Build the deck. Your backyard space is basically useless without one. And, deck over patio as most people prefer to be up off the ground when sitting outside.

Why not have a smaller deck with steps down? Something large enough to hold a few people and a grill so you don’t have to navigate steps to get between the grill and the kitchen, but not so large that you lose half of your yard. Sure, that height of a deck won’t give you a ton of useable space below it, but it could store children’s toys below it well enough.

Deck for sure.

You can add a privacy screen on the sides of the deck.

For privacy a patio is better. Plants and fencing can screen whereas a deck above ground leaves you exposed.

We built a small egress deck to safely transport food/beverages or assist guests walk outdoors. Hope this helps.

A deck is so much more better here. You're not losing yard space at all, a deck would make it way more useful for entertainment and easy access. Plus you can use the underneath as storage. Personally I hate lawncare and am always looking for good ways to have less of it.

I'd KILL to have easy deck access from my own main floor. In our house, we have to take a full staircase and walk around the corner. Every time we want to eat out there, we load up trays and have to make several trips. it's a long walk and annoying AF.

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