Improving your outdoor living space will not only make your home more comfortable and enjoyable, but it can also greatly raise the value of your property. Outdoor living areas offer an extension of your indoor living space or an additional place for entertaining and relaxation, and there are countless ways you can liven up your backyard to create a perfect outdoor living space.

Related: 5 Home Trends to Watch for in 2016 and 4 Tips for Making Your Custom Home Build Easier.

Whether your backyard needs a complete overhaul or just some sprucing up, you must think of your backyard as an extension of your indoor living areas. Keep reading and we’ll tell you 5 ways to have the best looking outdoor living space in the neighbourhood.

1. Landscaping: If it’s spring, consider planting flowers or investing in small shrubs or trees. Speak with the gardening department at your local Home Depot to find the right balance of cost and what will be hearty with the soil in your area through the change of seasons. An attractive and well-maintained landscape can add huge value to your home.
2. Patios or Decks: In order to have indoor-outdoor flow, you need some place to relax and enjoy your yard. A patio or deck is a good start. There are lots of options to make your outdoor space as welcoming and comfortable as your indoor rooms: Built-in space heaters can warm you warm well into the night, lighting for tasks and ambience can be turned on the push of a button, and fully automated underfoot heating will even react to the weather.
3. Fireplaces And Fire Pits: A fireplace indoors exudes coziness and encourages friends and family to gather around and cuddle in close. The same thing happens with a fireplace or fire pit outdoors. A fire feature turns a patio into a gathering place. It offers warmth and light, the hypnotizing allure of crackling wood and dancing flames.
4. Furniture: One great way to spruce up your outdoor space is by bringing favourite indoor features outside. In particular, incorporating furniture into your deck or patio plan is a great way to facilitate outdoor entertaining. If outdoor couches are not quite your style, consider redecorating with a wool rug, rocker or other items you might find in a living room space. Not into outdoor furniture? Rustic swings are the perfect addition to any outdoor space.
5. Power Washing: If the paint on your house looks good, but it hasn’t been power washed in over five years, get a quote or a referral. The same goes for your windows. Both help to increase your curb value. If you are particularly handy, you may be able to complete the job yourself with the right equipment.

We hope you enjoyed our tips on how to improve your outdoor living space. Is there anything else that you think would make for an overall better back or front yard? We look forward to reading your comments.