12 Improvements That Will Help You Get More Out of Your Outdoor Space
When prioritizing projects as a homeowner, it is essential to consider exterior home improvements. These enhancements, such as constructing patios, offer an ideal setting for savoring a delightful cup of coffee in the morning, while a meticulously cared for lawn ensures the satisfaction of neighbors.
To maintain your home’s value and increase its attractiveness when selling, an attractive exterior is essential. Considering the various possibilities for enhancing your home’s exterior, we have categorized potential upgrades into three main areas: yard, curb appeal, and outdoor living. We have provided clear and recommended improvements for each category.
Exterior improvements for a beautiful yard
According to a survey conducted by HomeLight, most real estate professionals concur that homes with good landscaping are valued at around 1%-10% higher than homes without landscaping. It is not necessary to transform your lawn into a sophisticated garden in order to witness these results. Simply begin with these basic duties to provide your yard with the necessary care and attention to appear clean and full of life.
1. Do a basic clean-up
Before starting any other exterior home projects, it is important to cover the basics, especially for those who own a home and are familiar with yard work. However, due to the busy nature of daily life, it is common to occasionally neglect the lawn maintenance.
- Mow the lawn
- Add fertilizer
- Pull weeds
- Pick up sticks
- Remove debris and leaves
According to research conducted by HomeLight, a lawn care service investment of $268 results in an additional resale value of more than $1,200, equating to a 352% return on investment. Before listing, 91% of leading real estate agents also suggest opting for basic yard care service.
2. Trim shrubs and bushes
Overgrown shrubs and hedges can be an unpleasant sight, whereas trees with dead limbs or branches can be a safety concern.
To enhance the appearance of your landscaping, consider purchasing a cordless battery-powered hedge trimmer for precise trimming. It is important to avoid excessive cutting. Additionally, it is recommended to hire a professional tree trimming service to maintain mature trees every three to five years. Our research indicates that low-end landscaping can increase property value by $1,500, while professional tree care further adds $1,400.
3. Apply mulch liberally
Mulch can be considered as the most beneficial asset for homeowners as it safeguards the garden and prevents the growth of unwanted plants. Based on our estimates, spending $340 on new mulch for your plant beds can increase their value by $800, resulting in a return on investment of 126%. To make this simple enhancement, you can purchase bags of brown shredded bark from your nearby hardware store and distribute it accordingly.
In order to prevent the growth of weeds in expansive areas, it is recommended to first lay down a landscaping fabric that functions as a barrier against weeds, which will result in reduced maintenance needs in the future. Following this, apply a layer of two to three inches of mulch on the fabric. For the mulching process in large areas, it may be more practical to engage the services of a local company that can conveniently deliver bulk mulch to your driveway.
4. Plant low-maintenance perennials
Perennials require the least effort and provide the most benefits for enhancing landscaping, appearing mysteriously for three or more consecutive growing seasons. For areas with ample sunlight, opt for coneflower, coreopsis, sage, or false indigo. In shaded spaces, hostas and astilbe are ideal choices for planting.
Exterior improvements that enhance curb appeal
Tasks that specifically help improve the exterior of the home and contribute to its curb appeal are mentioned below, based on the survey data from 94% of top real estate agents who stated that great curb appeal regularly raises the amount buyers are willing to pay for a home. Additionally, 76% of agents noted that curb appeal is frequently the primary factor in enhancing the overall marketability of a home.
5. Replace or paint the front door
70% of leading real estate agents recommend applying a new layer of paint to your front door. Potential buyers often examine the door while waiting for their agent to unlock it, therefore, cracked or faded paint will not make a positive impression.
An affordable paint job within the price range of $150-$350 can have a significant transformative effect. When selecting a color for your front door, it is important to take into account factors such as your home’s architectural style, the prevailing trends in your neighborhood, and whether you desire a traditional or modern appearance. Opting for classic colors like navy, dark green, or black usually yields favorable results. Additionally, red doors can be visually striking and create a warm and inviting atmosphere while introducing a vibrant touch of color.
If your door is not opening and closing easily, hanging unevenly, or allowing drafts, it probably requires more than just cosmetic improvements. In such a situation, it may be necessary to consider replacing the door. Remodeling Magazine’s 2021 Cost vs. Value report reveals that opting for a factory-finished steel door valued at $2,082 can result in a 65% recoup of your investment.
6. Take color-palette cues from the landscape
When considering pillows, art, and accessories, feel free to be bold and not worry too much about everything matching. However, it is important to consider your environment. When decorating indoors, it is important to respect the architecture, while when decorating for outdoor living, it is important to respect the landscape. Different palettes and landscapes suit different parts of the country. For instance, a Southwest landscape with muted colors may call for similar muted colors in your outdoor area, whereas a greener landscape can accommodate more vibrant colors.
7. Create ambient lighting
When considering lighting for outdoor spaces, apply the same approach as you would with furniture and consider using multiple light sources. If your outdoor area already has existing lights, such as flush mounts on a porch or wall mounts for a patio, you can enhance the lighting by incorporating lanterns, candles, and string lights. String lights are universally popular. Opt for Edison-style lights if you prefer a slightly industrial aesthetic. In a compact space, it may be suitable to hang string lights vertically on walls.
8. Mix and match your patio furniture
Designers indoors do not approve of purchasing a complete bedroom suite that is the same style, color, and material. However, it is common for us to buy matching sets for outdoor furniture. A suggestion would be to pair vintage metal chairs with an old cooler as a coffee table. Shopping for vintage outdoor furniture is a great choice. Vintage metal sets are particularly desirable because they have already endured the elements and demonstrated durability over the years. If vintage options are unavailable, consider the new Coleman coolers that have a retro look and can serve dual purposes in outdoor spaces. Another sustainable option is Loll Designs’s outdoor furniture, which is constructed from recycled plastic.
When it comes to materials for outdoor furniture, wood is a reliable choice. It has a durable nature, allowing for restaining or painting with exterior paint to prolong the furniture’s lifespan in case of wear. To prevent damage from exposure when not in use, you might contemplate utilizing a cover for the furniture.
When considering size, aim to purchase the largest furniture possible for the available space. Instead of multiple small seats and tables, envision a patio with a sufficiently spacious sofa for napping. If you have adequate room for a love seat and a chair, it is advisable to forgo them and opt for the largest sofa that can fit. Similar to indoor spaces, experimenting with scale is permissible, as larger furniture can be more practical in smaller areas.
9. Warm up with heaters and fire pits
If you reside in a region with frequent rainfall or cooler temperatures, consider the possibility of using outdoor heaters, heat lamps, or a fire pit to create a warm and inviting space. Additionally, why not indulge in the delight of having s’mores on a summer evening? Furthermore, thinking ahead to autumn, particularly in certain climates, this season offers the perfect opportunity to appreciate weather that is neither excessively hot nor too cold.
10. Use potted plants for an oasis feel
All three designers suggest incorporating plants into your decoration. You can place them in pots or, in the case of small balconies, utilize pocket planters attached to walls or railings. Consider using herbs, houseplants, succulents, or even cultivating a lemon tree.
Plants that are commonly considered suitable for indoor cultivation can also thrive in outdoor environments during the warmer seasons, particularly in fully shaded areas. Such plants include succulents, snake plants, ZZ plants, and rubber trees. Simply ensure they receive more frequent watering and monitor their exposure to direct sunlight. As the temperature starts to decrease, it may be advisable to bring your houseplants back indoors.
11. Decorate the walls
Outdoor art often receives negative criticism due to associations with lawn gnomes and flamingos, yet it is important to broaden our perspectives and think creatively.
If you have an outdoor sofa, you could think about hanging a mirror over it. This way, you can have an eave that provides protection for the sofa. Additionally, when winter arrives, you have the option to bring the mirror inside for the season. You have two choices for obtaining a mirror – you can either purchase one specifically designed for outdoor use or take a regular mirror with a frame and coat it with outdoor paint. Either option will help safeguard the mirror from any potential damage caused by the elements.
12. Bring the entertainment outside
One idea is to try having movie nights outdoors. You can achieve this by getting a compact projector, hanging a sheet on a wall or a fence, and projecting your chosen film. This setup is quite affordable. Additionally, you can enhance the experience by organizing baskets filled with blankets and cozy pillows for comfortable lounging.
