What is the elevation? I see SHADE NEEDED when I look at this picture. A pergola?

I would be tempted to pour a lot of cement to make a wide gradual, stair down to what is rock. The rock I would replace with more pavers.

Yes Arcy, desperately need shade!!! Would love a pergola but it would have to be a temporary one and worried it would look junky or be too flimsy. Do you mean how high is the door? Thank you!

How about this solar lighted umbrella at hayneedle

Be careful about those cool looking tent things, one good windstorm can mangle them, it happened to my neighbor. I would recommend two large patio umbrellas, which is what I did until I had a chance to get some shade plants planted by my patio. One to cover your grill and one end of your picnic table, and one for the other end of the picnic table. You can keep the umbrellas down if you're not using them and it helps them not to blow around in windy situations. That said, don't forget to put them down, and get big heavy ones, because light ones can blow right out of their moorings. Ask me how I know! You can string little lights along the umbrella edge. You could even drill a hole in the middle of your picnic table and put an umbrella up over the whole table. My neighbor on the other side had a set up like that, although he rarely used the umbrella so took it out eventually.

Tiki torches with citronella oil for around the edge of the area to keep bugs at bay. Some colorful pots with bright colored flowers, big ones like geraniums and even hibiscus. Enjoy.

Eventually you're going to want a deck with an awning, or even a screened in porch.

Pink mountain, would like to see a photo of your shade plants if you have one? I know what you mean about the tent things, I've been looking at those and most look like they would blow away pretty easily. Screened in porch is my dream!

Starnold, that umbrella looks like a good possibility, thank you. A couple of those could work.

My yard was oh so much smaller than yours. You'd have to get much bigger trees. Two you might look into are Autumn Blaze red maple (my friend had that outside her patio and loved it) and a golden honey locust called "Sunburst." Honey locust is a popular patio tree because it has tiny leaves that don't collect in big piles on the lawn. Both are relatively fast growing.

I had a tiny situation so I planted a Japanese red maple called "Fireglow" that died, and then something called "Musclewood" on the other side of the patio. I also had a flowering crab that got a fungus so I had to cut it down, and a Japanese Silverbell tree which was gorgeous when in bloom but a total bore the rest of the year, so I cut that one down too.

I used to have my other umbrella on the other side of the patio where that big blue thing is, but we got into saving firewood and having campfires, and hardly sat out there in the daytime, so that umbrella is gone in this photo. I used to have two of the four patio chairs on that side.

My beautiful maple tree right before it died, and the fountain before it got plumbed.

Here's the musclewood in the fall. It is too small to cast shade over a patio as large as yours though.

Plant a Sunburst golden honey locust right where your brick patio and stone area meet. Five years and you'll have some great shade. Then Autumn blaze on the other side, it's a stunner in the fall. Unless you live out west?

Just to give you an idea of how fast a patio area can be transformed, here's a shot five years prior. You can't even see the musclewood tree it is so skinny. But you can barely make out the silverbell that I cut down.

Pink mountain,I can't believe your before and after pictures. What a gorgeous space. I'm not sure why it hasn't occurred to me to plant trees for shade. The maple and the muscle wood are beautiful. I'm also inspired by the idea of collecting firewood, my sons are the perfect age for some summer campfires! Thanks so much for taking the time to post your photos. I'm in PA.

That's where I used to live and where these photos were taken--Allentown. We got a little metal fire pit and then SO's son made us a firewood rack. We started picking up firewood on our nightly walks and SO was given a lot on house jobs he did. When I moved I gave a whole station wagon load of it to a friend! I sure miss my little patio. I'm in the midst of recreating a different space here in MI where I live now. Umbrellas give shade until the trees grow up.

Oooh, that's adorable tanna, thank you. I am pretty sure I will go with umbrellas for now and getting trees planted. The poles in concrete might be just what I need for lighting. And more importantly, here is our six month old golden doodle Dakota. She's such a sweetheart and our first pet, she brings so much craziness and laughs to our home!

I'm having the same problem. At the moment, my flagstone is a blank slate. I'm planning to use large freestanding lanerns w/battery operated candles. Because yours is square, I would use a large potted plant in the 2 corners closest to the backyard, and 3 large(though smaller than the potted plants)lanterns in between. If wind is a problem, use rocks/pieces of brick to stabilize the lanterns. Whatever I use i'll put inside the lantern, surrounding the candle.

Patty, outdoor lanterns have always been on my wish list, please let me know if you find a good source. Also, I usually have trouble with finding battery operated candles that are bright enough. Coincidentally I found some good inspiration pictures in catalogs that arrived today from Frontgate and Grandin Road. Here's my favorite. Would something like this work for your area?

If you have an At Home, formerly Garden Ridge, i've found them to be reasonably priced, not Pier One priced! I'm planning to use 6 rather large ones and don't want to spend a fortune. ;)

pink mountain - I had no luck finding a golden honey locust at my local nurseries, but my husband finally picked one up for me today from Lowe's. It's a pretty decent size for $80, will post a photo for you once we get it planted!

My DMIL has a home where the back gets a lot of intense sun. They have retractable patio awnings that were custom made. I thought they would look tacky especially since DMIL is the cleanest and pickiest person I've ever met. When they were installed I was shocked at how lovely they look. Since they are retractable it is easy to close them when a storm is brewing. I am not sure if they would work on the left area of your home but they would definitely be wonderful on the right side.

Interesting since I have been seeing them all over the big boxes lately. Sometimes goes by the name "Shademaster." Red maples work too, they are lovely to look at in the fall and grow relatively quickly. Also pin oaks or scarlet oaks. Most of those should be available in common places around your area.