Tips For Springtime Improvements To Your Outdoor Living Space

Washington, DC | Northern Virginia | Maryland

Chances are good that wherever you live, Spring has sprung!  The daffodils may be in bloom, and you may even have a fruit tree that looks like pink cotton candy right about now.  Most of us have even felt the urge to start turning over the soil and planting. Before we dive right into spring there are a few areas where we can pay some special attention and in return we will get the most bang for our buck in visual impact.

When we view the front of our home from across the street, and with the eye of a home buyer, we may see things that don’t stand out so clearly when we are up close.  Grab a pad and take some notes on improvements that you can make to start the season off right.  Start with those things that are most obvious from across the street.

Landscaping

Curb appeal is often as important to you as it would be to any prospective home buyer so start by making sure your landscaping is neat, clean and pleasing to the eye.  The early flowers of spring are enjoyed by everyone so a bulb garden is an easy way to ensure a splash of color each year. Plants and flowers are the best way to bring life to your outdoor space. Don’t overlook your lawn and its health because it is probably the most eye-catching feature in front of many homes.  Now is the time of year to feed the lawn as well as perform its yearly maintenance.

Keep in mind that a well-designed yard can add value to your home but a poorly designed landscape that has no “flow” could actually hurt your home’s curb appeal and value.

Outdoor Living Space

It’s not just a deck with a table and a few stackable chairs anymore. Today’s deck, patio and outdoor living spaces are more comfortable with a focus on making family and friends want to linger.  The table and chairs have been replaced with couches, chaise lounges and fire-pit tables.  The effect is warm and cozy.  Add splashes of color with bright throw pillows and hanging baskets of flowers.  Many outdoor spaces also include a place for cooking and eating and some are a real extension of your indoor kitchen, including all the necessary accouterments.  Another appreciated addition includes built-in sound systems and even outdoor televisions.

It has been reported that you can expect to recoup more than half, and sometimes much more, of the investment you made in your outdoor living space when you sell your home.

When you consider that you will realize an increase in house value of about 10%, on average, just with an investment in good quality landscape design, you can understand the real value.

If you have been thinking about patio & landscape design services for your home, we would like to invite you to contact us and let us introduce you to our design process.