Add value with an outdoor entertainment area

An outdoor entertainment area does not only add enjoyment to your life, it could also increase the value of your home.

Regional Director and CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa, Adrian Goslett says that an outdoor home improvement project will not only assist in maximizing the enjoyment of the property’s outdoor spaces, but it will also add to the appeal of the home when it comes time to sell.

“The South African climate allows us the privilege of enjoying outdoor living,” says Goslett. “Nothing is more proudly South African than an outdoor bring-and-braai with friends and family. I would encourage homeowners who have the outdoor space to invest in their property so that they can truly enjoy the perks of living in a country as scenic as our own.”

One of the latest design trends is to incorporate outdoor living areas with indoor areas by creating a seamless flow between the two. The easiest way to achieve this is by installing stackable or fold-away doors leading to your patio, and matching the type of flooring used in the different areas. Natural stone flooring looks elegant and is durable; stone can, however, absorb oily spills.

Concrete is durable and versatile, and can be coloured, imprinted and finished in a wide range of looks, including that of natural stone. Tiles are an affordable option, and are available in many different styles. For an outdoor area, it is important to pick a frost-proof, unglazed tile, and coat it with a penetrating sealer. You should also ensure that the tiles are laid on a flat surface, otherwise they may crack, especially during winter.

Hardwood or bamboo floors are excellent choices for both indoor and outdoor use, and provide a perfect solution for integrating indoor and outdoor spaces. Choosing a reputable installer will ensure that you get years of use from this beautiful and durable flooring option.

Patio Warehouse provides the following helpful tips to ensuring you hit the right notes with your outdoor entertainment area:

The most important aspect is the furniture. It sounds like simple advice, but some people make the mistake of putting style over practicality.
If you are looking to create an area for relaxing, then a lounge set would be most ideal. If entertaining is your thing, then a dining set would work best.
Choose something that suits the exterior of your house, and make sure that you choose the most suitable set for your specific area.
When it comes to décor, less is more, so be careful of creating clutter.
Do not choose something that will damage easily. Durability is very important for the outdoors.
The furniture items that are best suited for a patio are those that are low maintenance, lightweight, and easy to move around.

A popular trend in outdoor areas is the creation of an outdoor kitchen, complete with built-in braai, pizza oven, sink, storage areas, work space/food preparation area, gas stove, dishwasher and refrigerator. You can add years of use by buying waterproof, stainless steel appliances that are robust enough to withstand varying weather conditions. You may also want to make space for a bar, and adding a flat-screen television (specially manufactured outdoor televisions are water-, dust- and insect proof, and are also scratch resistant), entertainment system and some beautiful patio furniture (preferably water-, mildew- and UV resistant) or raised seating areas with comfortable cushions can set the perfect scene for the celebrity chef in you to come to life. Adding a kitchen island with bar stools will solve the problem of guests having to eat off their laps.

Careful planning needs to go into the creation of an outdoor kitchen, as you need to provide for electrical outlets, plumbing fixtures and adequate lighting, while ensuring that you comply with building regulations and safety requirements. Easy access to fire extinguishers is an important aspect.

Lighting not only sets the mood for your evening’s entertainment, but also provides task lighting in your food preparation areas. Solar lights in the garden are an environmentally friendly mood-lighting choice.

Regarding the choice of cooking method, a gas braai is becoming an increasingly popular option, as the heat from a gas braai is instant, meaning the timing of your meal won’t be at the mercy of the guest who built the braai fire to last until morning. Cooking on a gas grill is more environmentally friendly and cleaner, and also gives you more control over the heat, assisting you in avoiding the charring of marinades typical of grilling over coals.

The information contained in this article is of a general nature and intended for information purposes only.