Tips for Getting Your Backyard Ready for Entertaining This Summer
Will Smith sang it best in his hit, “Summertime:”
“Sitting with your friends as y’all reminisce
About the days growing up and the first person you kissed
And as I think back, makes me wonder how
The smell from a grill could spark up nostalgia”
After more than a year cooped up in our homes and the possibility of being able to entertain guests in the backyard (thanks to the COVID vaccine being rolled out), people are looking forward to the summer this year.
The big question is, is your backyard ready to entertain? If not, we have top agent insights regarding what backyard upgrades will make a splash.
Pools
When you think of backyard entertainment, a pool is the number one upgrade homebuyers (and owners) want in their lives. Who can blame them? Pools are great fun for kids and adults and they add value to your home. Although homebuyers may be shocked when they see how much more a house with a pool could be in comparison to how much house they can afford if they used a home affordability calculator!
Lighting
Lighting solutions, such as string lights, spotlights, lanterns and recessed lights, are the second most sought after upgrade people want in their homes. The lights will give the backyard a nice glow so the party doesn’t have to end once the sun goes down! The ideal places to put the lights are around seating areas (lanterns and string lights are good options), walkways, focal points in the yard (spotlights are great for this) and so on.
Built-in grill
It’s 2021 and it’s time to throw out that old charcoal grill and upgrade to a built-in grill. A built-in grill will let the host whip up delicious meals without missing out any fun. The type of grill set up you choose can be as simple as creating a nook out of bricks or wood. But if you want to go bigger, you can create a complete outdoor kitchen space! Now how’s that for a show stopper?
Outdoor living room
An outdoor living room doesn’t mean it’s going to use the same furniture and fixtures as what’s inside the home. Instead, you’re going to create a cozy space using weather resistant furniture and cushions, enough table space to accommodate your guests, outdoor plants and even an outdoor rug if you want. If you have an overhang or covered patio, it’s even better because you can use the string lights and lanterns to create ambiance.
Space for yard games
The pool and fire pit can’t be the only source of entertainment in the backyard! You’ll want to have enough space in the yard for the kids to play and for the adults to play their own games. We like the idea of having a dedicated space for a playset or sandbox (if you have small kids) and a dedicated space for games like cornhole, horseshoes, or volleyball, to name a few.
Backyard entertainment is one of the best parts of being a homeowner. You can go outside and enjoy the weather while hosting friends and family. Plus, if you invest in a well-designed backyard with the backyard upgrades that buyers really want, you can bet that when you go to sell, you’ll get top dollar. Heck, if you were to sell in today’s market, it’s highly possible that your house will get multiple offers on the first day – some offers being even higher than asking!
How sweet is that?!