Ah, the “alley.” That awkward strip of space between the original section of our house on the left and the newer addition on the right. We’re grateful they didn’t close it in—keeping those windows was worth it—but the result is a narrow, underused void that’s felt odd since day one.
Right now the alley holds a very short, heavily weathered balcony that overlooks liriope, our AC unit, the oil tank, and the neighbor’s house. It’s not practical. It’s more of a maintenance hazard than a welcoming outdoor spot—unless you enjoy wondering whether the boards will give way beneath your feet.
At first we thought about turning it into a walk-out path with steps down to a small paved area and some potted plants. But that plan didn’t add enough function. We already have a patio on the other side of the house that works better for casual lounging and bike parking, so creating another similar space here felt redundant.
After rethinking the possibilities, we landed on a deck designed specifically for dining alfresco. From the photo taken across the alley, you might not assume this narrow strip is an ideal location for a deck, but it opens right off the hallway next to the kitchen—making it far more convenient for carrying plates, utensils, and glasses than trekking across the yard to the patio. That proximity is the deck’s biggest selling point.
We love using the patio for relaxing, reading, and listening to music, and we go out there almost every day. But we rarely eat there because it’s less convenient. Adding a dedicated outdoor dining deck directly off the kitchen could transform this odd space into a genuinely useful extension of our home. With a dining table, and perhaps a pergola and string lights in the future, the area could be warm, intimate, and practical for family dinners and small gatherings.
The alley is wider than it looks—nearly eight feet—so it’s actually close to the width of some interior rooms we’ve lived in. Its length will allow for a medium-sized dining set and comfortable circulation, and at 17 to 21 feet long the deck will feel more spacious than you might expect for an exterior room.
One advantage of elevating the deck is that it will screen unattractive elements like the oil tank and the AC unit from view. Moving those systems would be a major hassle—especially the oil tank, which would involve county-level permits and work—so instead we’ll maintain the deck’s existing elevation to create a visual barrier. The floor height alone will block most of the view, and adding a railing or a built-in planter at the deck’s edge will obscure it further while adding greenery for privacy and a softer outlook toward the neighbor’s house.
Beyond creating a pleasant dining space and hiding equipment, the deck helps resolve some odd negative space around our home’s footprint. Viewing the house as a flattened T-shape with a small projection for the bedroom, there were two awkward slivers of unused exterior. Last year we filled one with a fenced patio. The new deck will fill the other, making the exterior read more like a natural rectangle and giving the overall layout better balance.
Next steps include sketching detailed plans, calling Miss Utility to mark underground lines before digging, clearing the area of liriope and overgrowth, and applying for a county permit. We expect the permitting process to add some time—there will be two inspections—but we see it as a learning opportunity. We’ve never built a deck before, and we plan to document the entire process: design choices, material lists, hours invested, and the final costs so others can learn from our experience.
We can’t wait to get started and turn this odd little alley into a charming, functional outdoor dining area that feels like a natural extension of our kitchen and home. If you’ve built a deck or transformed a similar space, we’d love to hear about your experience and any tips or lessons learned.