What to do with the space next to the alfresco area?

7 years ago

I am selling this house and the outdoor furniture has been stolen, so we have been left with a blank space next to the alfresco area which is nicely paved but so blank and bare now without furniture. Potential buyers are really struggling to get creative with this space, I was thinking about how we could enclose the area and include an outdoor kitchen or something? What do people think?

Featured Answer

PRO

MUSE modern interiors

7 years ago

How about putting the lounge back under cover, and putting the small table and chairs back inside. To add some interest to the side area perhaps buying or borrowing an garden bench (masters are going out of business may pick up a bargain) or Kmart have the replica Accapulco chair sets for less than $80 for 2 and putting up a large cantilever umbrella, some colourful cushions, which complement the existing cushions, or just spread the cushions up between the two areas to create a connection between the separate seating spaces. Add a couple large planters with advanced plants (these can be hired or gumtree is great for people giving away plants such as agaves or kentia palms or draecenas or even yukkas) maybe a small outdoor table, a couple of magazines, throw a colourful towel over the bench or chairs and dressing the area with some glasses and bubbly to create another entertainment area for the home opens? cheap and cheerful for a little more impact. PS sorry about the thieves.. people can be so awful... and cheeky! I hope this helps. cheers K

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (13)

Ann B
7 years ago
Hi. How awful about the theft. I'm very sorry to hear that. I had immediately thought you needed a much larger table and chairs, until I read about the theft. I don't know if it's worth the expense of enclosing the area and installing an outdoor kitchen. Maybe get a couple of quotes and then ask your real estate agent for advice about that. In any case, immediately you could place a few large potted plants (tall plants) and maybe bring the outdoor furniture into this area.
haephestus
7 years ago
If you're selling, I wouldn't spend a LOT of money enclosing the area and installing an outdoor kitchen.

To be honest, I doubt a genuine buyer would be turned off the property simply because they can't imagine putting a couple of pool lounges or other furniture in that space.

Maybe look at hiring some furniture from a staging company, but check the terms of the agreement to see who is responsible for any stolen furniture.
Related Discussions
Green smart ideas for an Australian alfresco area
Q
Comments (3)
Using deciduous trees or vines is a very good idea if they lose their old leaves and gain their new growth at convenient times. Some deciduous plants hang on for too long into late autumn/winter and thus exclude that warming sunshine. Conversely, some regain their new growth early in Spring cutting short the length of time your passive solar design benefits from direct sunlight. Look around your area carefully and study the habits of various trees and climbers. This is a good time to do that. If you live in a cool climate you need a tree that loses all its leaves early and doesn't hurry to regrow again. If you're in a warmer climate you need a tree that loses its leaves late and gets them back early.
...See More
Which Alfresco Design
Q
Comments (6)
Whichever you choose, think about how you are going to allow northern light into the living/dining/kitchen area in winter. A roof or permanent shade will reduce northern light and make those areas cold and dark. If you live in a heating climate (where its cold for much of the year) such as Melbourne, Canberra or Hobart it would be wise to consider shading your outdoor area with something like a retractable pergola, a Vergola or similar, retractable awning, shade sails (that can be removed in winter), a steel pergola with a deciduous vine or a deciduous tree. Personally I think the smaller outdoor area is too small if you plan to use it to cook on a BBQ and entertain guests. Fine if you want to sit outside with the newspaper and a cuppa. It also depends on how you plan to use the garden. Veggie patch, kid’s play area, dog run, tinkering on a project, reading a book in a hammock, chicken coup, entertaining, something I haven’t thought of?
...See More
Fan or pendant light for our alfresco area?
Q
Comments (7)
Personally I would go with a fan because in summer when the mozzies or the flies are out having a fan on is useful for comfort. A light will just draw mosquitos in. If you want a nice hanging feature you can always suspend an object D'Art in a corner out there to give the same impression. Or you can screen your alfresco area in and enjoy a pendant light. I have the same thing on my house a beautiful alfresco area that I've decided to screen in for several reasons, one being the insects. Nothing worse than being eaten alive during a dinner party and needing to move the party indoors as a result.
...See More
Open plan living area - two different spaces - what lounge colour
Q
Comments (2)
This article may help https://www.decoraid.com/blog/interior-design-style/eclectic-style/
...See More
bigreader
7 years ago
How awful for you.
I'd look at buying a second hand outdoor setting. Team it with a huge outdoor rug and some lovely cushions.

You'd need to put the furniture away between showings. Could the agent assist with this if you're not local? Most agents have a handyman on the books who shouldn't charge much.

Looks a lovely area, good luck selling.
Gioenne Rapisarda
7 years ago
Built in kitchen is a BIG investment! What has your agent said?
robandlyn
7 years ago
Just DON'T let any prospective buyers know the furniture was stolen - they will think it is a bad area! I think hiring some furniture from a staging company is a good idea.
Gioenne Rapisarda
7 years ago
Good point robandlyn!
georgi02
7 years ago
Be a bit careful before replacing the outdoor furniture with expensive items - thieves often have a first go, then come back a few weeks later knowing that they'll get another haul with this second haul being new! (low lives!). Think about putting up security signage as a deterrent- unfortunately house showings are prime time for thieves to scope out a home. If potential buyers ask about security your agents says "I'm not sure, there's signage...".

I'd go shopping for second hand table and chairs that you can fix up cheaply (a coat of paint/stain is easy) or even some el cheapo trestles from the local hardware store and then jazz it up with coloured runners/placemats and outdoor plates/glasses when you're doing your open house - the buyers need a narration that they can insert themselves into easily - remembering that a lot of home buys have 30 minutes allocated to see your property and that's not enough time for them to be "creatively visioning their life in your home". I'd also put some large pots with seasonal colour and invest in some LED curtain lighting on hooks that they see can be put up/pulled down (for Christmas/parties) - it'll give buyers a lifestyle image in which they can see themselves entertaining family and friends. If you can borrow an outdoor umbrella for the seating area and some outdoor beanbags for by the pool you'll be on a winner that you can easily pack up and not have spent a fortune on.
Tribbletrouble44152k7 Trek
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
The agent should be getting driver license numbers or similar before showings to make it easy for police to track down thieves, and also to deter them.

Agree about the security signage, they don't cost much. Get the ones with cameras on them. Run low energy lights all night.
PRO
Cordony Group
7 years ago
Hi Adam,

Option 1: Larger furniture pieces will make the space feel less sparse. We are a Property Styling business in Sydney and can definitely help you out with hiring outdoor furniture if you are interested. The middle coffee table for 2 could be switched out to an outdoor dining table since you have the space to make more of a statement.

Tulloh Street, Willoughby · More Info

Crana Avenue East Lindfield · More Info
40 Elgin Street Gordon · More Info

McIntyre St, Gordon · More Info
Option 2: We love the idea of an outdoor kitchen! It will create some division in the open space to make it seem cosier as well as creating another chill out zone.

High Street, Willoughby · More Info
High Street, Willoughby · More Info
Contact us if you would like to know more: info@cordonydesigns.com.au
User
7 years ago
I would just really liven up the place... Make it feel like a place for entertaining and a bit of a party. :)
User
7 years ago
Get some dwarf fruit trees and place the round the place. Add a umbrella and some party lights.
Danville · More Info
User
7 years ago
You need some green. Putting some fruit trees in pots is a great way to do this and you can take them with you when u leave