Are you interested in improving your outdoor living space? During the early stages of the coronavirus crisis, people were forced to spend more time than they were used to at home. So, making the inside and outside of the home more comfortable and functional made sense.
Even though the stay-at-home orders are over and will hopefully never be needed again, that doesn’t mean you can’t invest in transforming your outdoor living space. Making the right investments can also increase the valuation of your residence and make it more functional.
Here’s a look at five ways to make the exterior of your home more functional and aesthetically pleasing.
1. Patio Cover
Have you ever planned an outdoor party, prepared the food, welcomed the guests, and then had to rush indoors with your guests after a surprise bout of rain? Something along those lines has happened to many people. But you can make those inconveniences a thing of the past with a patio cover. A patio cover is about increasing the usable square footage of your property.
You can transform your patio area into an outdoor living room or den with a patio cover. It won’t matter if the meteorologist calls for rain on the same day you plan to host a backyard BBQ party. If Mother Nature tries to rain on your fun, everyone can seek cover under the patio cover. The party can go on without any unnecessary disturbances.
2. Walkway
Have you thought about creating a walkway in your backyard area? You can use paving stones, bricks, tiles, or some other material. You’ll get to choose the right color to meet your needs. A walkway can add a great design element to your backyard space — and you can add even more oomph by adding an edge or border to the walkway. It’s a cost-effective project to consider.
3. Landscaping
Another excellent way to improve your outdoor space is by investing in landscaping. When it comes to landscaping, you can go big or go small. It’s up to you. The only potential limitations are your creativity and budget. You’ll also find that it won’t cost an arm or a leg to make a big impact. Do you want flower gardens? Do you want trees or shrubs? Do you need your grass tended to and cut periodically? Those things are great. But why not also consider a retaining wall? A retaining wall is used to support soil laterally. It’ll keep soil from moving downhill with erosion. You can also use a retaining wall to create a space for a garden.
Consider your options. The right one will create a great visual effect that beautifies your property and transforms a boring landscape into a more visually stimulating landscape.
“One way people can beautify the landscaping around their home is by terracing using retaining walls,” says Angel Khan who owns Rainier Rockeries. “You can turn a boring flat yard into something with more visual interest, such as different levels, different planting areas, and more.”
4. Pond
If you’ve got the space, you might want to consider getting a small pond in your backyard. You can choose the spot, dig a hole, place a liner suited to the hole, and fill it with water. Line the endge of the liner with stones to complete the look. It’s a relatively inexpensie way to increase the aesthetic appeal of your backyard. Of course, you’ll want to be careful if you have little ones. A small pond can be a hazard if proper precautions aren’t taken to protect the vulnerable.
5. Outdoor Kitchen
Consider adding an outdoor kitchen. You can get a gas grill, sink with running water, cupboards for storage, a table, and some chairs. You, your family, and your guests will enjoy outdoor dining. Combine an outdoor kitchen with a patio cover and there’s no limit to the outdoor fun.
It can be argued that your indoor kitchen is the most important part of the home since it’s where everyone gathers to share meals and conversation. An outdoor kitchen means you can enjoy those same benefits inside. That’ll make your outdoor kitchen a beautiful place to be.
These are just some of the ways you can beautify your outdoor space and make things more functional. Try out these ideas or use them to trigger your creativity. Your home is likely the biggest investment you’ll ever make. It makes sense to invest into making it the finest place possible.
