If you are considering a backyard upgrade this summer, it is important to do some planning first. With some effort into charting out a blueprint of the upgrade, you can proceed quickly and complete the job sooner. Here are four great ideas to get you started in the right direction.
Add a Bench-Boundary to Your Patio
If you already have a patio in your backyard, an excellent way to upgrade it is to add some more seating space. You can achieve this by simply installing a built-in bench that integrates into the patio and also doubles as a perimeter boundary. If you can make the bench a folding feature, that is all the better. A folding bench can be opened whenever you need more seating space. You can customize the bench and tailor it to the décor and aesthetics of the backyard.
Install a Fire pit
A fire pit is a great feature to add during a backyard upgrade if you don’t already have one. You have virtually endless options when it comes to a fire pit. However, you can as easily build one on your own by putting down a body of gravel and then a ring of rocks in its center. You can further make a statement by adding the gravel in a circular, square or any other shape.
Hang a Table
A hanging table is something that adds practical utility while truly standing out. You can install one on your patio or any other corner where you routinely have a seat. A hanging table is easy to add during a backyard renovation. All you need is a finished slab of wood and ropes through each corner that tie to the ceiling at the other end.
Create a Play Area for the Kids
If you have kids at your home, any backyard upgrade must include a playing area. This can be as simple as a sandbox where children can play around and have some fun with tactile creativity. Or you can make it more elaborate and add features like wood swings, bounce houses and trampolines.
A Backyard You will Enjoy!
A backyard upgrade must cater to your practical needs while adding some fun, excitement and recreation to your yard space. While the ideas above will surely liven up your backyard, you can cook up your own creativity to beautify the space and make it more useful and enjoyable for you and your family.
If you’re thinking about adding a deck to your property, your planning should take into account ROI variables. Materials, size, access, and the “wow factor” all contribute to a prospective buyer’s perception of the value added by a deck to the property. It’s worth becoming familiar with deck construction in the comparable properties in your area so you can position yours where you want to be value-wise. Another value relationship to consider is that between your deck budget and the overall value of the property. It doesn’t make ROI dollars and sense to build something too grand for the size and likely resale price of the home. One rule of thumb used by contractors and architects is that a deck should be no larger than the home’s biggest interior space.
Keep in mind, too, that adding value to your home gets the attention of the assessor and the underwriter, so your property taxes and insurance premiums are like to be increased. Like anything else built by human beings, a deck will inevitably require some maintenance and/or repair as time goes by. Good choices of materials, with expert design and construction, are the ticket to keeping those costs down and your enjoyment and ROI up.
