Whether you’re buying a new Middletown custom home or simply renovating your present home, don’t forget to include your outdoor space in your plans. If you and your family enjoy spending time outdoors, renovations that allow you to spend time outside can increase your enjoyment with your home. 

French Doors Leading Outside

Ask your homebuilding contractor to include a set of French doors that lead to your back yard. When the weather is good, you’ll be able to open them, go outside and have a picnic or just enjoy the breezes coming into your family room. 

When the weather isn’t conducive to opening those doors (winter, anyone?), you’ll be able to look out on your back yard and enjoy a little nature without bringing the cold temperatures and wind inside. 

Convert that Garden Shed into a Guest Room or Home Office

If you have an old garden shed taking up space in your back yard, don’t forget about renovating it so that it becomes an integral part of your time out-of-doors. Have you always wished for a reading, writing or art retreat? Or an out-of-the-way spot for your children to play? That garden shed could take on a whole new lease on life.

Now is the time to put your plans into action. Show the shed to your contractor and see if he (or she) can create something new for you. After all, you don’t have to tear it down. Just replace worn-out wood and renovate the interior, then turn it into the retreat you and your family have always wanted. 

Turn Your Deck Into Extra-Comfortable Eating Space

Got a deck attached to your house? Do you spend much time out there during the warm summer months? By designing some imaginative additions to your deck, you can add to the uses to put it to. 

Aside from any tables and chairs you may have out there, think about having a sturdy rail with a bar on top. Voila! Now you have extra room for guests when they come to visit. When you throw steaks and veggies on the grill, all your guests will be able to enjoy the meal and good times. 

Pay Attention to Landscaping for an Attractive Outdoor Environment

As you think about building or renovating your home, don’t forget about the environment outside. That is, look at the grounds around your home.

If you have dead, yellow spots in your lawn, old trees that should be cut down and removed or dead plants and shrubs taking up space, you need to take care of all of these issues. Once your home is complete, you’ll be able to enjoy the outside as much as you do the inside of the house. 

Think about what you can do with the space outside. By adding pavers that lead from the front, side or back doors, you’ll create pathways to your grill or your children’s play area. What kind of landscaping do you want? Grass and sturdy shrubs? Flowerbeds filled with colorful blooms? A restful area where you can set up an umbrella table and chairs so you and your family can relax in the evenings? The possibilities are endless, as long as your imagination isn’t.