The above is excellent advice!! Too often I have clients that focus in on what is rather than what could be. They have the notion that what is currently in place - a garden shed, an aging patio, a big tree, the AC pump - has to remain and must be worked around. It doesn't - anything can be changed/removed and in doing so, it opens up many more opportunities to create something they really want or will find useful and attractive. It's easy to think about making major changes in the flow or floor plan and remodeling of the interior of the house but many have difficulties grasping those same 'remodeling' visions to the exterior of their property. Or that there is value in doing so and worth the investment. Frankly, that's often why they hire a designer...........or post on this forum :-) Often the completely objective views of an outsider, someone with no personal attachment to the situation, can help them see beyond what is to what could be. There may be a cost associated with the removal of these 'vision impediments' and sometimes that cost can be hefty but I encourage them to try to see the value of the cost investment, just as they did when reworking the interior aspects. Often I will ask new clients to describe to me their "lottery landscape" - what they would want if money was no object. And then we get to the nitty-gritty of budgets and practicalities and attempt to come up with a compromise that will incorporate the best/most important features of the lottery landscape with a real landscape plan that will accommodate the budget. And that often involves the removal of fixtures they had assumed had to be permanent. It is also important to remember that outside of HGTV shows, a revised or recreated landscape is an evolving entity. Rather than looking at it as a fait accompli or an all-at-once finished deal, this is something that can be completed over time as energy and budget allows. Just don't allow what's there now overly influence how you move forward. Anything can be changed :-))

It sounds like the area is a bit distant from the areas where people usually would be. I think it's best use might not be as a place to go, but simply for the development of an enhanced view. If you wanted it to go in that direction, you'd need to show it as part of a single, broad panoramic view so we could see how it appears from the area where it would most likely be seen. To do that, don't use the panoramic function of the camera as the resulting image would be too small. Instead, stand that the location where the view is the most important and capture a series of slightly overlapping, consecutive pictures that span the entire area from far left to far right, including the pool and patio (so we can see how everything fits together.)

These pictures are not much helpful. What you need to do is stand in backyard facing your house. Line up with the center of the scene (which is probably the center of the house. Be far enough from the house that you can show the entire area of the proposed patio and surroundings, with the first floor and roof of the house in the background. If you see a lot of sky you are too far back. While at that position, take a series of slightly overlapping pictures (roughly about 3) that pan from far left to far right (we'll see your neighbor's houses in the background.) Don't substitute a computer generated panorama. Don't move camera location between shots ... only pivot.

so you want a deck that allows space to the window wells. (I don't know what code is for that in your state, so you'd have to check). These show ideas for decks that still allow light and egress from the window. I would advise you to do a composite decking. real wood may be cheaper, but it will need constant protection from weather and UV rays, which means painting or staining every year or two. along w/these decks, an arbor or patio cover would also be nice. and you could combine the decking material w/a hardscape depending on if you're building right on the dirt, or you want the deck up off the ground. combo of both would be nice be prepared to spend a good sum. getting all of this built isn't cheap. what you need is a patio/landscape designer to come out to your house and draw up something for you. I don't know what the big deal is worrying about the virus. everyone will be outside and has plenty of room.