i think the best place to start is the clean up....clear out everything you don't want to keep. remove broken fencing and posts, get rid of excess brick and wood, cut down dead shrubs, tree limbs, etc. then cut the grass. a hilly lawn can be a nice lawn when the grass is in good shape, healthy and green....research lawn care online. then create what you need the space to do for you. repair the basement entry area, complete with a gate at the top of the stairs for safety reasons. building from wood is fine...then paint it out in your homes trim color. you can always build some sort of deck space to create a flat surface for outdoor grilling, eating, relaxing, etc. your options are many.....first, clean up and clear out, second set a plan and third, repost for more specific advice. have fun and good luck. ;]

How will you use this space? Do you enjoy playing and looking at the lawn? Do you sit with friends and have coffee? For ideas, click on HGTV.com, outdoors, landscaping. My first thought for the outside basement entrance is security. I would transform that into a metal gated enclosure that has a lock, and a lock for the door as well. Also, you may want to put a nice walkway around it to make it look visually pleasing. For the lawn, remove all the dead bushes. Get a do it yourself soil kit from a hardware store or home center. Repair soil as needed. You may have to much clay or sand. Bring these pics and ask for help. For the hilly lawn, Create a platform for the main part of the lawn so you can enjoy it. Then create a tiered decline for where the hill goes down. If you have kids, put up a fence where the decline starts. How about a patio near the back door?