Creating the perfect area for outdoor entertainment in your home is an exciting project that can significantly enhance your lifestyle and increase your property’s value.
18.07.2024 - 16:15 / thespruce.com / Barbara Bellesi Zito
While you can decorate and enjoy a private backyard just the way you like—or at least within the confines of an HOA’s rules—the elements of a shared courtyard or patch of grass should consider the group rather than the individual homeowners.
«While some may not find this ideal, fostering a sense of community in these shared outdoor spaces can provide a sense of enjoyment,» says Joe Raboine, VP of Design at Oldcastle APG, parent company of Belgard
Here are some tips on how to make the most of communal space.
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Privacy in a shared space? Raboine says it’s possible by installing shade structures that create barriers in open areas like pergolas, which can often be customized.
“You also can add landscaping elements to create an element of privacy, such as taller shrubs or grasses,” he says. “This adds the benefit of having more plant life in your outdoor space.”
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Elements that put the fun in function are key, says Raboine.
“Create comfortable seating areas, like built-in benches, that are both appealing for the property and can help foster connections between neighbors,” he explains.
If it’s safe to add them, fire pits are a great way to enhance a central gathering space, Raboine adds.
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If you belong to an HOA, security features might already be taken care of for common areas. But if not, you and the neighbors might want to consider adding elements like extra lighting and security cameras.
For one outdoor security project, Pat Ahern, CMO of Security Explorer, and his staff worked with a residential community whose shared courtyard had been avoided after dark for safety. They placed lighting near the seating areas and lined pathways with motion-sensor lights.
Creating the perfect area for outdoor entertainment in your home is an exciting project that can significantly enhance your lifestyle and increase your property’s value.
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