Tag Archives: decks

Making Your Outdoor Space Valuable

Your outside space is so valuable, especially if you live in the northern regions, as our time outdoors is so limited. Whether you are selling or dwelling, that space is valuable. It’s valuable to you for your enjoyment whether it is a small quiet place to curl up with a book or a large space to gather with friends and family.

It is valuable if you are selling as buyers can see how the house extends outward. It isn’t technically square footage but you better bet a nice outdoor space brings value to a buyer emotionally. This applies to decks, patios, and front porches.

My number one advice: TREAT THE OUTDOOR SPACE LIKE YOU DO YOUR INDOOR SPACE

  • KEEP IT CLEAN: Pressure wash or do a good scrub down in the Spring. Paint or stain any chipped areas. Brush off any cobwebs and leaves regularly.

Clean patio

 

  • USE AN OUTDOOR RUG: Rugs add a sense of warmth just like in your living room. It also defines a conversation area and can add color and pattern. Make sure it is an outdoor rug that will resist fading and dry quickly after a rain shower.

 

outside

 

  • BEING OUTSIDE DOESN’T PRECLUDE USING TEXTURE: There are so many fun outdoor fabrics that are water and sun damage resistant. Add in throw pillows and even an outdoor poof so you can put your feet up!

Pouf

 

  • DON’T FORGET TO ACCESSORIZE: Just like any other room in your home, accessories add the style and pizzazz to a space. Weather safe candles, lanterns, and even lamps. Yes I have a weather safe table lamp and floor lamp on my patio that I never bring in until winter hits! It feels so much like a true living room.

 

IMG_3989

 

Your outdoor space is valuable for so many reasons. Take the time to make it stylish! It’s nature so mix an abundance of color, pattern and texture. Have fun and enjoy your outdoor space!

 

Outdoor Spaces When You Are Selling Your Home

It’s finally summer and with the brutal winter that occurred throughout most of the upper Midwest and beyond, people want to be outside. When working with sellers, one of the things I advise them on during a Home Staging Consultation is to treat almost any outdoor living space as additional square footage.

I know it is not counted towards the square footage total in valuing your home, but many buyers gravitate towards the outdoor spaces and you need to give them priority.

Whether it is a deck, patio, screened in porch or front porch, they all need to be addressed.

With a front porch it is the first thing the buyer sees and it creates such a homey, cozy spot that they can see themselves enjoying quiet time with a cup of tea or a book and watching the world go by.  wicker-furniture-on-the-patio-with-a-samovar

If it is a back deck or patio it invites them to spend a balmy summer night barbecuing with friends, making s’mores with kids or taking a nap.

outdoor dining table

 

 

These areas should have flowers but also furniture. A dining table perhaps, chairs for gathering, and don’t forget the throw pillows!! Outdoor throw pillows can be purchased anywhere for very little dollars and they add fun, zest and ambiance.

 

Okay okay you don’t need as many as me. LOL

Outdoor Throw Pillows

 

Take a look at your outdoor space and get it in top selling condition along with the rest of your home; and don’t forget to keep it spider and cobweb free. 🙂

 

Outdoor chairs