Styling to Sell: Upscale Your Outdoor Area for a Quick Sale
Create beautiful outdoor living spaces that inspire your buyers ... and discover how to avoid the most common 'underselling' traps
Deb Lindner
7 October 2014
Houzz contributor. Deb's design career really began at age nine, when she told her mother that her lilac walls really did NOT match her olive green carpet, and things needed to change. She was right. Ever since that day Deb has been designing everything with a passion. She worked as a graphic designer for 16 years in Melbourne (working with multinational companies on 'big brand' packaging). Her clients included Gillette, Kraft, Cussons and Orlando Wyndham.
In 2008 Deb was looking for a new challenge and discovered the wonderful world of property styling - and Mink Home Staging was born. Then in 2011 she founded The Australian Institute of Home Stagers. She lives in Brisbane (in a Queenslander of course) with her husband, 2 kids and an assortment of pets.
Houzz contributor. Deb's design career really began at age nine, when she told her... More
Whether you have a small or large outdoor space to work with, it’s important that you showcase it by creating the perfect outdoor oasis. More than ever, people look at decks and verandahs as extensions of their homes that get used every day for entertaining and family life – and maximising this area is one of the most effective ways to add value to your property. The following points can help you get the best price possible for your house.
Location, location, location
What is the best selling point of your garden? A fabulous pool? Large, lush lawn? Is your house in a beautiful bushland setting?
Step one when styling outdoor living spaces to sell is identifying the best selling feature your propert offers … and then really showing off that feature!
Ask yourself these questions.
What is the best selling point of your garden? A fabulous pool? Large, lush lawn? Is your house in a beautiful bushland setting?
Step one when styling outdoor living spaces to sell is identifying the best selling feature your propert offers … and then really showing off that feature!
Ask yourself these questions.
- How can I position outdoor furniture to really highlight this selling point?
- What distractions do I need to remove?
Take the inside out
It’s no secret Australians love outdoor living spaces, so we must really get these spaces right before hitting the market.
A big mistake I see sellers make time and time again is to think of their deck or verandah as ‘just an extra outdoor area’. They are massively underselling their homes. Instead, think strategically about the outdoor spaces your home offers, and create clever, zoned living spaces – distinct dining areas, lounge areas and extra sitting nooks. In some cases this will double the overall living space your home offers, and buyers love this!
It’s no secret Australians love outdoor living spaces, so we must really get these spaces right before hitting the market.
A big mistake I see sellers make time and time again is to think of their deck or verandah as ‘just an extra outdoor area’. They are massively underselling their homes. Instead, think strategically about the outdoor spaces your home offers, and create clever, zoned living spaces – distinct dining areas, lounge areas and extra sitting nooks. In some cases this will double the overall living space your home offers, and buyers love this!
Show your buyers the small living spaces they don’t see
Every extra living space you ‘create’ outside adds value to your home when selling. So look for every opportunity to show buyers the ‘invisible living rooms’ – otherwise your buyers will simply look past them.
By adding a beautiful butterfly chair to this small timber deck, it has instantly been transformed into a lovely spot to relax and read a book, enjoy a quiet glass of wine, or simply soak up the sun.
Every extra living space you ‘create’ outside adds value to your home when selling. So look for every opportunity to show buyers the ‘invisible living rooms’ – otherwise your buyers will simply look past them.
By adding a beautiful butterfly chair to this small timber deck, it has instantly been transformed into a lovely spot to relax and read a book, enjoy a quiet glass of wine, or simply soak up the sun.
The ‘no junk’ policy
Buyers don’t want to see your kid’s toys, broken trampoline, tired and worn cane chairs (the ones your grandmother gave you and you’ve been planning to throw out for a while now…) or even your collection of gardening tools. So no junk inside … and no junk outside either.
Outdoor furniture can start to look a little worn and tired reasonably quickly (especially when it’s not under cover), so when you are selling you need to upgrade to fresh, clean and crisp pieces that really showcase our fabulous summer lifestyle.
Buyers don’t want to see your kid’s toys, broken trampoline, tired and worn cane chairs (the ones your grandmother gave you and you’ve been planning to throw out for a while now…) or even your collection of gardening tools. So no junk inside … and no junk outside either.
Outdoor furniture can start to look a little worn and tired reasonably quickly (especially when it’s not under cover), so when you are selling you need to upgrade to fresh, clean and crisp pieces that really showcase our fabulous summer lifestyle.
Get your green on
Yes, schmick sells outdoors, too… I know it’s a bit boring but it’s important. A freshly tended garden will bring loads of appeal to the exterior of your home. People may not notice the specific details of your garden, but they will feel it. Old, overgrown gardens will make buyers feel that your home has not been loved, and makes them wonder what else may be wrong with it.
My two quick-fix garden tips.
Yes, schmick sells outdoors, too… I know it’s a bit boring but it’s important. A freshly tended garden will bring loads of appeal to the exterior of your home. People may not notice the specific details of your garden, but they will feel it. Old, overgrown gardens will make buyers feel that your home has not been loved, and makes them wonder what else may be wrong with it.
My two quick-fix garden tips.
- Order mulch (choose a colour that works with your garden) and spread it over your existing garden beds. You can bury the weeds and make your garden look 10 times better in minutes.
- Remove any plants that are dead or dying. Replace with fresh, lush plants – your buyers will feel (and love) the difference.
Think beyond brown
Another trap home sellers can easily fall into is always selecting large, brown, heavy, square outdoor furniture pieces. This can look overbearing and dull … and sometimes dominate your outdoor space (especially if they are too large!).
There are many other furniture options available – fresher, more contemporary and often more inspiring – so try to think beyond brown and add a splash of colour and shape to your outdoor living spaces.
Another trap home sellers can easily fall into is always selecting large, brown, heavy, square outdoor furniture pieces. This can look overbearing and dull … and sometimes dominate your outdoor space (especially if they are too large!).
There are many other furniture options available – fresher, more contemporary and often more inspiring – so try to think beyond brown and add a splash of colour and shape to your outdoor living spaces.
Don’t forget the details
Once you have identified your best outdoor selling feature, and then positioned your larger furniture pieces, it’s important that you then focus on adding the lifestyle.
Don’t forget the scatter cushions, lanterns, an outdoor rug, small planters, candles, terrariums, books and magazines – these will really add warmth and bring your outdoor room to life.
Once you have identified your best outdoor selling feature, and then positioned your larger furniture pieces, it’s important that you then focus on adding the lifestyle.
Don’t forget the scatter cushions, lanterns, an outdoor rug, small planters, candles, terrariums, books and magazines – these will really add warmth and bring your outdoor room to life.
Magic mirrors
Mirrors are a fabulous way to make any room look larger, lighter and brighter – any they work just as well outdoors, too. If you have a small courtyard garden (and think this may be a possible objection from your buyers), consider strategically positioning an outdoor mirror or two to ‘double’ the size of your garden zone.
Mirrors are a fabulous way to make any room look larger, lighter and brighter – any they work just as well outdoors, too. If you have a small courtyard garden (and think this may be a possible objection from your buyers), consider strategically positioning an outdoor mirror or two to ‘double’ the size of your garden zone.
Big is beautiful
When thinking about pot plants, big is definitely beautiful. Remove the mismatched collection of old planters you’ve accumulated over the years (the ones with the scrappy brown plants that are scattered around your garden), and replace them with large, matching pots containing luscious, fresh plants. This is much more dramatic and inspiring.
Also, if lack of privacy is an issue in your garden, you can strategically position large planters to easily screen the area.
TELL US
Do you have any tips for house sellers you’d like to add? Pop them into the comments section.
MORE
5 Ways to Make the Most of Your Indoor-Outdoor Entertaining Area
Sell Your House in a Flash: Top Home Styling Tips for Photo Shoots
10 Low-Cost Tweaks to Make Your House Sell
When thinking about pot plants, big is definitely beautiful. Remove the mismatched collection of old planters you’ve accumulated over the years (the ones with the scrappy brown plants that are scattered around your garden), and replace them with large, matching pots containing luscious, fresh plants. This is much more dramatic and inspiring.
Also, if lack of privacy is an issue in your garden, you can strategically position large planters to easily screen the area.
TELL US
Do you have any tips for house sellers you’d like to add? Pop them into the comments section.
MORE
5 Ways to Make the Most of Your Indoor-Outdoor Entertaining Area
Sell Your House in a Flash: Top Home Styling Tips for Photo Shoots
10 Low-Cost Tweaks to Make Your House Sell
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These are amazing outdoor renovations which will no doubt improve property value. I love these styling tips!
Thanks John - appreciate the feedback!
We had an amazing water bill before we sold - I watered madly, liquid fed everything for 2 months before we were planning to sell, and everything looked so lush. I'd add pressure washing all your paving and any timber furniture, it's amazing how much gunk comes off! The tips in this article are great