Outdoor oasis
With the promise of summer, and the festive season just around the corner, it’s time to maximise the potential of your outdoor area.
Whether you have a porch, patio or pool, there’s plenty you can do to improve your outdoor experience at home and add value when it comes time to sell.
Take a seat
It is time to liberate your outdoor furniture from storage, and make any necessary repairs to torn upholstery and treat fading wooden pieces to a moisturising coat of oil. If your outdoor furniture has seen better days, it may be time to give yourself an early Christmas gift and invest in a new set. Think carefully about how you use your outdoor areas. Consider a table and chairs for al fresco dining, sun loungers for beside the pool, outdoor bean bags made from quality nautical fabric, and occasional stools and coffee tables for relaxing in the shade. Then consider the various configurations that best allow for high traffic areas, and designate different zones with an outdoor rug.
Clear the decks
Attending to maintenance at the beginning of the season will stand you in good stead for the rest of summer so you can fully enjoy the good life at home. If you have a timber deck or porch, a fresh lick of paint or stain will revitalise these spaces. Hiring a water blaster from your local home depot is an easy and effective way to refresh concrete patios, driveways and paths. If you have a pool, now is the time to ensure all the pumps are working and the pool chemicals are balanced.
Green fingers
It’s that time of year to get planting and re-potting to create the ultimate lush outdoor oasis. Potted plants, shrubs, herbs and flowers can add a burst of colour to otherwise unadorned spaces, and, if space is at a premium, walled or vertical gardens can be created with relative ease to camouflage unsightly fences. Hang trailing plants in baskets or woven macramé hangers to add interest and soften architectural features.
Entertainer's dream
For more substantial, long-lasting additions that will completely transform your outdoor living spaces, you may wish to enlist the services of a seasoned landscape architect. Choose a company that offers the complete design package, from plant selection, to hardscaping, to installation of pergolas, louvres, swimming pools, built-in barbeques and outdoor fireplaces. Or, for the Kiwi DIY approach, there are fabulous design blogs to browse where you’ll find endless inspiration to spark your creativity.
EXPERT TIP: Keep an immaculate lush lawn all year round with a smart automated mowing system, or for smaller areas consider laying artificial grass, which looks as good as the real thing with no maintenance or watering required.
0800 500 123 | mikepero.com
Mike Pero Real Estate Ltd Licensed REAA (2008)
