Not the same door or dimensions, but this is the idea I have.

Well that’s a no-brainer. What you currently have looks dangerous and might break even local egress safety laws.

Your inspiration photo looks fine to me.

The inspiration photo is good. It would be safer and more convenient if you could stand just outside the open screen door without hitting your nose on it. That means at least a foot and maybe two feet deeper than 3 feet. This is your opportunity to get what you want.

What is that white "space" to the left of the stairs? Just foundation?

If so, I'd have a small deck built from that left side over to the door, with stairs coming up from the left onto the deck. The you could open the door easily because you'd be standing on decking and not stairs.

Kate,that is a good idea. My only issue is that I’d rather look out that door and out over the steps rather than stare at a deck railing and spindles.

You could do Kate’s idea but still keep the stairs straight out the door so you don’t have to look over spindles.

Do you mean run a small deck the length of the mud room? I think that’s a good idea.

Well, I’m not sure since I don’t know where your mudroom is.

Like this, but perhaps on a smaller scale.

We're all on the same wavelength.

It looks like you have room enough to create a larger deck that is actually usable. Would suggest you do that instead of just having a sliver of deck.

I would do an actual useable deck all across that space maybe at least room for a couple of chairs for morning coffee/

Thank you, everyone! Love this helpful feedback.

My issue is that to do a real-deal, lovely useable deck, we would have to take up some of the lawn and pour more concrete, etc. Not the end of the world, but a bigger job than we’re looking to do right now. Right now I want to get the most bang for modest bucks while making the step situation safer and more pleasant to use. I do hope to do a nice, large deck one day.

extend it over to the left. do it once, be done w/it. kind of like what's been pictured above.

simile to this, but more space off to the left

I agree with the previous suggestions. I know you aren’t looking into doing a bigger project right away, but if you settle for the smaller deck, you will be less likely to change it later on, even if you dislike it/wish you did something different. I think it would be worth investing in the bigger project/waiting until you are able to, but it’s ultimately your decision— best of luck!

You’re all likely right.

Do you think it’s a problem for it to land on grass? If I do a narrower set of stairs it wouldn’t have to land on grass. If I go with stairs that span the width, half of it would land on grass as of now.

If you’re going to the trouble and expense of building a new deck and steps to suit you, it’s not that much extra to install an additional small pad of concrete to align with your existing.

Don’t let your old sidewalk handcuff you! It looks like it’s been patched already anyway.