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Add Value to Your Outdoor Area

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Town & Country Realty

Add Value to Your Outdoor Area

Do you have a back patio that is lacking luster?  Have you had people over on cool nights and everyone would rather stay inside?  Do you walk outside and think, "This space needs something"?

If you can relate to any of the above, this article is for you.

A back patio can really increase and extend the living area in your home.  If utilized, a back deck or patio can become an extra dining room, a late night lounge, or a reading area for lazy afternoons.

According to HGTV.com it can be really easy to add value to your outdoor areas.  One easy tip would be to add benches for extra seating. 

If you are on a budget see if your city has a raw furniture outlet.  I know here in Tallahassee we have a store called "WOOD YOU".  Wood You sells solid wood un-stained or painted furniture. This is a great option if you want to match the stain to your surroundings. 

If you are feeling adventurous, you could buy a wood working book and rent some tools.  Remember, take all safety precautions, and to follow the directions in the manual.  If using power tools is not your style, see if your local home improvement store will make the necessary cuts for your project.  Then you can go home and nail the puzzle together.

If you just need to bring the space together, try buying matching planters for your plants. A great place to find planters at a discount is at Tuesday Morning.  Here you can find the same planters as you would at Lowe's for a fraction of the price.  Another way to bring the space together is to use similar or complementary fabric in your seating area.  Even if you do not own a sewing mashing, stitching  together fabric can be very simple.  Go to your local craft store and ask an attendant for help.  They should be able to help you pick the right outdoor fabric and tips on sewing the pieces together.

If adding a deck or patio you have many options.  If you currently have a concrete slab that needs some sprucing up, decorative concrete can be a very affordable option.  Alternatively, you could go with more traditional materials and use brick or flagstone.  If adding a deck see what type of material would work the best in your environment.  If the deck is going to be mainly in the sun, you may need to regularly seal the wood.  If you are concerned about splitting or cracking look into composite decking materials. 

Another way to bring life to your back yard space is to add decorative lighting.  Something as easy as Christmas lights or wall sconces can really set the mood.  If you have a bug problem, citronella torches are a hip and easy way to combat the problem.  They are so functional; they provide light while at the same time saving your guests skin from annoying bug bites.

If you have any questions about adding value to your back yard, please feel free to contact me at sarah@ringtherivers.com.

Good Luck!

 www.fineliving.com

www.hgtv.com