At this time of year, with sunny days and warm weather, its natural for our minds to drift to the great outdoors. A thoughtfully designed outside area can not only add to the value of your home, and its attractiveness to potential buyers, but also to the usability and enjoyment of the space whilst you are living there. In essence it can act as an additional room to your home, so now could be the perfect time to undertake a few updates.
Remember there are no rules when it comes to creating your own, or a potential buyer’s, perfect outdoor living space so its worth considering the balance between what needs to be done and what could be done. This differentiation will not only help you prioritise but also to budget.
Perhaps you don’t need to undertake a complete renovation of the space to make an impact. You could consider it in stages and start with a general spruce-up? Leaving space to perfect, improve, or build on what you have offers opportunity for buyers to add their own mark.
If it is in need of a complete overhaul try to keep larger elements and the structure simple, such as neutral paving or decking, and embellish with smaller items, such as cushions and mirrors, that can be changed or removed to taste.
Consider sectioning the garden, using layers and textures, to create zones with dedicated uses, whether sunbathing, film screenings or socialising.
Don’t forget balconies! These can be a great place to enjoy some fresh air and sunshine and might benefit from a curated selection of furniture and plants to showcase their potential.
When it comes to the work itself, design and build to last. For example if you are laying decking and installing trellises ensure they are treated so they keep their look for years to come. Thinking with the future in mind will help to retain the added value of your home whilst also looking great and being a nicer place to enjoy.
