Just finished the multi-level deck project — a massive upgrade from those old stairs

We went through the same headache with a multi-level build last summer, trying to match the 4-foot drop from the kitchen door to the lawn. My biggest regret was not planning for the extra weight of the planters on the upper tier. We ended up having to go back and add extra 4x4 posts because the joists started to sag under the heavy ceramic pots. For that stone transition, we used a dark slate that realy pops against the cedar, but keeping the weeds out of the polymeric sand has been a weekly chore I didn't anticipate. Since you mentioned the stain, don't wait too long. I used Ready Seal in 'Natural Cedar' on our 12x16 platform and it’s held up surprisingly well through a wet winter. It’s an oil-based formula, so it doesn't peel or flake when the ice hits it. I tried a water-based sealer on my old porch and it was a mess by March.

One thing to watch for with that covered grill area is the smoke traps. We had a small roof over our Weber and the underside of the cedar started getting a greasy film after just a few months. I had to install a small outdoor-rated fan just to keep the air moving so the soot didn't ruin the finish. It's a small fix but makes a big difference for the longevity of your wood.

I actually went the opposite direction and skipped the stone patio entirely because our soil is heavy clay and tends to shift. Instead, we extended the lower deck level using composite boards from Trex. It was more expensive upfront, but I was worried about the pavers heaving during the freeze-thaw cycles we get every January. We kept the height just six inches off the ground to keep it feeling like a separate zone without needing a railing.

Since you are looking at stains, be careful with the timing. I rushed into applying a semi-transparent Cabot oil-based stain on my pressure-treated pine too soon after the build. The wood wasn't dry enough and it started peeling within eight months. If your lumber is still feeling a bit damp or "green," you might want to let it weather untill spring. I ended up having to pressure wash and sand the whole thing down, which was way more work than the original build.

Since you're hunting for a stain that actualy survives winter, I'd grab some Penofin Blue Label. I put it on my cedar deck two years ago and the water still beads up like it’s brand new. It penetrates deep so you don’t get that nasty peeling you see with the cheap box store brands. For that new seating area you mentioned, look into Polywood. We swapped out our old wooden set for thier AD5030 Adirondack chairs last spring. They’re heavy enough that they won't blow away on the stone patio during a storm, and you never have to sand or paint them. Best investment for a low-maintanence yard.