Here's something creative I did with the deck (again, not the best picture - before we leave all this behind, I should get some better ones):
That's just half of it, there's actually four sections like that. created by nailing five tall posts to the outside of the deck railing vertical supports. Then we drilled through the posts and put steel pipe through it to support the weight. In the growing season it has hanging baskets, but at Christmas time we wrap it with evergreen garland stuff. You could do lots else with it - sheer curtains for that outdoor room look, etc. I'm proud of this one, because it was entirely my idea, I never saw it anywhere else.
On the opposite side of the deck from the hanging baskets is a long planting bench my partner built, with trellis behind it:
That was early in some spring. Later in the season the vines fill in the trellis and help screen the neighbors.
There's more I could share about the hillside, retaining walls and woodland shade garden etc., but I will quit hogging up this thread and let others post some of their great ideas!
PS If you know anyone in Cincinnati or moving here, looking to buy a house, this house and all this is for sale!

(Three bdrm plus office, formal dining room, 4 bathroom, 2 stories plus finished walk out basement where my seed starting operation pictured elsewhere lives as well as family room space)