We often get questions about how our house sits on the lot—where the patio goes, where the garage is, and how everything relates to one another—so we decided to lay out a clear exterior overview. Our property is nearly an acre, with a very deep woodland behind the house that gives us the privacy we love (it’s actually one of the main reasons we bought this tired little ranch). We also inherited mature hedges and fences that keep the yard feeling secluded from our neighbors on both sides. Below is an explanation of our long, narrow lot and how the outdoor spaces connect.
Our Long, Skinny Lot
It might be hard to believe the rendering is to scale—“Is your house really that small?” and “Is your lot really that long?” are questions we hear a lot—but we traced it from a scaled blueprint we found in the file of closing documents. The contrast between the tiny footprint of the house and the generous acreage surrounding it is striking. A few things are immediately obvious: there’s a lot of grass to mow, we have a very long driveway with room for several cars at the far end, and the trees and shrubs give the property a woodland feel.
The sunroom stairs descend to the patio, which then connects to the driveway. Off the driveway edge we planted a small herb and vegetable garden in one of the few sunny spots on the property—the rest of the yard tends to be quite shaded because of all the foliage.
Sunroom Doors and Patio Access
We get a lot of questions about the sliding glass doors in our sunroom, so here’s the simple answer: only one set of those doors leads out to the back patio. The others open to views and cross breezes but don’t lead to a walkable path—stepping through them would put you right over the garden beds or into the bushes along the house. We keep them for the light and ventilation they provide, and one set of doors (just out of frame in some photos) opens to a few brick steps down to the patio.
From the top of those steps you have a good view of the patio area. The patio itself sits tucked behind the house and is easily reached from the gate at the side of the driveway.
Approaching from the Street
Start at the street and look down our long driveway. As you walk toward the house you’ll pass by the side view of the property, then reach the wider area at the back where the driveway opens up. This is where we once set up tables for our backyard wedding—an event that transformed the space into a memorable gathering spot. On ordinary days the driveway and the painted garage present a quiet, functional backdrop to the yard.
We eventually painted the garage door black, which gives the structure a cleaner, updated look compared to how it appeared on the wedding day. Turning slightly to the right from that parking area, you approach the gate that leads into the cobblestone path and the patio beyond.
Gate, Cobblestone Path, and Backyard
Just inside the gate is a cobblestone path that leads to the patio. From inside the fenced area you can look back toward the garage and up at the back of the house. The brick stairway near the gate drops down to a private entry basement—an area we plan to renovate in the future.
Outside the gate and beside the stairs is our edible garden, planted in that rare sunny pocket of the yard. It’s a compact but productive area that benefits from direct sun and protection from the wind, nestled right at the edge of the patio entrance.
The Woods and the Yard
Behind the backyard is a deep, mature wood that provides both privacy and a beautiful natural backdrop. The grassy lawn gives us room for the dog (and someday children) to play, while the woods offer a secluded, almost magical feel that makes the property feel much larger and more private than its suburban neighbors.
Frankly, it was the lot that sold us. The house itself showed its age, but the private green space and woodland backdrop convinced us to make an offer after years living in the concrete density of Manhattan. The combination of open lawn and thick, protective foliage was irresistible.
So that’s a concise tour of our home’s exterior and how the outdoor areas fit together. What about you—do you have an unusual lot, a long narrow property, a detached garage, a separate entrance to a basement, or even a chicken coop? (We inherited a small coop behind the garage, which adds a quirky bit of charm.) We’d love to hear about the special features that make your property unique.