Collaborative Post¦ There are many things that make a house a home. When you’re working on your property, you might focus on the interior of your home. After all, this is where you’ll be spending most of your time year-round.
However, there are plenty of reasons to also pay some attention to your garden space and the rest of your home’s exterior. Some of these jobs are best done before the spring and summer months, so that you can then enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Why It Matters
While you might not spend as much time outside of your home, it does have a huge effect on your quality of life. First of all, you should at least keep up with basic maintenance tasks to make sure that the structure of your property is stable and in good condition.
You should regularly check the gutters and drains, as well as the roof and plasterwork. These components all protect your property from damage and, if you let them succumb to wear and tear, your home could be subject to leaks and flooding. Neglecting a small, inexpensive job can easily lead to an expensive problem.
Not only that, but you should also think about how your home looks. Everyone wants to live somewhere nice, and nobody wants to walk up to their own home and see something unsightly or dull. It’s a simple quality of life thing. You want to be proud of where you live, and keeping the exterior nice is a part of this.
The exterior of your home also impacts its property value and curb appeal. If you intend to sell your home, it’s important to have a good first impression on any buyers. If someone is impressed before they even go inside, then they’re more likely to have a positive attitude to the rest of the house.
Your home should be unique to you and your family’s needs. Here are some ideas to consider when deciding what to do with your garden and the rest of your home’s exterior.
Off Road Parking
If you have space in front or along the side of your home that can be accessed by the road, then you have a great opportunity to install off road parking on your property. Off road parking is fantastic for a number of reasons.
First, it keeps your car safer than if you were parking it on the road. Cars parked on the road are more likely to be crashed into, vandalised, or stolen. Even keeping your vehicle on a driveway is much safer than this. If you have the chance to build and keep your car in a garage, then it will be even more secure. You will, however, also have to invest in a quality garage door to ensure that you are keeping your vehicle safe. Roller garage doors for sale from Bulldog Garage Doors are a great way to keep your garage secure and simultaneously boost your home’s kerb appeal.
Second, it’s far more convenient to park your car on your property this way. You are closer to your door, which means that wrangling children or bags of heavy shopping becomes less of a chore. Also, you can be assured that you always have somewhere to park, rather than having to hope that nobody has parked outside of your home.
Finally, off road parking is one of the best ways to boost the property value of your home. Potential buyers look for practical and attractive parking opportunities.
Your driveway can be as simple or as elaborate as you choose, as even a basic gravel driveway can look attractive and add something special to your home. You can also go for classic tiles or resin, which provides a unique touch. Keep your driveway well maintained to keep it looking nice, whether it’s for potential buyers or yourself.
Start a Vegetable Garden
If you have a sizable garden, then there are plenty of things that you can do with it. One option that’s becoming especially popular due to the recent rising cost of living is a vegetable garden. Whether you have kids or not, a vegetable garden is a great way to eat healthier and start a new hobby to encourage yourself to get outside and active. Even better, it can save money.
You can start your garden at any time of the year. Ideally, you should start small and grow it over time. Find a sunny spot of your garden that has good drainage and that your plants seem to enjoy. Here, you can create your first vegetable plot.
There are a variety of ways to start making vegetable plots. One popular method is the “no dig” plot. Here, you create a raised border and break up the soil underneath. You can then top this with soil or compost and put in whatever seeds you please.
Always research what plants you want to include and find out what would be easiest and more interesting for your family. Different vegetables thrive in different conditions, but if you put the work in, you’ll soon be rewarded with some fantastic veggies. There’s nothing quite like harvesting your own vegetables and using them in a delicious dish.
Include a Swimming Pool
If you have a lot of space in your garden, then you might as well use it for something worthwhile. There are plenty of options for what to do, but a swimming pool might be a unique and exciting idea that your family will fall in love with. Fiberglass pool shapes make them easy to install and there are plenty of shapes and designs.
True, the weather might not always be something you’d think about swimming in, but if you get a heated pool, then you can still enjoy splashing around in cooler weather. If you have children, they will adore this new addition to your garden.
A pool is a brilliant way to encourage you and your family to be more active. Swimming is a low-impact activity that is a good exercise for people of all ages and capabilities. It’s also a great deal of fun and opens you up to fantastic summer pool parties. Your pool can dramatically raise the value of your home.
However, you do need to be prepared for some of the responsibilities of owning a pool. If you have small children or pets, never let them roam unsupervised around the pool or any water feature. Here’s some pool fence inspiration for your new pool, so that you can keep it safe and attractive alike. Alternatively, you might want to consider the problem of insects, other pests or debris. Of course, you would still want to benefit from fresh air and natural light rather than completely closing yourself off from it. The solution to this is considering a Screen Enclosure for your pool!
You also need to consider the maintenance and running costs associated with your swimming pool. It’s usually more than worth the effort, but do your research and make sure it suits your lifestyle.
Extensions or Garden Rooms
Another option if you have a lot of space in your garden is to build a new structure. One popular thing for people to do is to add an extension to their home. You’re essentially sacrificing some space in your garden for an extra room or two to your house.
These rooms can be so useful for a growing family. You can add extra bedrooms, bathrooms, living space, or even a home office to help you run a business or work from home. Another option is to create a garden room or structure.
A garden room is a room that’s separate from your house. The simplest and most common option is a garden shed, which is usually used for storage. Some garden sheds are also used as workshops for handier people.
However, a garden room can be anything you want it to be, especially if you link power and plumbing to it. It could be an office out in the garden, or a summer house. You can even get rotating summer houses so you can follow the sun as it moves throughout the day (you can find out more about these on the sites of companies who offer this particular type of summer house). Alternatively, if a summer house isn’t big enough, people even set up guest houses or a place for family members to live that keeps them close while providing privacy.
No matter your situation, you should always try to make the most out of your home.
Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.