What would you use that area for? It seems pretty small and there's absolutely no view, so I couldn't imagine sitting out there and relaxing. It seems like a bit of a useless space to me.

I think I would have preferred just windows instead of the doors there. But given how it is, I think I'd just build stairs and make a pathway out to the front of the garage.

Hi, it would just be a place for my toddler to play outside for a while. Thinking of putting a few potted plants/planters and maybe a grill (if space allows).

thanks,

Cooks.

Seems like a lot of work for such a limited use space. Obviously you can do what you like, but just remember that a toddler is only a toddler for a couple of years. Then that area is going to be too small to play in.

Is there a better area for a grill? Out back perhaps? I think that such an enclosed area might make it so that the smoke doesn't blow away so easily and the griller is going to be standing in a cloud of smoke while they're cooking.

If you really want a deck, I'd probably skip moving the AC and not even bother with the stairs. Just make it a fully enclosed 7x7 deck with a railing. Are you really going to use that entrance to access any other part of your yard? Think of it more as a ground level balcony. :)

I agree, my toddler wont be one for long. I like the idea of an enclosed balcony, thats what we had in our previous residence and it was fine. It was also the same size. The only other place for a grill would be to open up the garage (which is in the back) and grill on the driveway/garage area.

Actually the space you see opposite the HVAC unit (in the picture where the red property line is marked), that is our backyard!! , you can also see a little bit of our driveway and garage on the left hand side :).

Because we dont have a backyard at all, we were looking for a small area which we can call outside :)

Cooks.

I see! I was totally picturing your house the other way around since most garages are at the front of the house.

Is that entrance the only exit to your 'backyard' (other than presumably through the garage)? If so, I guess I could see the stairs and a pathway being used more. I was picturing this door as a weird side door that you'd never use to go to the front of your house since you'd have a regular front door on the other side of the garage. As I said, I was totally picturing everything wrong.

Are there similar houses in your neighbourhood? What have they done with this area?

Yeah I know when we moved to the area a few months ago we were also surprised to see the garages in the back. But, yes thats the only door to get outside to the backyard except from the garage.

One of our neighbors has a detached garage in the back, so they just have a small area (4x4) with stairs and a path which lead to the garage. As you can see in this picture. Our HVAC unit faces there backdoor :).