Hello all. We are redoing the side deck to our new to us 80's ranch. We have moved our focus from the front door/garden (everyone had great ideas thank you ) to instead reworking on the side deck landing and how it connects to the front walkway. It was not built correctly and needs replacing. The decking posts are good but it seems that small landing addition was not done correctly and it heaves over 6" on the outside corner causing the whole thing to slant towards the house in the winter so it needs to be redone.

My front walkway runs along the house towards the driveway and is connected to that landing.You can see the first step down by that little lantern on the ground.

I am unsure where I want the stairs to the driveway to go. If it goes to the right only

and not out the front I will then need a railing and I feel that would move the focal point from the front door to the side.

Please note there will also be a retaining wall needed where you see the black fabric and stones. Though small it needs to be done as it seems there are remnants of a old one that was removed but never replaced and it is important. It will need to be about 32" high so again not a huge wall but necessary. We will be using landscape timber to build that wall so we feel it will blend into the deck nicely being the same material.
My thoughts are to connect the front walkway to the side deck maybe on a level landing instead of those step down.
Any and all thoughts are greatly appreciated.
Rainie