A property can have more than just the house and its front and back yards. Many American homeowners agree that not only is having a yard important, but so is lawn care. This goes beyond mowing the lawn; landscaping is a major industry today, and landscape design can include nearly anything from an outdoor fireplace to a wooden deck to a swimming pool, and that’s just the man-made items. Natural features such as a koi fish pond, apple trees, flower gardens, and shrubs can make a lawn beautiful, and trees have other proven benefits to offer. On top of all this, a well-designed front or back yard can boost a property’ value and appeal on the real estate market. How might a homeowner create fine outdoor living spaces with an outdoor fireplace and furniture?
Why Landscaping
Landscaping companies can easily be found in nearly any city or town, and homeowners today have plenty of reasons to hire them for their services. Around 90% of all real estate agents agree that homeowners should invest in some landscaping before they sell a home, and 97% of real estate agents place landscaping in their top five ways to improve a property overall. Many surveyed Americans agree that a nice lawn is a big deal; 83% of Americans say that having a yard is important, and 90% of those who own a yard say that it should be maintained well. On top of that, nearly 75% of all surveyed adults feel that it is important to spend quality time in their yards. And landscaping makes financial sense, too; it has been found that spending as little as 5% of a property’s value on landscaping can yield an ROI, or return on investment, as high as 150%. A home with great landscaping can get a higher selling price on the real estate market, and these properties tend to sell faster, too. What might some fine landscaping look like?
An Outdoor Fireplace and Kitchen
Some landscaping work involves man-made items, some of which are meant to duplicate a room in the house. It’s not uncommon for homeowners to create an open-air kitchen or living room in their back yards, especially when they have a wooden deck or a patio to act as the floor. What might this look like? Sometimes, an outdoor living room may be built, including an outdoor fireplace. An outdoor fireplace may resemble a masonry fireplace in the house, except that it is free-standing. It can contain a log fire, and this can be popular for warmth in autumn or even toasting food or just the aesthetics of a fire. This fireplace doesn’t have to stand alone; an entire outdoor living room can be built around it. This can include furniture designed for outdoor use, such as wooden or plastic timber-built lawn chairs or loveseats. Other outdoor furniture might even have fabric upholstery, designed to be tough enough to withstand the elements. These couches and chairs may have covers placed on them to help protect them from the elements.
Some homeowners also opt to build an outdoor kitchen, which is just what it sounds like. A fully furnished kitchen with gas, electric, and water utilities can be set up, and it may include a sink, stove, and much more. This kitchen can be used to prepare lunches and dinners for outdoor parties, and there will probably be a table or bench where everyone can sit. In summer or spring, it might also be a good idea to set up mesh nets that can keep away flies, mosquitoes, and wasps.
Greenery
Landscaping can involve nature, too. A tree, for example, not only looks nice but can also help protect the home and the air around it. Trees are natural air filters, able to absorb dust and carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. And in sunny, warm weather, these trees can help shade the home to keep it cool, and they can also act as wind breaks to reduce wind chill during winter. Shrubs can also look attractive and help filter the air, and many homeowners even grow flower or vegetable gardens in their yards. Wire mesh can be set up to help protect vegetables from rabbits or raccoons while the gardener is away.