Have you thought about transforming your outdoor space into a living space? No need to add on another room; extend where you live and enjoy eating, drinking, and just being in the outdoor area of your property.

If you've already done so, maybe it's time for an upgrade, as our long Ohio winters can take a toll on our home's exterior areas. It may be high time for a redo of your patio or outdoor dining area/kitchen. What's more, if you're thinking of listing your home among Beavercreek homes for sale, an upgrade will help boost your home's value.

Our REALTORS® got busy compiling some of the best tips for upgrading your outdoor area.

1. Add a source of fire.
   A source of fire is a real attractant for you and your guests. Even on a warmish evening, it can be fun just to watch the embers as a source of light, although you'll probably get the most out of it in the fall, early winter, and spring. So which type of fire source? If your budget and the layout of your property allow, you can go full size with a sleek, elegant fireplace. If that's not realistic, go for a firepit, or even a chiminea. 
   
   
2. Create a focal point.
   Just like an indoor room, your outdoor living space needs a focal point. Once you've created a focal point -- be it a fireplace, a multi-level rock fountain, or even a special flower bed — your other furnishings should support it. 
   
   
3. Add some pizzazz to your cooking area.
   Maybe you have a full-scale, modern outdoor kitchen. Or maybe you have an elderly gas grill, a mini-fridge, and a table and stools. Regardless, you can jazz up your kitchen in some simple ways. How about a grill that's as eye-catching as it is functional? Like the Big Green Egg, for instance. These versatile grills aren't just fun to cook on but look great as well. If you like your old grill just fine, look into some new cookware, some snazzy  outdoor kitchen dishes, or a set of nice knives to display
   
   
4. Shield your entertainment area.
   Rather than installing a fence, try shielding your entertainment area from neighbors' view, or that of passersby, by other means. Use container shrubs and trees, or maybe a pergola with a vine, all strategically placed. Put your containers on top of rolling platforms with casters so you can easily move them around as needed.
   
   
5. Use pots with plants to create color.
   Your kitchen may be all sleek, gleaming steel with neutral-colored furniture for dining and relaxing, but you want to enliven the grays, browns, and off-whites with some splashes of color. You might do that with a generous helping of pillows in bold summer shades, but your best bet is with colorful containers — big, medium, and small — replete with trees, shrubs, and bedding plants. Be generous with those colorful annuals; pull them up and replace them as the season changes.
   
   
6. Add a garden cart.
   You may have maxed out with terra firma so more garden beds are a no show; but hey, there are other ways to garden up all that concrete you poured for a patio or walkways. A garden cart is the ideal means to display a mini garden of annuals, perennials, and a dwarf shrub. How about a Meyer Lemon? Yum! Wheel the card where needed, and it's got multiple levels for clever arrangements. 

Our knowledgeable real estate staff can help you find expert sources to improve your property. Ready to list? Contact Wright-Patt Realty.