Pools, plants, pergolas ... Outdoor spaces and backyard gardens have never been more in demand.
Yes, spending time in your backyard is a great pastime whether you live in Long Island or Seattle.
Surely, you may have already done some gardening over the past few years but there's always more to be done, right?
If you're aware that you may one day need to sell your house and are looking to make some extra cash, then you're going to invest the time and money into making your yard look nice.
And even if you don't plan to sell your Long Island home anytime soon, just making some improvements will be a boon for you. You and your family and guests will enjoy whatever you decide to do to improve your backyard.
Fortunately, there are lots of things you can do to improve your backyard ideas for lounging as well as entertaining and that will help your home look better, too.
From ground pools with diving boards to a vegetable garden using organic materials or other green materials creating a lush backyard could serve as your go-to place.
Importance of the Backyard
Backyards are an important part of any house, but they don't always add up to living space. However, if you're looking for some extra room for entertaining, then adding a backyard complete with lovely items simply bought at the garden center could be effective.
While the weather is still nice, use it to create an outdoor living space where you and your family can spend many summer days, autumn days, and even colder days depending on where you live in the country.
For instance, just having a patio can be a great thing to enjoy; a patio is any type of garden space, including an enclosed porch or deck with or without an outdoor kitchen.
If you already have an outdoor kitchen, it simply needs a kitchen update with some new bells and whistles.
There are indeed lots of ways to create an attractive and functional space these days for you and your family to enjoy.
A Patio
Speaking of adding a patio to your yard this is an easy way to improve its value. Whether you install outdoor tiles or pavers, creating a small patio will give you more space for outdoor living which is becoming an integral part of a happy home.
Outdoor living spaces are great for hosting parties and adding value to your home because you can use them to entertain guests. Once you've done the groundwork, and sought some expert advice, invest in patio furniture, outdoor carpets, lighting, and more to give your space an inviting atmosphere.
To add to this, you could also do some simple landscaping projects to improve your garden and make it more inviting for visitors. You don't need any special skills for these projects as they're easy enough to do yourself. By making these kinds of improvements to your house, you'll be able to improve your living space and also increase its worth.
Cleaned Up Landscaping
Garden landscaping is one of the most popular forms of outdoor gardening. Even if you don't have any land for gardening, you can still improve the look of your backyard by adding concrete walkways, a medium-sized tree, and flowering shrubs.
These sorts of improvements will cost less than $6,000, and they will pay for themselves within a few years. Landscaping can increase the value of your home if you decide at some point to put it up for sale.
Also, perennial plants planted with organic matter are extremely important because they will grow back every year and provide you with fresh flowers throughout the entire growing season. Annuals bring additional colors during their short lives and will bloom from early spring until late autumn. You can change your annual selections each year to keep up with changing seasons.
Hiring a landscaper who can offer expert advice is a good investment because it saves time and money. Many homes with some form of landscaping are worth an average of $3,000 more than homes without landscaping. On average, which means an additional value, according to some reports. Experts also suggest some of the most important things that people look for when they're buying a home is its landscaping such as if it has a sophisticated style. Plant size, tree size, and maturity are close behind.
Planting trees around the house provides shade and protect against the elements and can increase your utility bills and detract from your appearance. so, keep that in mind when you're visiting a garden center.
Outdoor Fireplace
An outdoor fireplace or firepit gives you the chance to enjoy the outdoors even during the winter months.
One of the hottest improvements homeowners can make to their backyards is installing an outdoor fireplace. It's often fueled by natural gas and has décor made from stones that are attractive and could be a centerpiece to the backyard.
Spending between $6,000 and $8,000 on an outdoor fire pit may return up to 70 percent of the investment back to you if you sell the house, experts suggest.
If you're not willing to spend a lot of money on a firepit or fireplace, you can DIY and build a fire pit yourself with items from a garden center or home center.
In the end, the added value of a fireplace or firepit helps buyers see that this home has enough space for them to enjoy regardless of the season.
Privacy Wall
Homeowners' time spent outside varies depending on their physical comfort and the degree of privacy they enjoy from neighbors. If you don't have the time or resources to install a full-length fence around your yard, there are DIY alternatives. For instance, start by using potted plants with organic matter and a trellis for privacy. Potted plants and trellised vines can also add color to your outdoor spaces.
You can also use decorative fencing — create layers of privacy by combining wrought iron, stone, and wood with fabric and greenery bought at your local garden center or by seeking expert advice.
Outdoor Kitchen
Of course, an outdoor kitchen is the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about adding value to a house. But make sure the outdoor kitchen space can be used and not just something that looks pretty and is just for the summer.
So, what does that involve? It involves a ceiling fan to enjoy a cooling breeze on hot summer days and a fireplace or firepit to heat things during those cold winter nights. Besides having enough counter space, an outdoor kitchen should have a nearby sink for cleaning up after meals and a TV hookup so guests can watch their favorite sports team play.
Deck
Because decks can increase your living space outdoors, they are recommended by those in the real estate arena. For instance, some suggest building wooden platforms for different levels of decks to create a neat environment all can enjoy.
Before building a deck, you must first determine whether you're allowed to build a deck and if so, which type of deck you want to build. You should then hire an architect or engineer to review your plans for proper spacing and support requirements.
Pool Environments
Creating a pool environment in your backyard whether its ground pools or you choose to go with the inground pool installation kind varies significantly in terms of their cost.
Gunite pools as well as inground installations with diving boards are becoming increasingly popular even for those homeowners who always said they would never have a pool.
Homeowners are also adding indoor pools so they can enjoy them if they aren't lucky enough to live in a Gold Coast area or warm weather state.
Since people are spending way more time at home, there has been an increased demand for swimming pools overall.
Part of the value quotient in a pool improvement is how long you plan to stay in your home. You aren't going to get a dollar-by-dollar return on your investment. But, if you enjoy a gunite pool or even an indoor pool for many years, and it helps sell your house when you put it up for sale, then it could be worth the cost.
Pergola/Shade Structure
A pergola is a nice backyard improvement that may add value and more space especially if a home has a large backyard.
If you have no shaded areas for sitting and enjoying a cool summer breeze after a long day's work, a pergola could be a great option for a backyard. Add some electrical outlets or a fire pit in the center to enjoy during the evenings. Some homeowners add a roof, lights, and a ceiling fan to or even more convenience.
Adding an outdoor pergola with furniture and a rug can also enhance an ordinary outdoor space. It can create a sense of peace within your backyard for entertaining and could increase your home value as this is an amenity many searches for as they continue to work from home and entertain friends and family.
Herbal Garden
Besides planting flowers and shrubs in your yard, why not be fun, and different, and add some colorful edible plants to your garden? Not only do they add some pizazz but also add flavor to your meals.
Screens on Porches
If you're a big fan of screened-in porches, why not put one in your Long Island backyard? Buyers also love them since they are nice to look at while adding extra space. They can be a simple screened structure or make an elaborate room by adding a fireplace, heater, and hidden TV.
Ask for Expert Advice
Consulting with a realtor familiar with your area to determine what makes the most sense for your home is a good idea before doing any major upgrades or additions to the backyard.
Overall, whether you plan to stay in the home in Long Island, New York for years or plan to plunk a for sale sign in the front any time soon, improving your backyard is a benefit.
It can be something that you will surely enjoy while you are living in the home and/or reap the rewards when you decide to leave and sell it.
Hopefully, these ideas should give you some inspiration for ways to make your yard a personal oasis you and yours can enjoy for many days and nights to come.