Outdoor living: 3 key ways to add real value

Are you looking to do a little renovating before you sell?

Outdoor living in Australia goes hand in hand with our laid back, social lifestyles, and a relaxing, practical, inspiring outdoor living space has become an essential inclusion in our homes as we look to enhance both our lifestyle and our property value.

Here are the top tHicks Real Estatee ways to maximise your outdoor living area, which in turn could help towards getting you the return on investment you’re looking for when you sell.

1. Well-planned landscaping

Getting a landscape architect to create a professional outdoor design before you begin will culminate in an outdoor living area that works exactly as you imagined it.

Here are some key areas to pay attention to:

Curb appeal

First impressions last – a home that is visually enticing from the street will impress your guests from the moment they arrive.

Low-maintenance gardens

Less watering, weeding and upkeep means more time enjoying your relaxing outdoor living space. Many landscapers and landscape gardeners cut down on lawn and replace it with low-maintenance, foot-friendly native ground covers, or utilise substitutes such as colourful pebbles and stones.

The tree effect

Trees are unique in that their value goes up over time. Think of them as a long-term investment – buy them at around 2 ½ metres tall and in a matter of years you will have a beautiful, shady outdoor area.

Irrigation system

Keeping your outdoor space looking lush and green with minimum effort is great for you and highly appealing to future buyers.

Custom lighting

Custom lighting can showcase features and light pathways at night, making it a practical and visually stunning addition.

2. Outdoor living designs

Showcasing your property’s ability to entertain friends and family outdoors really sells the alfresco lifestyle dream.

Outdoor structures

A covered patio creates year-round inviting decking. Landscape architects love designing patios for their shade and shelter benefits. Consider patio heating and a screened area for added comfort in the winter months.

Full outdoor kitchens

A well-designed outdoor kitchen, complete with drinks fridge, sinks and built-in barbeque, will allow you to entertain your guests outdoors for the entire evening without having to run in and out to prepare the food.

3. Create a sanctuary in your backyard – water

It may sound cliche, but the secret to the ultimate outdoor escape really is water.

Water features

The soothing sound will make your home feel more like a tropical holiday retreat.

Swimming pool

Pools continue to be a highly valued addition to any outdoor living area. They’re cool, inviting and serve as a shimmering centerpiece.

Spa

A great complement or alternative to a pool that extends your outdoor living season into winter with its luxurious heating ability.

Story:   Tony Palmer     Source:   www.realestate.com.au