Did you take this picture right after a rain or does the concrete slab not drain well? What is your budget? Did you just want to do minor cosmetic changes or are you up for replacing the concrete?

Hey ! Thanks for the quick response. Yes, it just rained, and the concrete slab does not drain well. Usually a small puddle of water is creates… I am up for replacing the concrete (it’s much needed)

You need some gardens. I'd put in a tree, for starters. A small, beautiful, flowering tree if you don't need shade, something bigger and beautiful if you do (tulip tree or Kentucky Yellowwood). ]

Then, I'd design some gardens to look at. If you're not a gardener, get a mix of flowering shrubs that flower at different times. Add a bird feeder.

Replace that concrete with a pavered patio.

Patios are often unusable because they are simply too hot. General info on trees for shade: Whether patio, house, deck, etc, the first place to place trees is to the west/southwest for shade from the hottest sun of the summer. Large trees at a distance, if possible, small trees close in. Next site for shade is to the east/southeast to get shade from morning sun.

Patios are often unusable because they are simply too hot.

I have a huge patio and we use it all the time @laceyvail 6A, WV

Glad you can use it, shirlpp. Is there a question here?

Dig Doug has posted a simple, well-designed solution. I like it.

I might add another SMALL ornamental tree near the patio to add more shade - wherever the sun shines in the strongest. What direction are we facing as we look at the back of your house?

@dig Doug — i love it!!! Wow, thank you 💙💙💙

If you are willing to lose the existing concrete patio then you pretty much have a blank slate to work with. Someone mentioned that deck tend to be used less because they become so hot in full sunlight. I agree with this assessment. So, might suggest a porch instead and maybe even a screened porch to protect from insects.

I do not like the color of siding with the brick and I think we need to know what direction that patio faces . I do not think dougs idea goes far enough for landscaping. Please lose that canopy thing on the right .

My skills are limited to cutting and pasting so imagine the landscaping above with the patio below.

What do you mean when you say the house “sits downhill”? Does the backyard slope down towards the house? And if so, is drainage around the house in general an issue?

Pd, drainage is not an issue because there’s an easement towards the back of the yard to prevent flooding

@er612, that looks wonderful!! Thank you for the ideas! I do love having that second area