~ Home Owners and House hunters are reportedly placing a higher priority on properties with the outdoor space. As realtors, we see increased demand with these home buyers lately, especially post Covid-19.
Indeed, a survey of 1,300 homeowners from realtor.com® at the end of April showed that a backyard was becoming more important after the beginning of sheltering in place in many areas. Since sheltering began in March, some homeowners have placed greater value on the quietness of a neighborhood and the outdoor space of their home.
Some of the desired features are fire pits, playsets, bounce houses, basketball hoops, and more to help keep children better entertained at home. Also, outdoor kitchens, in-ground pools, hot tubs, and cabanas are catching shoppers’ eyes.
If you already have a yard, here are a couple ways you can make your outside area an extension of your home.
Dining
While most of us have a dining room, an eat-in kitchen, or an area of the living room dedicated to eating, you might want to enjoy some al fresco dining in the summer months. Having an external dining area is the height of sophistication and can add more space to your summer living. To make sure that your outside dining area is comfortable, consider whipping up an awning over your patio. This cover will protect you from the elements should the rain begin to fall.
Even on a summer evening it can get a little cool, so think about fire pits or heaters to add a touch of coziness to your area. If you have friends around during the summer, think about having an outdoor dinner party rather than being cooped up inside. This can make your garden really feel like an extension of your home whether you are going for a posh affair or a more casual barbecue.
Style
If you are after something a little more functional and sculptural in your garden, rather than blooms of flowers, think about consulting with a landscaping firm to provide architecturally and nature-driven sound ideas. Planting flowers is relatively easy, but laying concrete pathways, creating raised beds, and designing a tiered outside space requires labor and money. A professional outfit can help you with this. They understand building regulations and keeping a safe working environment. Such companies work with you to create the garden space that you want, whether this is a patch of lawn for your kids to play or some cordoned off tiered areas for vegetable planting.
Relaxation
Our homes should be our little havens of relaxation. Your garden should be no different, in my opinion. Think about what you love to do to relax and maintain a space in your garden to facilitate this. If you love reading a good book, whip up a hammock in a shady spot to enjoy the latest bestseller. If you enjoy a spot of yoga, practice your downward dog in a secluded part of your garden complete with water feature so you can hear the dulcet trickles as you focus on your breathing.
Gardens and outdoor areas do not need to be boring and, often neglected, spaces. Certainly, they are meant to be enjoyed and utilized to the full potential.
Make it a very green day, my dear friends🌴
Luda@PlantsandBeyond🌿
Photographs listed here do not belong to Luda @PlantsandBeyond.com
©PlantsandBeyond.
Indeed, if our yard is going to be a place of peace and relaxation, it also needs to be beautiful. Thank you for your advice, Luda!
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Somehow it matters much more nowadays to have your own green space. Interesting how the world turned around the values
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I wish to have a backyard 😉 currently is not possible but that day will come 😉
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Lets get you your own private yard sooner than later. Where are you in this world? 🙂
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We have totally done this on our 2 acres. We live an off grid lifestyle with a small above ground pool, hiking forest trails, pond (with stocked fish), outdoor kitchen, bar, picnic table under tent, firepit, and now, a large garden. We just put up a bat house and owl “scarecrow.” Really enjoying it! ❤️🦋🌀☀️🌱🦅
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Wow, Sheila. That sounds amazing. Your backyard should be the poster child to my blog 🙂 A bat house! What an amazing idea. No more pests this way….
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It’s very true a backyard with a garden really helps to unwind and relax .Beautifying it really helps.
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Good inspiration. The hammock sounds awfully inviting, and I love the idea of a secluded area for yoga! 😊
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Hi Luda brilliant collection of photos and suggestions for outdoor home activity. These have always been high on my list of how a garden should be. A place for all to enjoy not just decorative plants. A garden to be lived in.
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