One of the hottest trends in home remodeling is to create an outdoor living space. Many homeowners are spending more time exercising, cooking, entertaining, and simply relaxing outdoors – and they want to enjoy the same conveniences and comforts they have indoors. In fact, in recent years, adding an outdoor room has become the second-most popular home remodeling project – following kitchen renovation.

If you are planning to enhance your outdoor living space, here are some tips that will help you select projects that yield the highest return for your investment.

Patio – Dress up a plain patio by installing pavers, which come in a variety of styles and colors to match your house. And make sure that your patio is covered to provide protection from the elements.

Deck – Enlarging your deck or enhancing it with a new railing can increase the value of your home. Consider such luxurious touches as wrought iron balusters, decorative centerpieces and post caps.

Outdoor fireplace – Although this is a popular feature, it can be expensive to add a built-in fireplace outdoors. You may be better off purchasing a portable fire pit, which can create a warm, cozy atmosphere for a fraction of the cost.

Other amenities – An inground swimming pool can increase the value of your home by as much as eight percent. A hot tub and outdoor cooking area with a grill, sink and refrigerator are also popular features to add.

Need more outdoor space? If you’re looking for a home that fits your family’s changing needs, I am here to help. Contact me today.