Smaller deck can still be fabulous

We have lived in this house for 27 years, have a big backyard, but it is in need of love and attention. It could be a wonderful outdoor space, but with all the trees we have there are bare spots with no grass and no cover from the sun on our deck. We didn't even use the deck last year because it is depressing. We'd love to have our children over with our eight grandchildren and be able to enjoy our outdoor space.

We need direction and someone with expertise to make this a welcoming retreat for all who come. Help, please!

Design by Northwest Metalcraft

Expert: Nikki Bjorgo, www.nwmetalcraft.com

Budget: $5,000 or more

This space needs to be "reinvented" so you can take advantage of its usefulness.

Suggestions

• Casual dining. Your deck is the perfect space for entertaining the whole family! We would recommend an oval umbrella table with six to eight chairs (we recommend cast aluminum seating by either Hanamint or Tropitone). You can get a good umbrella dining set of this size for $3,000 to $4,500. We have more than 100 patio casual dining sets on display from which you can choose.

• Fire pit. It looks like you have a lot of room in the backyard. A fire pit would be a perfect focal point surrounded by Adirondack chairs and would provide additional seating. We have more than 40 fire pits on display starting at $1,500. You can choose from several wood fire pits made with copper by Jatex, gas fire pits made from retired wine barrels by Vin de Flame or more than two dozen gas fire pits that match their respective outdoor furniture sets.

• Picnic table. For a parklike feel and kid-friendly spot, adding a picnic table to the yard creates additional seating and a place for the kids to enjoy their marshmallows and hot dogs!