The real estate market has seen rapid growth in both home sales and demand in 2020. As the market has evolved, many homeowners are looking to add curb appeal to their home. Curb appeal is one of the most important aspects in determining the value of a house.

If you are planning to sell your home and want to do all you can to help it sell, then now is the time to think about curb appeal. Having a beautiful yard helps. But you will want your home to stand out. Now is a great time to take your landscape in a new direction. By working with experienced landscape designers, your landscape can be designed to boost curb appeal.

There are ways to design your landscape to boost curb appeal. Why is boosting the curb appeal of your home important? According to the National Association of Realtors, 63% of home buyers will visit a home based on the online listing image. This makes how your home looks even more important. The yard, sidewalk, and driveway play an important role in the buying process. By designing these elements to increase the street view, it will encourage potential buyers. So, what type of curb appeal factors should you consider before putting your house on the market?

Adding Curb Appeal to Your Yard 

Utilize the Right Colors

Spruce up your yard with colorful flowers, window boxes, and front yard flower beds. Just a few inches of rich mulch and healthy flowers will brighten up a space. However, when planting close to your home’s exterior, keep the home’s exterior color in mind. For example, a home with blue siding is best showcased with purple, pink, yellow, and white flowers. Meanwhile, a home with red trim will look great with flowers that are orange, yellow, or red. Be sure to think about what season your home will be on the market, and plant flowers that will be in bloom at that time.

Create Borders

For classic curb appeal, consider adding a picket fence or low wall. Pair with some roses, vining plants, ornamental trees, or shrubbery for a classic landscape. Borders give a clean and polished look to the landscape. Additionally, borders can create more privacy and create a nice living space for the dog or kids to play in.

Add or Maintain Walkways

Walkways are an important part of curb appeal. Not only do they look great, but they serve a functional purpose. Having an appealing walkway to the home is very important. Choose a simple yet attractive hardscape element such as stone pavers for your walkway. After all, no one wants to think about cleaning up dirt that has been tracked into the house!

Consider A Water Feature

From fountains, waterfalls, or a peaceful koi pond, there are many ways to add a water element to your landscape. These elements can be an eye-catching element that separates your home from others. Sprucing up a water feature or pond isn't complicated. Consider some decorative rocks around the pond to make it the perfect backyard retreat. Make sure to properly maintain all water features as well.

Make Sure Your Grass Looks Great

No matter how beautiful your plants, trees, or home may be, it is vital that your lawn looks great. Be sure that your lawn is a healthy, though manageable, height. Proper grass maintenance is one of the best ways to boost curb appeal for your home. A healthy, green lawn stands out and is generally one of the first things buyers notice. If you are concerned about your lawn, have our grass experts take a look!

Pay Attention to Shapes and Structures

Think about the shape and style of your home as it compares to your property. Then design a landscape that complements it. Great ways to add interest are garden swings, fire pits, patios, arbors, and pergolas. Outdoor structures are attractive living spaces that buyers will be looking for.

Don't Forget Drainage!

Nobody wants to buy a home with flooding issues. Without proper drainage, your yard can experience erosion and damage. Even worse, water can flood your home. Many times, water damage is obvious. It can damage the lawn or can leave visible signs of erosion. For many buyers, this is one of the first things they look at. By paying attention to the importance of proper drainage, you can make your home even more attractive.

By paying attention to these components of landscape design, you can add value to your home. If you want to learn more about how to add curb appeal to your home, contact our experts today. Outdoor Makeover & Living Spaces has been designing beautiful landscapes around Atlanta since 2001.

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Fall in Georgia is a beautiful time to get outside and enjoy the weather. As a state where hot weather begins early and seems to linger, many look forward to cooler fall temperatures.  Some popular fall activities in Georgia are hot dog roasts, ghost stories, and toasting marshmallows around a campfire.

But who says one has to leave the comforts of home in order to enjoy fall? With a backyard fire pit, it is possible to enjoy these activities not just during the fall, but into the colder months, too!

Recently, many Georgia residents have discovered the thrill of having a fire pit created for their landscape. Not surprisingly, the number of homes with a fire pit is increasing.

Here are just a few reasons people are getting out and enjoying their backyard fire pit:

1. Anyone’s yard can be enhanced with natural walkways and gardens. But when you add a custom designed fire pit, you add another level of out ambiance. While you may enjoy having company, sometimes it’s nice to have people hanging out outside, rather than inside of your home.

2. A backyard fire pit can be sized according to the space and design of your yard. Whether just a simple fire pit framed with logs or an elaborate one enhances with a stone patio or deck, fire pits can take on a myriad of shapes and be built from a variety of materials.

3. When constructed properly, permanent fire pits are completely safe. They are built with walls on all sides to prevent sparks from spreading beyond the pit. For extra precautions, many homeowners opt for wire mesh on top of the pit.

4. Patio fire pits can use gas for fuel, rather than logs. This makes them more controlled and safer. Having a gas fire pit is also a great option if you plan to cook over your fire pit.

5. As referenced, the fire pit is the perfect outdoor kitchen element. Depending on how large the pit is, items such as barbecue or even the Thanksgiving turkey can be prepared on it.

6. Fire pits are a budget friendly way to add to the design of your backyard. Working with a landscape designer such as Outdoor Makeover & Living Spaces means you are can rest assured your yard will be utilized to its full advantage. We carefully design landscapes that incorporate every aspect of your yard.

7. Do you love to star gaze? Perhaps you need a quiet retreat after a long day at work. With a fire pit, you can escape – and without the need to leave the comfort of your own home.

8. Fire pits can add to the resale value of your home. As their popularity has grown, many potential home buyers look for backyard elements such as fire pits.

Adding a fire pit to your Atlanta landscape this fall will transform your outdoor living experience. From roasting food to providing extra entertaining space, there's nothing quite like the fun of having a fall fire pit in your backyard! To learn more about custom fire pit designs, contact Outdoor Makeover & Living Spaces. Our landscape designers are here to craft your fall outdoor living space.

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Outdoor Fireplaces or Fire Pits are the trendiest elements in Atlanta’s backyards. Outdoor Makeover & Living Spaces completed over 130 fire pits and fireplaces in 2019 alone. That is a lot of happy families!

Fire features like an outside fireplace or outdoor fire pit with a chimney are great for the backyard or can be your patio’s companion. Even the most magnificent patios could seem incomplete without the right fire features.

When it comes to outdoor entertaining, fire features are some of the most popular outdoor living elements. Fire pits and fireplaces provide plenty of outdoor entertainment for your family. They are also an inexpensive way of entertaining guests. Many of our clients who categorize themselves as “outdoorsy people” often find out that keeping a large group of people outside takes more than a book. They need an activity to keep their minds happy and entertained.

Why Are Fire Features So Popular for Landscapes in Atlanta?

Residents of Atlanta enjoy a balanced four seasons of weather. In spring, fall, and some winter nights, the weather can be cool and relaxing. We don’t have to travel far in a campground to gather with family members. No more packing, scheduling, and headaches.

Our designers can design a fire feature in your backyard or on your patio. You could enjoy a safe fire with chimney fire pits right in your backyard at any time of the day or night!

Outdoor Makeover designs fire features in specific locations to provide access to them with minimal effort. For example, we place fireplaces, chimney fire pits or stove gas on decks right outside your living space. We can also add one on a patio attached to the main access to the backyard through a basement or deck stairs. On the other hand, some homes require the placement of fire features further away in a natural area of the property. Especially if there are lakes, a creek, or a really nice site at the end of the property. Our team can install fire features wherever you enjoy them most.

Outdoor Fireplaces Pros

• Outside fire pit and fireplaces are more elegant. They attribute much more to the aesthetics of the overall backyard.
• Carefully designed fireplaces maximize the enjoyment of natural wood.
• Provides extra safety to the experience as it contains the flame with three surrounding walls.
• Only heat radiates out and not the smoke. Smoke rises through the chimney and is less likely to get in your eyes and lungs.
• Fireplaces provide a good place for a TV and decorations on the hearth.
• A wood storage compartment can be built into the fireplace.
• They can be fireplaces gas stoves or wood.

Outdoor Fireplaces Cons

• Fireplaces are more expensive than a fire pit.
• With three walls around the opening, fireplaces limit how many people can sit around it. Unless it is a double-sided fireplace.

Benefits of Fire Pits

• Outdoor fire pits cost much less than fireplaces ($1500-$3000) depending on the model and type of stone.
• Fire pits seat many people who can sit around 360 degrees.
• They are smaller than - usually around 5 feet in diameter.
• Fire pits can be turned into a table for people to sit around.
• They an be a gas fire pit or wood.
• They provide a natural camping experience without the hassle.
• Great for a big family.

Disadvantages of an Outdoor Fire Pit

• Fire pits take up a minimum of 150 sq ft a patio so the patio must be bigger to accommodate outdoor tables.
• If the fire pit is wood burning, the smoke could potentially bother you and clothes may smell like a campfire.
• Fire pits do not provide the height to a landscape as a fireplace would.

Whether an outdoor fire pit or fireplace is ideal for you, Outdoor Makeover & Living Spaces is your best fire feature resource. We are Atlanta’s outdoor living experts. Contact us today for a design consultation or more information.

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If you are looking for the perfect way to enhance your backyard and get all you can from time spent enjoying nature, then a backyard fire pit is the answer. Whether you opt for a small space designed just for your family or want a space big enough to host a large party, having a custom-built patio with a fire pit is the perfect way to get more from your backyard.

At Outdoor Makeover and Living Spaces, you can count on us to help you determine the perfect way to add fun and functionality to your outdoor space. We have years of experience with designing outdoor getaways and have designed spaces for homeowners all across North Georgia. These custom builds are more than “just another place where grass needs to be cut” but a place where you, your family, and friends can find respite, relaxation, and rejuvenation. While we have many locations where we have worked our outdoor magic, we would like to share one of our most recent makeovers.

Check it out:

If you have been toying with the idea of turning your backyard into a quiet getaway where you can unwind after a long day at work, what’s holding you back? We want you to find the peace that comes from nature and make it even easier. We offer you the best installation services for outdoor stone patios with fire pits for $5900. This includes the patio (but not the sitting wall) and Belgard Fire pit. Of course, the wonderful thing about designing a patio with a fire pit is that no two projects have to be exactly alike! There is a variety of colors and types of pavers that can be used, and the shape and size of your patio are hindered only by the amount of space and your budget.

A few of the stone and color options for your patio include:

• Cambridge Cobble
• Country Blend
• Brasstown
• Lafitt Paver
• River Street
• Avondale

The Outdoor Makeover team has years of experience and a wealth of knowledge that we will use to help you turn a basic, bland backyard into a gorgeous space perfect for your every need. Whether you have already decided to go with a hardscape design or simply want to know what types of options are available, we can help you determine what kinds of elements and designs will work.

Talk to us today about a patio and fire pit design that will work for your space and budget.

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Now that the busyness of summer and fall are behind you, and Christmas is looming, it may seem strange to be thinking about lawn care or landscaping. However, this is the best time of the year to prepare your yard for all the great plans you have for the year ahead. Even better, by making plans and taking precautions, you can ensure that your yard is even better next year than it has ever been. Before many outdoor makeovers can be made, it is vital that some preparation steps are taken. Here are few tips to help you get ready for that 2017 yard makeover.

1. Winter Landscaping Tips  Plan Now for Your Spring Landscape Projects As days get shorter and cooler, this is the time to begin planning your yard’s look for next year. Consider taking time to spread mulch, cut back trees or shrubbery that may still need to be pruned, remove any dead plants, and wrap any delicate shrubbery. For most yards this will take one busy weekend but it will go a long way towards a beautiful, working yard next spring.
2. Think about Drainage Did you discover this summer that your yard did not move water out of the way properly or effectively? Then now is the time to talk to a landscape pro about grading your yard so that rain water is moved the direction you need it.
3. Clean Up If you still have leaves or debris from fall in your garden areas, take time now to remove it as this will make it easier to see your yard’s canvas and begin planning for next summer.
4. Minimize Walking in the Yard Once you have your yard cleaned up and prepped for winter, endeavor to keep walking across your yard to a minimum otherwise you risk displacing your grass. Plus, frequent walking on the lawn - especially should it be a wet winter- can cause damage such as compaction.
5. Irrigation Irrigation systems are a great addition to any lawn. If you are considering one for your space, now is a great time to follow up on it.
6. Dream Now is the time to sketch out what you want next year’s war to look like. From plant life to decorative elements, and features such as patios and fire pits, there are many ways to enhance your yard for greater functionality and design. Need ideas, give the Makeover Landscaping specialists a call. Outdoor Makeover is ready to meet with you and help you move forward on designing the best landscaping design you have ever had. Contact one of our landscape pros today to learn how we can help you give your lawn and backyard areas a complete makeover.

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What is your favorite time of the year? Is it spring when all the flowers are starting to poke their heads through the earth and the trees are beginning to wear their new coats? Perhaps it is summer when the weather is perfect for outdoor entertainment, long sunny days, warm sultry nights and yard parties. Or, maybe it is fall when the trees are filled with yellow, orange and red hues and the temperatures are crisp and cool – just perfect for relaxing around a fire pit. Then, of course, there’s winter with its cold though sunny days and a plethora of holidays to bring family together. Yes, no matter what time of year it is, there’s always time to enjoy the outdoors with a group of friends and family. But to make those opportunities for visiting and enjoying the outdoors even better, you need to have a landscape designed for entertainment and pleasure.  So, what should that look like? Here are a few ideas for creating the perfect outdoor entertainment area:

1. Outdoor lighting: Lights are a great way to make your yard more interesting. From spotlights or to hidden up lighting in a pond area, to twinkling lights draped in the trees and shrubbery, a string of lanterns along the edge of a patio, torch lights around the edges of an outdoor kitchen or even sconces on the walls of an outdoor bar area – there is no end to how lights can be used outdoors.
2. Custom built tables: Who says that traditional picnic tables are your only choice? Design tables that show off your style and compliment your landscape. Consider alternative materials such as stonework, pottery, recycled materials and other products for a piece that is both functional and fun.
3. Stay warm – Be it a fire pit only large enough for toasting marshmallows and telling ghost stories, a large double fireplace for grilling or more simple fireplace where sharing a glass of your favorite beverage is the norm, having a contained fire element is a great way to add life to your backyard entertaining.
4. Stroll along: If you are a fan of gardening, and have multiple garden areas, why not connect the various space with a meandering garden path lined with delightful pavers, small stones or whimsical edges? When combined with lights, you can create a fun place to escape the stresses of the day.
5. Keep it green: Be sure to include plenty of greenery in your backyard – and not just in the form of your grass. Choose an assortment of flowering plants and trees that can be easily maintained yet showcase your home and outdoor features in style. Designing an outdoor landscape perfect for entertaining can be done with a bit of planning and by talking to one of the Outdoor Makeover experts. After all, there is no reason for you to stress over creating the perfect yard. Let us look over your yard and help you decide what elements will be best for your needs. Give us a call today.

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Everyone makes New Year's Resolutions. Whether we like the idea or not, everyone likes to think of the new year as a clean slate, and it's understandable why. We spend the year thinking about all of the things in our life that we want to change, whether it's our diet, our work habits, or how we treat people. It's the time of year where people line up for gym memberships or buy software for learning a new language. But one resolution that is often undervalued is the resolution to take care of our belongings, ideally how we treat our living space. It's easy for people to change things about their appearance or to pick up a new hobby, but some people neglect the fact that their home and outdoor living space could use some changes as well. Simply updating your backyard could even help you progress in your personal resolutions. It's a fact that your surrounding environment plays a big role in how we feel and treat ourselves so it's important to keep your living area bright and fresh. It's important to have a place you can relax and unload after experiencing the day's stresses thrown at you. March is officially upon us in 2017, which is a perfect time to start reflecting on changes you want done to your outdoor living space. Spring is right around the corner and you'll want an open space to enjoy the warm weather. Here are a few of the most popular landscape ideas to consider in 2017 that may pair with your resolutions:

1. Conversation Area: Maybe your resolution is to be more social, and if that is the case you're going to want to have an area where you and your friends can congregate and enjoy the scenery. The best place to do so is on a patio area, either connected to your home or maybe set in the round of your backyard area so you can enjoy every angle of your outdoor landscape. Contacting your contractor about installing a patio or an outdoor kitchen is the first step in achieving your ideal conversation area.
2. Garden landscapes: Having a brightly colored garden can do wonders for the soul. Gardening is immensely therapeutic and being surrounded by floral accents such as lavender or mint have been known to lower stress and reduce tension headaches. If you're wanting to have a garden landscape, however, it's important to make sure you have a walkway through the garden so you can fully enjoy the view. Many homeowners are installing stone walkways/steps that not only serve as convenience but also serve as an aesthetic contrast to the bright colors of the flowers.
3. Mood lighting: Believe it or not, having some artificial lighting can enhance the aesthetic value of your backyard living space. When most people hear "outdoor lighting" they usually think of flood lights, which can be very harsh and blinding in what is meant to be an open conversation area. Some contractors even suggest light dimmers so you can adjust the lighting based on your mood or the setting you want to provide for you and your guests. Whatever you want to do with updating your outdoor living space, it's important to have an outdoor contracting company that wants to provide you with your ideal landscape design. Your vision is important and in the end, you are the one who has to see the landscape everyday so it's important to have a contractor that works with you to give you the best design imaginable. Contact us today!

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Summer is just around the corner and that means the kids are out of school, there's no homework, and friends will be coming over to play (for parents and kids alike). With the scorching Atlanta heat during the day and the cool star filled nights, families are going to want plenty of outdoor activities to do together. And there's no better place to enjoy outdoor family time than in your own outdoor living space. Here are some great ways to boost your family fun time in your backyard landscape.

• Fire pit or stone oven: The latest food craze hitting the restaurant scene is "build your own pizza" style restaurants. While everyone enjoys designing their own pie, going out to eat can get expensive. Installing a fire pit or outdoor oven can help family dinners become more fun. Not only are they visually appealing, but fire features are great for an outdoor campout or for keeping warm when the wind starts to get too rowdy.
• Pool area: Some of the best memories are made hanging out by the pool with the sun beating down on your skin. Having a pool can not only up your property value, it can up your fun factor reputation throughout the neighborhood. Who doesn't love someone with a pool? If your outdoor landscape isn't laid out to support a pool, why not have a relaxing Japanese water garden to have as part of your conversation area? Not only are water features the most popular of landscape design features, they are perfect for those hot Atlanta summers. Just imagine jumping in the cold pool to escape the heat.

Also Read: Ideas for Creating a Relaxation Station

• Patio Game: Having a great patio can also boost your family fun factor. Create your own at home drive in with a makeshift projector on your outdoor patio for you and your neighbors to have a weekly outdoor movie night! Have your patio furniture assembled around the deck so everyone is comfortable and has a great view. Hide fun toys around the patio's flower bed for the kids to search for while the parents enjoy cocktails from their newly installed patio bar! Lay out on your hammock and watch the birds play in your newly installed water fountain feature. The opportunities are endless.

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