Previously the deck was a simple row of planks. Plain, simple and just fine. But I can't do things that way. I thought a bit and came up with what you see in the photo above. I cut another opening in the side of the upper deck area for entrance. Moved a couple plants out of the way and made a two step up platform to get into the deck "seating and BBQ" area. This "step" is independent, thus can be moved and used elsewhere in the future as I intend to make an entirely new, fancy deck out back in the future. The old, plain plank walkway was replaced with a new walkway. I ran that out straight as before but added on a platform to the end. This took folks out a little further before reaching dirt and looked better (to me). It also allows a little space to put your shoes, perhaps sit down and a couple people can stand there if they so wish. The edges of the transition from narrow walkway to the platform: I put some angle and changes of width into those for interest. Also, from the start I knew the "normal" width board would never work out to end at the door or the proper places on the platform and the transition from walkway to platform, so I made all the boards a pattern of three wides then a narrow. This allowed easy "fudging" of my meeting points in the design and (I think) looks kind of nice and different.