DON'T MISS A THING

Spending time outside is proven to improve your physical and mental health. As a result, more homeowners everywhere are investing more in their outside spaces. But it’s not all about wellness. If you invest some time and money into your outdoor space, it can significantly add value to the property. 

So, let’s go over some easy and stylish ways you can upgrade your backyard, and add value to the home and your health!

Create Chill Zones With Outdoor Furniture

First things first, measure and analyze your space and decide how you want to organize and use it:

• Choose comfy seating: Pick a weather-resistant sofa, add some lounge chairs, and a coffee table for inviting hangouts outside. 
• Mix materials: Playing with materials like wood, metal, and woven will add a more stylish feel to the space.
• Use multi-functional furniture: Modular furniture and versatile pieces are a practical addition that you can rearrange when you need them. 
• Add indoor details outside: Adding a rug, some side tables, and cozy throw blankets will make the space feel so much more inviting and warmer.

Bring in A Few Statement Pieces

Every landscape designer will give you the same advice: Don’t clutter your space and pile on a lot of small things and pieces. Instead, invest in one or two statement pieces and build around them. 

For example, adding a big daybed, cozy fire pit, outdoor kitchen, or big outdoor dining table will become the center of your outdoor space.
For those who have smaller spaces, add vertical elements like tall plants, green walls or hanging plants. That’ll draw the eye upward and create a sense of height and depth, making your backyard feel bigger.

Add Outdoor Lighting

Lighting sets the mood and can make a space feel more inviting and comfortable. Soft, ambient lighting like string lights and lanterns is a must in any outdoor space, so start with that. Also, try to highlight your biggest features, like garden beds, trees, or a fountain, for more depth and dimension. For better visibility and safety, add motion sensor lights near pathways and steps. 

Layering these types of lighting will balance out your space, and also give you flexibility to adjust the mood depending on the occasion.

Blend Indoor and Outdoor Living

Connecting your indoor with outdoor helps make your home bigger, brighter, and more inviting. 

Here are some tips:

• Install large windows or glass doors to connect both spaces.
• Place an outdoor dining space close to the indoor kitchen (if you don’t have an outdoor kitchen) for easier hosting and food prep. 
• Match color palettes, materials, and overall vibe from your interior design
• Pick flooring that continues from inside to outside. 
• Add some kind of coverage (covered patio, roof extension) for shade and protection from rainfall
• Install smart lighting, speakers, and other tech that will make your space more practical.  

Top Outdoor Features According to Homeowners

Based on the 2023 Remodeling Impact Report by the National Association of REALTORS®, we picked 3 outdoor investments that delivered the biggest satisfaction and return on investment to homeowners.

1. Wood Deck

New wood decks are among the top-rated improvements for livability and resale value, with a ‘Joy Score’ of 9.8. The average price of a new deck is around 16,900 USD, but homeowners recover about 89% of that investment at resale. Also, after this outdoor project, 74% of homeowners expressed a bigger desire to be at home, and 71% say they enjoy their space more after renovations.

While forty percent of homeowners from the survey did the project themselves, we recommend hiring a professional. Not only will the end result be better, but it’s also going to be of higher quality. If you’re wondering, “Where do I even find a deck builder near me?”, you’ll be pleased to know that it’s easier than you thought – just look up a few online, or check Yelp!, or the Yellow Pages. There should be plenty of local contractors to choose from.

2. Outdoor Kitchens

Outdoor kitchens are more and more popular for outdoor entertaining. The average cost is approximately 15,000 USD, but it usually brings 100% in ROI. The most important thing about this project is durability and quality materials.

Outdoor kitchens have a 9.0 joy score, 99% of homeowners say they have a bigger desire to stay home, and 71% enjoy their home more since adding an outdoor kitchen. 

3. In-Ground Pools

A pool as an outdoor addition is considered more on the luxury side, with the median price around 90,000 USD. But it seems like it’s worth it, because people gave it the highest joy score of a perfect 10. After adding a pool, 89% of homeowners report a greater motivation to stay at home, and 90% have increased enjoyment after installing a pool.

Although the joy score is the highest, the ROI is the lowest, at 56%.

Wrapping Up

The most important part of an outdoor project is that you make it an extension of your home. To make it a place where you can unwind, get some vitamin D, enjoy nature, and make memories with family and friends. 

All of that is possible with simple changes and (mostly) smaller investments that add significant value to the property, but also to the way you live.

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