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

Planters along the porch with LOW pretty plants will frame your view without obstructing it. Is it buggy where you live? Because I'd spend my dough on screening in the porch. We live on a river and had a similar porch which my parents screened in when they bought the house. I inherited it and we live out there when the weather is good. All the stuff that decorates the porch was gleaned from other parts of the house, donations, cast offs, garage sales, etc. We also installed fans on the ceiling, makes a HUGE difference in ambience. If you like to grill out, maybe leave part open, but at least screen in an area for sitting and dining al fresco. As for further landscaping, maybe some gorgeous trees on either side of your view, to further frame it and give you a smidge of privacy. But screening in the deck will go a long way towards privacy too.

Beautiful. You might consider an awning over your patio door. https://www.ebay.com/itm/40-x-80-Door-Window-Canopy-Patio-Awning-DIY-Overhead-Door-Clear-Decorator-/192387040987 Especially like the materials you used for the steps and landing/patio as well as including the fountain/bird bath but do take care not to decorate to the point of adding clutter your space. Potted plants flanking your door could add a welcome vibe. You might add other plants and/or wind chimes with posts that can be mobile: a wide holiday tree stand can also hold a4"x4"x6' post for hanging brackets and solar lights to be put where you want them when you want them. Since you have multiple sections in the southern sun, you might consider which one you could add the shade of a pergola over it (or gazebo by it) without blocking the sunlight to the other sections (likely the western most area) and decide if a small pergola or gazebo would suit your plans for the use of the patio. While cushions could be stored out of the sun when not in use, as you choose your furnishings, so please remember that the southern sun will bleach/fade the color fabrics and even furnishings such as wicker whereas your black metal furnishings could easily be repainted as needed so you can avoid making decisions you might well regret. Even if you prefer new furnishings for your summer use of your patio, your metal furnishings could be repainted and set in another, perhaps shady, area of your yard with their legs on individual pavers with their tops at ground level. Your view from your patio will matter so consider what you can do to improve any areas you might prefer looked better even if it is only adding a green hedge visual around the edges of your yard. Pick shrubs that will look good year round. If you are in Zone 7, consider Aucuba or Camellia or the type of Abelia bushes that keep their leaves year round and provide color and/or blooms. Looking forward to your after pics.

Good plants already. Add another coat of brown stain to all the brown wood to freshen it up. Remove all the old decor items. Pressure wash the concrete. Bring out a card table and chairs to see how well a small table and chairs will fit. If you prefer lounging chairs instead, look up some sizes online, then use tape or cardboard boxes to mock up the sizes. You'll need space to walk around any furniture. If you have a patio or big box store near you, there will be end of summer sales to look at.