Putting on a deck, need steps and ???

[matt4x4]

I've been planning our deck for a while, it got put on hold last year because we had a change of heart as to which deck will get priority - the pool deck at 100+ feet from the house or the house deck - we decided on the house deck which will be about 5x the budget due to it's immense size and the materials we are going to be using for the railing system. However, that did not stop me from preplanning all details of the pool deck, so here's what we've come up with as our guidelines.

First - I did not see mention of it above, but even though you're in the country, I recommend a latching gate at the pool deck stair access at minimum, we are also out in the country with a minimum of 400 feet of land between the pool and any fence line, we have horse fencing around the perimeter of the property, but I still feel that a gate is a good deterrnet for anything including that stray dog that'll go up there snooping and leave you a present.
Deck boxes are a good idea - or built ins - with bench tops so they have dual functionality, however, 10x16 is relatively small and your area will get consumed quickly.
I would rather leave a 3-4 foot stone perimeter around the base of the deck for things such as the cleaning equipment and tool storage bins, with the possibility of some shrubs along this area as well to eventually hide the 4' height of the deck as they mature - this should provide you a good clean edge for lawn maintenance purposes too. On the deck (your size), I would only place one good sized storage box that also acts like a bench, which primarily houses the pool toys - go with a plastic box, it's moveable/removable, easily cleaned and not so prone to earwigs making it home.

[NWMNMom]

Thats what I was thinking too - a deck box with a bench on top, maybe some type of shelving to one side as well. Unbelievably, my hubby decided to start building on this Saturday afternoon (just to get an idea of the frame size) and with the help of one of our teenagers, it was done yesterday noon already! When he gets going, he doesn't want to quit!

It started out with a 10x16 plan and he modified my idea so it is in fact 14x16 (10' at the far oval end of the pool) Steps were increased to 4' from the 3' wide idea, which I'm glad we did - easier to move things back and forth. I'm thinking maybe a built in bench along one short side - a deck box and a corner shelving/cabinet unit for often used supplies. Another poly-type storage unit will go at the base of the stairs to keep the supplies in (now in totes) Now I need to order the drop in steps....suggestions on brand anyone? Builtmore any good?