I would put the deck steps opposite the triple window on the deck. I think the railing on the part that sticks out looks odd. Where do you plan to widen them> What do you mean by closed in? Do you have a picture of the new deck? You could put three of those trellis up on the house (set at least 6" off the house so plants don't ruin your siding) and grow climbing plants appropriate for your zone.

Get a bunch of flagstone and make a free-form patio as an additonal useable space. Split-level style outdoor living with the deck above and patio at ground level.

Here are two methods, one keeping the lawn between the pavers, and one with gravel in between. These have firepits.

Have you had a chance to review the suggestions? Any thoughts?

In the corner between the stairs to the right, you want a medium-sized shrub. Canadian parkland roses should be able to survive Z4. So, should ninebark. Or native viburnums, which might handle shade better. For the blank wall, you want a smallish tree. Dogwood might be nice. You want the tree far enough from you house. that it won't be a problem when it's at its mature size.

I'm not usually good at this and I'm a few zones warmer than you, but I'll give it a shot. First, do you use this door? Do you walk from the driveway on the right to the door?

My thought is to bring that area out a bit, in a slightly curved line (where you have the straight blue line in the photo). I agree with Sigrid on the medium shrub near the stairs, and something taller in the blank space. But I would go for something evergreen or with winter interest for the taller shrub. Maybe an evergreen holly, or a deciduous berrying one (although the deciduous holly may get too big (wide) for the space).

It's hard to tell how deep that space is, but once you have your two anchoring shrubs there you should have room for something in between or in front of them, or both. I don't think I saw a reference to the sun in this spot but you could put in some perennials or even some smaller shrubs - there are lots of evergreen and deciduous shrubs out now that only get 2-3 feet tall and high that may work.

Personally, I would also extend the bed along the front of the deck/porch out further into the yard, and plant more there, maybe repeating something from the right side to provide continuity. And perhaps something vining (clematis, roses, etc.) growing up onto the railing may look nice. It looks like you may already have that so apologies if you do but I can't quite make out what is on that side.

I'd also put in a walkway from the drive to the porch. I know that's easy for me to say, lol, since I'm not paying, but even just stepping stones to delineate a pathway would look good, imo. You could use the stepping stones to make a small landing at the base of the front steps as well, which would also make the extension of that left side look a bit more "logical", if that makes sense.

Good luck and let us know what you decide to do!

:)

Dee