Private Space

[TheBeachHouse]

An often discussed topic. Here is my twist.
For our guests, we have a front porch with lots of seating and a beach around the koi pond with 6 chairs. We also put out some beach chairs for use.
Behind the house, we have a gravel patio with grill that is off our kitchen. You can see some of the chairs from the 'beach.' We have seen people sitting there. And one woman walked off with one of our beach chairs that are stored back there. (she returned it, but it wasn't one of the loaners.)
I found a piece of driftwood and intend to write, "Private Area" on it and place it on the patio.
Is that the way to do it? I don't want to appear unfriendly. In fact, one of the first things we did when we moved in was take down the sign that said, "Keep off the grass."
In my 'hello' speech, I do say, the common areas are here and the front porch and pond. Please make yourselves at home.

 

[BananaE29]

I think your idea is perfect. Writing it on the driftwood is an especially nice touch.

 

[Country Girl]

I think your idea is very nice.

 

[Madeleine]

Good way to do it. You need your space.
However guests will still borrow the chairs because they don't understand that YOU might want to sit down after a long day.
If there is a way to say "private residence" they might think longer and harder about going there because someone lives there. Not you, someone else.

 

[Silverspoon]

We have a small, but clearly visible "Private" sign on the lawn where our porch and gardens begin. It works most of the time but there are some people who only understand barb wire and a tall fence! Really, some walk right by the private sign an even enter our private porch after we have clearly told them that the guest areas are on the other side of the property or on the knoll at the back of the property.
We have a map of "guest areas", including pathways and sitting areas, in our welcome book as well. But some guests still insist on sitting in our area.
So, put your sign up but don't be surprised to see some guests ignore it!

 

[happykeeper]

We have a soft barrier to our kitchen (Curtain) which does the trick for most, but I do still try to find an opportunity to say, "Please make yourself right at home. Except for the kitchen, the house is yours to use." Another standard line is, "If you come down early and would like coffee or tea before breakfast, just poke your head through the curtain, and will bring it right out." Handles about 98% of our guests.

 

[Kak adu Australia]

My suggestion would be some partitioned screening. You could mount your driftwood signage to it. Not a full area enclosure though as Im sure you want to maintain some views breezes etc. .
We all deserve private space.

 

[Kay Nein]

We have a small, but clearly visible "Private" sign on the lawn where our porch and gardens begin. It works most of the time but there are some people who only understand barb wire and a tall fence! Really, some walk right by the private sign an even enter our private porch after we have clearly told them that the guest areas are on the other side of the property or on the knoll at the back of the property.
We have a map of "guest areas", including pathways and sitting areas, in our welcome book as well. But some guests still insist on sitting in our area.
So, put your sign up but don't be surprised to see some guests ignore it!.

I wonder if they think the Private is directed to the general public and it's only available to paying guests. Would a sign reading "Owner's Private Space" work better?

 

[Silverspoon]

We have a small, but clearly visible "Private" sign on the lawn where our porch and gardens begin. It works most of the time but there are some people who only understand barb wire and a tall fence! Really, some walk right by the private sign an even enter our private porch after we have clearly told them that the guest areas are on the other side of the property or on the knoll at the back of the property.
We have a map of "guest areas", including pathways and sitting areas, in our welcome book as well. But some guests still insist on sitting in our area.
So, put your sign up but don't be surprised to see some guests ignore it!.

I wonder if they think the Private is directed to the general public and it's only available to paying guests. Would a sign reading "Owner's Private Space" work better?
.

Nope, this place is clearly divided between guest/owner space and we go over it at check in as well as a map of the property so they can find their way around. The private sign is in the middle of a 5 foot-wide path that only leads to our quarters. They have to go out of their way to get there since it is past the guest front door. Guests have the run of the west side of the property but some get nosy and want to see what we have. Most guests are great...if they want to see our gardens they will ask and I will escort them on a "tour". But others just can't resist having what they know they can't have....even a sign won't deter them.

 

[TheBeachHouse]

I made the sign and nestled it into the rocks at the edge of our patio. We'll see how it works. It looks great. At least we got that goin' for us.

 

[BananaE29]

I made the sign and nestled it into the rocks at the edge of our patio. We'll see how it works. It looks great. At least we got that goin' for us..

 

[Generic]

We have a small, but clearly visible "Private" sign on the lawn where our porch and gardens begin. It works most of the time but there are some people who only understand barb wire and a tall fence! Really, some walk right by the private sign an even enter our private porch after we have clearly told them that the guest areas are on the other side of the property or on the knoll at the back of the property.
We have a map of "guest areas", including pathways and sitting areas, in our welcome book as well. But some guests still insist on sitting in our area.
So, put your sign up but don't be surprised to see some guests ignore it!.

I wonder if they think the Private is directed to the general public and it's only available to paying guests. Would a sign reading "Owner's Private Space" work better?
.

Nope, this place is clearly divided between guest/owner space and we go over it at check in as well as a map of the property so they can find their way around. The private sign is in the middle of a 5 foot-wide path that only leads to our quarters. They have to go out of their way to get there since it is past the guest front door. Guests have the run of the west side of the property but some get nosy and want to see what we have. Most guests are great...if they want to see our gardens they will ask and I will escort them on a "tour". But others just can't resist having what they know they can't have....even a sign won't deter them.
.

That's why they invented the dummy camera, the alarm, the trespass sign and shotguns. Here's an idea for a sign...