Our situation was a bit different but hopefully I can offer suggestions based on our situation. Local building code required steps onto the lawn from the house for an occupancy permit. They're concrete and we built over them with what you see in the link. Our specific concerns were safety while transporting items in/out of the house. And we had an elderly relative for whom stairs were dangerous. So, we built an Egress Porch (really a small deck) over the existing steps, level with the threshold. This provides secure footing while opening the door. Then we choose landing style steps for easily providing assistance to someone in need. If you were to consider a small deck it would provide the security at your door like I mentioned, leave the weep holes open and could still become the 1st step. Other steps could be pavers on concrete to match the patio. Hopefully your patio could be enlarged a few square feet to recover the space necessary for the steps. Hope this helps. Here is a link that might be useful: Our Egress Porch

Fortunoff Backyard Stores usually have some good sales on their outdoor furniture. We got an aluminum(?) set from them a few years ago. The store manager at the time, really helped us with our order, making sure we got the best possible price/offer. I think we got two extra chairs free (total of 6 chairs), Sunbrella fabric cushions included, and matching table umbrella (we paid the difference to get one with matching Sunbrella fabric).

Thanks Patricia! Any ideas on what kind of tall plants work best for outdoor privacy?

Perhaps a shade sail to extend the patio? Then you might be able to get a large potted plant to survive. Maybe a large planter under the laundry room (?) windows. Use more of the cedar as an accent/trellis. Like this, but styled more to match your other yard elements: https://images.homedepot-static.com/productImages/29272905-cb70-4fca-bdbf-21719a86848a/svn/teak-oil-dmc-plant-pots-70514-64_1000.jpg I do think the rest of your yard is amazing. (How did you get the artichokes to be so perfect?) But that's why the house side looks plain. Everything else looks too good.