secret" outside escape. I see many homes with decks that can only be accessed from inside the house.

I'd do a deck but with no stairs. Is there some practical reason you'd want or need stairs up to the deck, as an entry or something?

I'd move the AC compressor, build an enclosed deck, and plant some privacy evergreens at the end of the deck.

Hi thanks everyone for the comments. No I dont see the need for the stairs either. I love the idea of an enclosed deck since I have a toddler. The design with the stairs was just recommended by our deck guy in one his quotes.

Thanks kiko for the links, it does give me a better idea.

@arcy_gw...yes I do like the idea of an enclosed deck with entry from inside only.

@4Heideisgn...I agree the stairs takes up too much space if I go with a patio and then the usable space is used up by the stairs and the AC unit if I cant get it moved. But if I can get it moved then I get more space since I can go all the way upto the property line with a fence and/or patio.

So the options I am considering are:

1) Enclosed deck with no stairs

2) Fence with enclosed patio with stairs coming down from the doors.

I will get back to you guys on this, once the HOA approval or non-approval comes through,

thanks,

Cooks.

I am a patio person through and through. I had a narrow row house close neighbor situation, and I tore off a deck to put in a patio. BUT, having said that, if you want to access the space from those double doors or windows or whatever they are, I concur with everyone else, the stairs will eat up your already tiny space. I'd do a deck and then put some tall, narrow shrubs or trees in the space between me and my neighbors, so that when I looked out, I'd see green. There are tall juniper or arborvitae shrubs that will fit your bill, or even skinny holly trees or deciduous trees if you're so inclined. Look for ones with "columnar" growth patterns. I think Kiko posted a perfect solution to your problem.

We had a deck on our old house, and we have a deck on the house that we just moved to as well. They are A LOT of work. They need to be washed down and restained every 2-4 years. Critters (like bunnies and voles) dig underneath them and produce offspring. Splinters eventually attack little feet. I would much, much prefer a patio. I have added it to the mile-long list of improvements that I would eventually like to make to this home. In your case however, you would need stairs, and they will eat up a good chunk of your space, so that is a consideration not to be taken lightly.