One of the biggest questions most homeowners will face when renovating or trying to improve their property is whether an outdoor space will add value to your home.
The simple answer is yes. However, there are several variables you need to consider when looking at outdoor living spaces.
Accessibility
Most people like to have a space where they can sit outside and enjoy the nice weather. They may also want to use the space for entertaining. Whatever the intended use the outdoor space should be easy to access, ideally it should be attached to your house and linked by a door straight to your kitchen or living room. This helps t make the space practical and adds value to your property.
Flooring
The type of flooring also makes a difference. If you have an area dedicated to entertainment you will probably want to go with decking. However, it should be noted that patios can also be appealing if they are easy to maintain. Equally, if you have an outside space designed as a children’s play area then rubber playground flooring is the best option.
Having the right type of flooring for the area will make it more practical and therefore more appealing.
Don’t forget that in many cases what adds value is how appealing a feature is. The greater the appeal the more people you will have interested in your house and the higher the resale value.
Size
An outdoor living space needs to be the right size. Too big and it risks overtaking the garden and ruining the look of your backyard. Too small and it won’t be big enough for the family or for entertaining. You need to consider what you will be using the space for and make sure it is the right size for these activities
Design
The design is where it gets most fun but it also makes a big difference to the resale value. Adding a deck generally adds value to your property. But, choosing the right wood and including patterns in the word will help to create a feature. In addition, you need to design the seating area, potentially outside heating, and even an outside kitchen.
Consider all aspects of the design to ensure the entertainment area s functional and beautiful. As part of this, you need to make sure the area has adequate lighting.
Final Thoughts
unless you are only adding the outside entertainment area to increase value for an impending sale, you need to consider your own requirements first. After all, you live in the house and want to make the most of the outside space.
In other words, the first thing you should do is consider what you currently do outside and what you would like to do. You can then design an outside area that caters to those needs and, if you pay attention to the above points, will increase the value of the property at the same time.
