Should You Build an Outdoor Space & What to Include

Outdoor spaces are more popular than ever, and it's not just because of summer weather. Outdoor living spaces are more viable due to the fact that electronics, lighting, and comfortable furnishings are being constructed with advanced materials and using state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques. These advanced materials and state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques make appliances, devices, and better able to endure the elements. Weatherproof and wireless TVs and speakers are being incorporated into outdoor living spaces as are near-indoor quality cushions to fill out patio furniture.

The implications should be obvious, and many people are taking advantage of these advances to effectively expand the viable living floor space of their homes. The question is, should you build an outdoor living space, and if so what kind?

To answer this question we should ask whether an outdoor living space will add more value to your home than the cost to build it? We should also ask how would you use it, and would you use it enough to make it worth the time, effort, and expense of building it? But let's think through the second question before dealing with the more objective concerns implicated in the first.

Is Outdoor Home Living for You?

No matter what the climate is like where you live, there are good weather days and bad weather days, good weather hours... and bad ones. There are a lot of micro-climates in and around Louisville. The question you should answer is are there enough days of pleasant weather to justify a backyard living room? Sure, it might be nice in the summer, but it can also be muggy and buggy. There may be cool, crisp winter days, but they can turn on you in a heartbeat. While modern outdoor amenities are relatively weatherproof, that won't make sitting out in the rain any more pleasant for you.

As an extension to this question, you may spend a lot of time outdoors, but not at home. So, again, would you be getting enough use out of your outdoor sitting area to justify it?

Another thing to consider is security. Is your home remote enough, do you have the confidence in your neighborhood, or would you be willing to invest in security to prevent certain ruggedized amenities from being stolen at night or while you are away?

Finally, whether or not you will get enough use out of the space yourself, you may draft outdoor living spaces plans with the expectation of improving the overall sales value of your home, which leads us to our next question.

Does an Outdoor Living Space Add Value to a Home?

The short answer to this question is, “Yes, it does.” The average return on investment (ROI) for a patio build is 50%. That is to say, if you spend $3,000 on your outdoor covered patio, you can expect to be able to add roughly $2,500 to the resale value of your home.

To get the most ROI out of your project, you will need to stay abreast of real estate trends in your area. Know whether people are willing to pay for the outdoor living space you intend to build. Generally speaking, new home buyers don't like to get roped into paying for niche amenities they don't expect to get much use from. So, to get the most out of this kind of renovation, you should build it simply. Know that the incorporation of entertainment tech should only be for your use while you still live there. When it comes time to sell, you can offer buyers a nice patio, pool, deck, BBQ area, or other traditional outdoor spaces, and take the rest with you when you move.

Now that we've covered some of the preliminary thinking to do before building your outdoor living space, let's talk about a few of the best selling and most popular outdoor living space ideas.

6 Unbeatable Outdoor Living Space Ideas

Covered Outdoor Living Space

With retaining walls, privacy barriers, and elevated paver slabs, you can keep some wind and rain out of your outdoor setting. Adding a roof is a great idea for protecting against rain, or just adding some welcome shade. A covered patio is a great resale booster, and it's functional for added comfort all year long.

Outdoor Living Rooms

The difference between an outdoor patio and a living room is what you bring to it. A living room suggests couches, a table, and entertainment equipment. Much of this won't be sold with your home, so the equity value is limited. But if you love those cool late summer nights, it's excellent!

Outdoor Kitchen

The kitchen is a major workspace and a major living space. If you've ever prepared a big meal when the beautiful weather was calling to you, then an outdoor kitchen might be for you. Again, modern materials and techniques make this idea more realistic than ever. It might be too much work for a new buyer to go in for, but you're sure to love it.

Outdoor Grill Station

Today's propane and natural gas-powered grills are extremely durable, good-looking, and reliable. Building a dedicated grill area with a built-in grill is a great way to get the most out of those high summer months. Plus, if you build enough shelter around it, you might be able to use it all year long.

Outdoor Cooking Table

A good outdoor table is a plus for many reasons. If you're serving a large party out of your outdoor kitchen or grilling area, a nice big cooking table is going to be a great help. Who knows, it might even be able to double as a ping pong table.

Outdoor Kitchen Storage

Your outdoor kitchen area will be even more viable with some strategically placed and well-built storage units. This will help protect your more vulnerable gear and make outdoor cooking more convenient.

To learn more about your outdoor patio options and how to get the most value out of your outdoor renovation project, contact the home improvement experts at Louisville Handyman & Remodeling today.