- Improving outdoor space in residential areas can bring many benefits, including reduced stress levels and improved mental well-being.
- Access to green spaces has been linked to increased property values and better housing market performance.
- Creating a livable space with seating areas, an outdoor kitchen, greenery, and lighting solutions adds value to the property.
- Enhancing curb appeal with landscaping, vegetation, and pathways improves aesthetics and property value.
- Investing in weatherproof furniture and materials ensures more extended use outdoors while adding comfort and style.
Improving the outdoor space of a residential area can bring a wealth of benefits to those who live there. Not only can it create a more aesthetically pleasing environment, but it can also provide numerous lifestyle benefits in terms of promoting physical activity and relaxation.
Studies have found that access to green spaces can significantly reduce stress levels and improve overall mental well-being. People who live in areas with better outdoor spaces tend to exercise more often, enjoy increased social interaction, and experience greater life satisfaction than those without access to nature or green space.
An improved outdoor space has also been linked to increased property values and improved housing market performance. Homes near parks or other green spaces have higher rates of appreciation when compared to homes without nearby access to nature. The median house price in neighborhoods with abundant trees was 9% higher than houses without trees. This suggests investing in residential outdoor spaces is desirable for quality-of-life improvements and economic gain.
However, you might not know how to maximize outdoor space or where to start. Fortunately, you can consider many great projects to improve your outdoor area. Some potential ideas include:
Creating a Livable Space
Creating a livable outdoor space is an excellent way to improve the quality of life for you and your family. Homeowners can create a space that encourages relaxation, physical activity, and socialization, adding value to the home. Here are some of the best features to get:
Seating Areas
Adding comfortable seating areas to your outdoor space is essential for creating a livable area. Whether installing a few Adirondack chairs around the firepit or investing in a covered patio complete with love seats and side tables, having places to relax outside will give you and your family somewhere to unwind after a long day.
Outdoor Kitchen
Having an outdoor kitchen is also beneficial for entertaining guests or enjoying sunny days outdoors. You don’t need much space – you can install grills, griddles, pizza ovens, refrigerators, and other features in smaller areas without sacrificing comfort or functionality.
Greenery
Adding greenery such as trees, shrubs, flowers, and grasses helps bring life to any outdoor space. Not only do they look beautiful, but they can also provide shade and privacy and act as natural noise barriers from traffic or other noises outside your home. Plus, plants help purify the air while also providing habitats for birds and wildlife that can add a tranquil ambiance to any area.
Lighting Solutions
Lighting solutions are another essential element when creating a livable outdoor area since they can help extend the use of your space into the evening hours while also providing security benefits and safety features. Consider adding solar-powered lights along pathways or hanging string lights over seating areas to create an inviting atmosphere perfect for enjoying with friends and family into the night hours.
Prioritizing Comfort
Making an outdoor space comfortable is essential to improving the quality of life for those who live there. Furniture that is comfortable and designed for outdoor use is necessary for creating a livable space. Outdoor seating, such as Adirondack chairs around a firepit, loveseats, and side tables on a covered patio, can provide people with comfortable places to relax and socialize.
Outdoor heating can also be beneficial in colder climates, helping to extend the amount of time people can spend outdoors. Patio heaters are an excellent choice for providing warmth while adding an aesthetically pleasing feature to the outdoors. They come in various designs, such as floor-standing models or wall-mounted designs, so you can select one that best fits your outdoor area. Outdoor fire pits, meanwhile, provide the most aesthetic and functional heating solutions for any outdoor space.
Additionally, investing in weatherproof furniture and materials will help ensure that they last longer than standard indoor furniture or materials while adding to the overall comfort and style of the area. For example, cushions made from Sunbrella fabrics are highly resistant to fading from UV rays and mildew growth due to their moisture resistance. This makes them perfect for outdoor spaces where they’ll be exposed to weather conditions more often than interior spaces.
Investing in Curb Appeal
Improving the curb appeal of a residential area can significantly enhance the outdoor space and add value to homes. Curb appeal refers to the visual appearance of homes from the street, and first impressions matter to potential buyers or renters. Enhancing outdoor spaces with landscaping and other features can be one of the most cost-effective ways to increase curbside appeal and boost property value.
Adding invasive vegetation, such as shrubs, trees, flowers, grasses, and other plants, to an outdoor area can help create attractive visual aesthetics while providing much-needed oxygen production and air purification. In addition to helping maintain a pleasant environment inside and outside a home, green spaces are also known for reducing noise levels from traffic or other external disturbances.
Investing in walkways is another excellent way to boost curb appeal. Pathways lead visitors through gardens, ponds or water features, stepping stones, or past sculptures while adding ambiance to any outdoor area. Furthermore, adding gravel or decomposed granite is an easy solution for creating attractive, low-maintenance pathways yet highly durable under different weather conditions.
Final Thoughts
Having a livable outdoor space can significantly increase the quality of life for those who live there. Creating an inviting atmosphere with seating areas, outdoor kitchens, greenery, and lighting solutions can bring many benefits and significantly improve the value of homes in the area. With a few simple projects like these, you can make your residential outdoor space enjoyable to relax and socialize.
