Having constant exposure to nature provides many physical, mental, and emotional benefits, so much that spending enough time outside is essential to one’s well-being. However, you don’t have to go far from your home just to get your one-on-one time with Mother Nature. Sometimes, all it takes is to just step outside your door and bask in the sunlight.
But what if you can modify your property in a way that brings you closer to nature? Sure, having a good-sized backyard can be good enough. Still, there are many ways you can improve your home and its surrounding property to make spending time outdoors a lot more enjoyable. One of the best ones is to invest in a home upgrade that is specifically designed to help you build a closer connection with nature, such as:
1. A Garden Room
A garden room can mean a lot of things. It can be an extension of your home, and it can also be a standalone structure in your garden. Depending on the garden room interior design you want, it can also double as a sunroom, a guest house, an indoor Zen garden, or perhaps even a small greenhouse. Regardless of the function you want to achieve, a garden room is meant to be an extension of your home, only that it lets you see more of the outdoors while you’re inside.
In any case, a garden room can be the perfect outdoor getaway—without actually being outdoors. With floor-to-ceiling windows (and even a glass roof, if you want), you get to see all the greenery all while staying comfortable and not having to worry about the elements ruining your furniture.
2. A Greenhouse
If you’re a green thumb, building a greenhouse on your property can be an excellent investment. Whether you want to keep your decorative plants healthy all year round or try your hand at growing seasonal vegetables, a greenhouse provides a controlled environment that allows you to grow practically anything you want—regardless of its seasonality.
Furthermore, a greenhouse can also double as a space for you to relax no matter the weather outside. By adding a few pieces of comfortable furniture, you can have a cozy spot all to yourself where you can unwind amongst your plants.
3. A Deck
If you don’t have one already, a deck is one of the best outdoor additions to a property—and it can also be very inexpensive to build. Aside from that, building a deck in your backyard adds value to your property, as well as appeals to future homebuyers when you eventually decide to sell your house.
Most importantly, a deck provides a versatile space for outdoor activities. You can use it as an outdoor living room, an exercise area, a place to entertain guests, or even a small garden area. There are also a lot of deck materials you can choose from, but traditional wood is typically the best choice for most homes.
4. A Gazebo
A gazebo is a small to medium-sized outdoor structure, typically situated far from the house itself, that makes for a great living area. Aside from using it as an outdoor living room, you can also turn your gazebo into a playhouse, a spa shelter, a potting shed, a fitness area, and many more. If you want a more luxurious feel, you can also put a hot tub under your gazebo to give you a space to relax in the bubbles with more privacy.
Furthermore, you can also increase your gazebo’s privacy by installing trellises along the sides or growing crawling plants for added coverage.
5. A Fire Pit
Among the many options for outdoor home upgrades, many homeowners choose to build a fire pit in their backyard to make outdoor time more enjoyable. With a fire pit, you have a warmer and more ambient space for entertaining guests, spending time with family, or simply sitting and watching the flames flicker.
6. Outdoor Kitchen
An outdoor kitchen is a significant lifestyle upgrade, which means that it might be costly upfront, but it makes for a great addition to your outdoor space. Aside from functioning as a traditional kitchen, an outdoor kitchen also lets you grill, keep cooking fumes outside, and make backyard parties a lot more fun.
Conclusion
These are just some of the major outdoor upgrades you can make to your home, but they are, by far, some of the best and most value-adding. Thus, if you’re looking for a way to bring yourself and the rest of the family closer to nature, these are the best options to choose from.
