Your home is not just the space between four walls - it’s what your yard’s square footage can offer, too! Improving your outdoor space can transform how you feel about your home while increasing its value.  Outdoor remodeling projects diversify your home’s utility, increase appeal, and improve your family’s quality of life. Turn your backyard into an enjoyable extension of your home with these popular outdoor features.

According to the National Association of REALTORS® 2023 Remodeling Impact Report: Outdoor Features, 35% of consumers choose to add outdoor features to improve the livability of their space, with 68% of owners experiencing a greater desire to be in their homes after improvements are made. Some popular outdoor features include outdoor kitchens, patio/seating areas, firepits, and pools.

Elevate Your Outdoor Space

Bring the heart of your home outside, adding elements of a kitchen or living room, and watch the entertaining opportunities expand and the utility of your backyard increase. Your patio or porch will become the backdrop to family meals, parties, gatherings, and most importantly, memories. 

To create a comfortable and inviting environment while maximizing your backyard’s potential, consider these projects and improvements:

• An All-Star Kitchen: Go beyond the standard grill with an outdoor kitchen. Think countertops and workspace, storage drawers, and even an ice chest for a complete kitchen in the open air, with everything you need within reach. 
• The Backyard Bar: A bar is a stylish and convenient alternative to a full kitchen, providing a designated space for mixing drinks, entertaining guests, and enhancing your outdoor living experience.
• Seating for Every Occasion: Create a comfortable and inviting seating area with a variety of seating options: dining sets, loungers, benches, and more.
• Year-Round Enjoyment: Consider a covered porch or pergola to create a usable space year-round despite the weather. Ceiling fans and heaters can add weeks or months of use to outdoor spaces.
• Light the Night: Enjoy conversations and your space with proper lighting, like lamps, string lights, and lanterns. 
• Create Privacy: Ensure a sense of seclusion with outdoor curtains, screens, trellises with climbing plants, or other greenery.
• Tech Time: Incorporate technology like a TV and/or speakers for game days, movie nights, or enjoying music. Make sure it’s protected from the elements in case of inclement weather. 
• Cozy Touches: Don’t forget the cozy details. Just like inside your home, rugs and throw pillows can bring a soft touch to your seating area. 

Warm Up Year-Round

The addition of a firepit adds warmth and charm to any space and creates a focal point for your gatherings. From traditional wood-burning to modern gas-fueled designs, they can be the perfect element to complement your other outdoor decor. Don’t forget the cozy seating to enhance this new feature further.

Dip into Paradise

Summers in the Carolinas are generally warm, with average temperatures in the 80s and 90s. A swimming pool can transform your property into a paradise, creating a space for lounging, swimming, and entertaining neighbors, family, and friends in your backyard. The possibilities with pool design are endless, with in-ground versus above-ground, infinity edges, waterfalls, integrated hot tubs, and more. The surrounding hardscaping and landscaping also help to create an aesthetically pleasing space in your backyard for all to enjoy.

As you plan your backyard lounge space, consider how the elements will transition throughout the whole year to optimize your enjoyment. These simple upgrades will make that area just as appealing in the cold as it can be all summer. If you need a vendor for an installation or are wondering what your home’s value is, one of our local experts can help.