Had to tear down my deck, now i cannot afford to replace it.

Hi Ellen, Do the post hold up the front of the house, if not, how about an awning ?

It looks great

for privacy add pergola w curtains

A pergola can be a starting point. From that you can hang tarps, vines, string lights, potted plants etc to give you some privacy

I would look at retractable awnings....similar to what rv's use.

house no. one started with one, 10 yrs later I could afford a hard top insulated cover for the back patio.

Here’s some privacy fencing that’s pretty easy and beautiful, also some posts for lights. Skinny slays wide slats, length wise, vertical, lattice. Flower boxes on street side, bar or seating on patio side. Are you in love with those shrubs? Maybe move them somewhere else?

The cost of lumber has really increased over the last several years, and that makes any construction expensive. Make sure that anything you build doesn't require a permit from your city, or approval of a neighborhood or homeowner's association if you are subject to one.

Consider what you need—shade, privacy, or a solid surface for your chairs and table. The easiest option for shade is a canvas covered gazebo, and there should be many on sale right now. Unfortunately, the canvas won't last forever, and it won't survive a snow load, so must be stored if you get snow. Privacy can be had with panels of lath, reed fencing or trellis, or you could make curtain panels of painter's drop cloth that hang from rope or metal pipe between the house and a post. See the photo below. Since you already have gravel in the area you can set square pavers on top of the gravel. Just make sure to level the area.

An arbor only provides dappled shade, but the simplest type requires four 10 ft 4x4 posts, two 2x6 or 2x8 main beams and multiple 2x4 top beams. http://tate-fencing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/pergola-construction-2.jpg I only specified the length of the posts because you need to provide at least 80" clearance below the bottom of the main beam, and posts should always be dug in and set in concrete for stability. The size of the main beams depends on how wide the posts are set—the longer the distance the wider the main beam should be, i.e. 2x8 instead of 2x6. The more top beams you use the more shade you get, but the more the project costs. You should check out your local lumber supply stores for prices.

Thank you!