Hi Suz,

I’d go with a simple composite deck that flows from your door and avoids the asphalt. A small raised deck could help level the yard. Keep furniture modular or prefab to save costs and work around the gas line. For the side yard, some easy landscaping like shrubs or a small garden would clean it up. You can also paint or add skirting to the concrete steps for a fresh look. DM me on IG if you have questions: carole.vaudable.design

$74 K seems excessive. Get more estimates or better yet as new home owners invest in a few power tools and learn to DIY.

Home Depot and Lowe's have simple concrete footer blocks for building decks from standard lumber which is less pricy than composite decking. Get a few freebie pallets and experiment with tools to build a couple planter boxes and simple patio furniture for practice. Check Pinterest or Home Talk for ideas.

When building the deck you can use it to cover the concrete steps and some of the Asphalt walk then add a couple wooden steps down to the ground level. I would start the deck next to the door extended into the side yard and wrap it around the house . that gas line can be hid a simple bar or shelf. ( On our patio we have plant shelves and cocktail tables made of just stacked cinder blocks and long narrow flagstones or large format porcelain tiles.) You could also just make a small deck around door and side yard that steps down to a ground level patio on the side of the house. this would be even easier DIY with concrete pavers or just crushed granite with some Steel edging. With edging and brick or landscaping stones you could easily hide the asphalt under crushed granite and or pavers. With your nice bright white trim, white vinyl lattice screens could hide the AC and those tanks by garage. You can fill a 5 gallon bucket or big planter with concrete or even just pea gravel to hold up a pole to support sun shades and or patio lights.

Good luck in this creation of a back yard oasis. It will be beautiful.

As above, your budget will go lightyears farther if you diy. This guy has done several deck projects. He's fun and easy to follow. Easiest Deck You'll Ever Build | Anyone Can Do This

Easiest Deck Build Ever | Step By Step

Decks are so expensive - FWIW we diy’ed a flagstone patio years ago, while it was a lot of work it was not expensive and I loved how natural and low key it looked

You can use the asphalt walk as a base for new pavers. There are videos online that will talk you thru the process.

Building a deck is not rocket science to do DIY 74K is crazy even now . I like deck better than patios so always choose a deck and we have built many DIY You can leave the asphalt and do the deck over it no problem You have grwat space so plan it to be off that back porch area and go all around that back wall it might need some issues with level thaose are easy dealt with with deck.. There are many choices for decking too talk to a good big box store to get good pricing .

As others suggest, DIY is the best way to stretch a budget. It does take time and planning. The pictures below are if an egress deck and patio we built over 20 years ago DIY - took a summer but everything cost <$7000 at that time.