Find out if there are any local codes that would prevent your having the deck go further into your backyard. If not, no reason not to go out another six feet perhaps. It doesn't have to stop where the corner of the house is.

IMO where the gravel is is a perfect place for n extension and maybe even all down that side of the house . I love decks I have 2200 sq ft of deck

I'd look at concrete for a deck that low.

I'd do a raised flagstone patio here instead. Much better if you want a grill and fire pit on it. And no reason not to extend it unless you want to preserve the yard use below. Assuming the fence is the property line, you should have plenty of room even with fairly conservative zoning codes.

Yeah no reason we can’t extend it. We have new fencing and just down from the fence is a lower level where we have a small chicken coop and the another level down is a creek. We don’t have the budget for a big flagstone patio and my husband likes decks cause he can build them himself. I wanted more than just a square deck. Something more interesting.

Probably would help to have a diagram of the whole yard with available space. Identify what open space you want to preserve. Is the whole upper level of the yard available for the deck? Could it wrap around to the side, or descend to a ground level patio? Decks can have pavers on them if you want it to feel like a patio - they put plastic grids to hold them on top of the framing (look up the reqs if you’re interested. Concrete pavers can be DIY, and maybe some smaller flagstone - lots of options. You can combine deck and pavers on different levels. Then you can alter the shapes. Did you ever watch ”Decked Out” on DIY network? Tons of ideas on shapes, pergolas, etc. You might be able to find pics online - it is an older show.

I agree with Joseph Corlett. A deck that low to the ground and without air circulation underneath will surely have significant wood rot issues even if you use pressure-treated wood for the framing. I'll bet you will discover a lot of rot when you demolish your current deck. It would be much better to design a concrete patio space. And your maintenance will be so much easier with a concrete patio than with a deck. Don't do flagstone. If you have a slope to work with, you could make multiple levels with small brick or paver retaining walls and step-downs that will allow for various decorating possibilities and will make the area more interesting.

I will put a drawing of the yard together. We do have a slope away from the house so would that give it the airflow it needs when we extend it out? Yes, we bought the house a year ago and only got through one summer til significant rot is eating at the wood. I thought it was just not treated properly cause it seems they just painted it.

Having just part of the deck high enough to allow airflow is not going to solve the problem. The whole deck needs to be high enough off the soil to allow good air circulation. I think there are guidelines for this, and it's probably something like 16 or 18 inches. I'm not a contractor but I think you could find info on this. I know that even decks that are elevated 18 inches off the soil and get good circulation will develop rot depending on the siting -- if they are heavily shaded by trees, or are on the north side of the house, for example. There are ways to minimize rot by using pressure-treated posts and joist boards, applying joist tape and appropriate flashing, using Ipe deck boards and hidden fasteners, etc., but you still have to have the good circulation. So -- as I suggested -- a cement patio, attractively designed, would be best in your situation, in my opinion. A project like that would still have plenty of opportunities for your husband to utilize his DIY skills!

Here are a few ideas:

Wow! You are fantastic! Those options are beautiful.

I did have a couple companies come out and give me some patio estimates. So thanks all for the advice!

Love Dig Doug's paver patio! His designs are always fantastic.

I would also do a patio. We have done both in the last year - deck above and patio below. The patio was much cheaper, especially if you use low-maintenance decking for the deck.

To estimate size you need to know approximate areas for the functions you want. Our deck is 28' long, and that is enough for a lounge area (about 14'), a dining area (10') and space for a grill (4'). Our deck width varies from about 14' to 12'.

Definitely a concrete patio, forget the deck, done & done.