Here's a quickie, different door (angle of one you posted looked funky on straight on view of garage and I couldn't get it unfunky ;)

Sort of a French Dutch Door. I gotta go finish cleaning a bathroom (it's a rip snortin' Sat evening at my house). If you find another style you like that's facing straight on, lemme know!

Wouldn't the door be more convenient off to the side (pathway alongside the car)? Typical utility door around here looks like Moon's but without the dutch. Sometimes a sheer over the panes. Do you have to worry someone might break in through the glass (what neighborhood doesn't these days)? Access to the house from the garage?

Thanks moonshadow. You are a doll.

Hi squirrelheaven, one good thing about not having a utility door is that there is less of a chance of a break-in. I actually do think about that alot. My understanding is that an intruder will break into the utility door and then into the house via the garage. You are making me rethink my thoughts.

Another thought was adding a custom trellis or arbor or something to break-up that wall. Windows probably seem silly, too?

Anybody have any ideas?

A solid door would be a bit more secure (unless one with glass had a deadbolt that was keyed on both sides, so no one could punch through glass and flip a knob on the lock.

But I have a story. ;) Garage at one of the rentals was was broken into twice. Tenant had a lot of stuff in there far too inviting to a thief and often left the overhead door open when he was home, so there was a clear view to garage contents from street. Anyway, full steel door with deadbolt. Really secure. Morons just rammed it really good a couple times with their should and knocked the door out. The reason it came out was because they knocked the frame loose from the studs (just screwed in). Locksmith told us that's common. Then they came back, but this time DH had installed a 2x4 brace on the inside of the door and put much longer screws in the door frame where it screws into the studs. When they couldn't get through that way they squeezed through a little slider window that I would swear a ten year old kid couldn't get through. It's that small. But they did it. They got caught, tho. Detectives told us what we all here all the time: when they really want to get in, they'll find a way. And a barking dog beats alarms, motion lights, etc. as a deterrent.

OK, I'm done with my story. ;)

Honestly, that looks like a bad location for a door. Maybe better if it were just around the side corner, visible from the neighbor's house and street. Of course, if you have an alarm system and heavy duty doors on both, maybe it's not such a big deal.

I think a trellis sounds really nice, esp from the deck. Different vines and bloom times. Maybe add an enjoyable water feature? Can you do some flagstones and a couple chairs near the grill area also?

I saw a nice chaise with an umbrella over it on Charleston Gardens. Their's was crazy expensive ($2K-$3K), but made me think of your outside lounging thread. Maybe you have a spot for something like that down in the yard, to enjoy a bit of time outside with the dogs.

Here is a link that might be useful: Chaise & Umbrella

I think one of the issues is that many utility doors are very wimpy! The one at my last house was terrible and had a bad lock. I believe the dog theory. No one in my neighborhood wood dare come into my house with crazy Cassidy. Everytime a pizza guy or saleman come to the door I know they would never think of breaking in later on. LOL.

Actually squirrel, I have a new outdoor set (outdoor wicker - two chairs and a little wicker sofa) for the one side of the deck (but it is snowing today and 32 degrees so it is sitting in the garage in the boxes.) On this side of the deck I do have a dining table and umbrella for entertaining. So depending on where you are sitting you get a view of the yard or a view of the empty wall.

I think the empty wall is bugging me more than not having a utility door.

That is a great site squirrel!

Here is a bad pic of that area from last year. I see the umbrella and the blank wall but the table and chairs? (Might have moved them to the other side of the deck.)

Oh squirrelheaven! This is from that site. On clearance - 40% off?!

gasp! Didn't take it in right away. Oh how cute! I'll have to check it out : ) I just love that site. I need 'milleons and milleons' of dollars, lol.

Hmmm, that's really pretty Kelly. I'm having trouble picturing what is going on back there, remembering your other thread and pic of the deck (narrow deck with bump out and pass-through along the one side/window wall across to the steps).

How about a small decorative upper window and then something going on beneath.

Interesting. Maybe an upper window that doesn't open? And a wide vertical board painted the trim color that would cut the wall in half may be nice.

Here is another pic from last year that shows my little trellis. I could probably get a taller one. Maybe an arbor. I think I have lots of options. I just need to think about it. Knowing the door is not the right solution is very helpful.

Sorry for the confusion on the layout. This pic might help. To the left of the stairs is the seating area that I posted a few weeks ago and where I will put the wicker set. To the right of the stairs is the dining area and garage wall.

Wow, you lucky girl!

LOL squirrel, I assume you are seeing the potential since I know you are a garden lover. I was embarrassed to post those pics because last year was a bad year for gardening. This year that yard is going to see some improvements. (Did you like the dead coneflowers?)

I will be redeemed (as soon as I figure it out.)

I say the door should go wherever it's convenient, to the layout inside the garage and the access to the deck. We have a solid steel door with a keyless entry keypad on ours. Facing the neighbor's might be a good deterrent, you never know who'll be watching your back.

If the window is small enough, or high enough to not be convenient, I wouldn't worry about it being an open invitation. You could also add architectural details with moldings or corbels that would complement the facade.

Squirrel, oh no! That Charleston Gardens site has way too many things I just *have* to have!

Hi prairiegirl, thanks for chiming in. I think I have decided to go without the door this year but I agree that having a secure door is more important than a pretty door (Dutch door is out.) Last night I got out all my gardening magazines and books to look for ideas (plus I did a bunch of googling on garden structures.) I am very excited to get working on my yard this year. Hope you are around to give me advice as I go.

oceanna, isn't that site wonderful? I need to order something so they will send me their catalogs in the future.

They have one fabulous catalogue! I can't throw them away : ) Usually terribly expensive, but I sometimes come across a few things I'd love which I could actually afford : )

Here's an idea... what about mimicking some of the windows on your house but using mirrors instead of actual windows. You could still trim them out like windows. This would reflect your lovely yard and view! Just a thought...

Creekylis, I sort of thought about a mirror too, instead of a window, but -- the birds. They'll fly right into them and break their necks : (

Hi squirrel, I have their clearance page saved as a favorite on my computer so I remember to look for deals!

creekylis, I have thought of doing a faux window! I keep going back to real windows, too. If they are the same windows that I have on the house they can't be anymore of an intruder risk, right? As far as seeing in to see if my car is there....My big garage door has windows. (No reason for them to risk going to the back of the house.)

I do need to get beware of dog signs for my gates. Maybe ideamom can whip up some pretty ones.

squirrel, we were cross posting. I thought more about the windows and started thinking.....do I need to add shutters? window boxes? Don't want to get that much into it. lol.

Didn't think about the birds. You are right!

I do need to get beware of dog signs for my gates. Those detectives I mentioned above said that's a great deterrent too, even if there is no pooch. After that break-in I provided all tenants with those signs (only 1 house actually has a dog tho). Real pain repairing damage like that and we can't report every little incident to insurance or we'd be dropped like hot potatoes. :/

You have a lovely deck and yard! ;D

Thanks for the compliment, moonshadow. At my last house I always left a water bowl and leash by the entry. I have always heard that if an intruder knows a dog is in the house he will move on to the next one.

My hounds may be a handful at times but they do make me feel safe.

I agree on the insurance. I have a very high deductible for the same reason. You would never turn in smaller claims because it is not worth it.