The open wall with no windows seems a good option. Also convenient to the back door and running the electrical supply he'll want for lighting and charging outlets.

I'd plan a patio, because you'll need one with that table. Mowing under it will be a pain, meaning you'll either have weeds or dirt. Then, I'd plan a place for the shed. That would either be in a corner with a shrub or garden bed hiding it or in the middle of the back lot line. Then, you might want to make sure you have an attractive shed.

Then, I'd plan paths between the house, patio and shed. You can do curves (curved path, circular patio, etc) or rectangles.

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Good points. The wall would be convenient and it’s the most level. I do need to decide where the table will go and then the shed. The back would let us get a larger shed.

I am having to resist the urge to start planting and know I need to do some planning first. Thank you both for comments.

If you planned a layout something like this, possibly with more circles, as your yard is big and you patio is only going to take up so much space, then, taller plants/shrubs the area between the two circles on the right would hide your shed, allowing you to put it in a corner.

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If your sketched out plan is to scale, get some tracing paper to overlay and start sketching out shapes that reflect the sizing of the elements you want or would like: a paved patio surface, shed, fire pit, kids' play area, veg garden, shrub border, privacy planting, etc. Play around with placement until you get something you like and works for you. Don't forget circulation and access to all the features you include.

This is the way landscape designers approach the issue. Planting is the very last consideration, after all planning and hardscaping is done.

I I love the circles.I had something like that in mind placing my pots. I’ll be getting out the tracing paper to look at layout.

It looks terrific! Keep watering that sod. What variety are those hydrangeas in front of the screened porch? They appear pretty tall considering that they’re still in nursery pots. If they’re Limelights, they will grow so tall you won’t be able to see out. I only mention this because I have Limelights across the front of my home. The bottom of the first floor windows are about 8’ from the ground and the Limelights graze the windowsills - even with aggressive Spring pruning.

Thank you. Yes, the Limelights have moved out to the yard. Got a good rain yesterday that really helped the sod.

Got it. I was concerned they were to be planted in the small garden where they stood in the photo. Beautiful improvement

Just a reminder about develping shade. You'll want shade from the hottest part of the day, so trees to W/SW. For morning shade, trees to E/SE. Large trees at appropriate distance with smaller trees closer in. There's nothing like the cooling of layers of shade.

All we have right now is that little ginkgo. I’m hoping we get some shade from the giant arborvitaes. Any suggestions for trees or shrubs that will give shade in our lifetime?

Landcape around the work shed. Add stepping stones across the lawn.

Add a firepit?