Your home really is the biggest investment you’ll ever make financially, and so it makes sense to use every part of it. So, along with making use of all of the bedrooms, attic space, garage, etc and getting storage in the bedrooms and living spaces, it’s well worth thinking about your outdoor space too. If you have any land or gardens that are attached to your home, why not have a think about the best ways they can be used? Here are a few ideas if you’ve recently moved into a new home, or are just looking to maximise what you have.
Parking
Many homes were built before most families had a car, let alone a number of cars. That can mean that in many streets it’s ended up being parking chaos where everyone fights for a spot. It can cause all kinds of neighbour disagreements, and many people complain that they’re not able to get a parking spot outside their own home. If you have no drive but you do have a front garden, it can be well worth using that space. Block paved or tarmac driveways can be a practical way to solve the street parking issue, and you can still keep a strip of lawn or add plants around the perimeter to keep the kerb appeal of your home. Even if you have to remove all of the greenery, you could go with things like hanging baskets on the walls or trellises to bring back a bit of that natural greenery. It can be worth it for how practical a driveway is.
Outbuildings
If you’re struggling for space in your home but have room outside, then adding outbuildings could be the way to go. Unlike extending, you usually don’t need planning permission, and it can be a cheap way to add something like an office, a guest bedroom, a studio or a teenage hangout to your home without having lots of building work done. Garden rooms are fully insulated and can be fitted with heating and electrics, so they aren’t just like sitting in a draughty old shed.
Growing/self-sufficiency
Another way to make the best use of your outdoor space is to use it for growing things or keeping animals like chickens. Having your own mini allotment in the garden can be a fantastic hobby that keeps you fit and also saves you money on fresh food. You don’t have to be majorly green-fingered either, something as simple as a little herb garden or some hanging baskets will strawberry plants will do well without much care through the warmer months. If you want to go a step further, then have a greenhouse or growing tent fitted so you can extend the growing season further. If you’re able to keep chickens, again, this can be a great hobby and also means fresh eggs, too. Lots of people pay good money to have an allotment space to be able to grow things, so if you’re lucky enough to have access to space in the garden, then why not make the most of it? If you start by seeing it as a hobby, by the time you’re able to grow things and save money, then that will be a bonus.
How have you made the most of the outdoor space at your home?
