You Ask, We Answer: What’s the Must-Have Feature for Homes in 2023?
Your Connecticut home is your sanctuary, and since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, it’s no doubt taken on even more importance. While many of us have gone back to the office or have embraced a hybrid schedule, some elements of 2020 still remain: namely, our love of enjoying outdoor spaces. And we’re not alone. Here’s the must-have feature for homes in 2023, and how to make the most of it, no matter what your budget.
Homeowners, sellers, and buyers all love a backyard
If you’re lucky enough to have a backyard, you’re lucky, indeed. According to Better Homes & Gardens, a recent report from Zillow’s home trend expert, Amanda Pendelton shows that outdoor spaces rank at the top of homeowners’ wish lists in 2023. “The rising popularity of outdoor features suggests the pandemic has changed the way we want to live for good, priming the backyard for a 2023 evolution. When the pandemic forced all entertaining outdoors, homeowners reclaimed their backyards from the kids or the dogs. Now they’re rethinking how that space could serve as an extension of their home in new, creative ways.”
Even if you don’t have a particularly spacious yard, creating a highly functional space to enjoy throughout multiple seasons is a huge draw. Should you decide to list your home in the future, it’s a great selling point. But even if you have no intention of selling, you’ll still have a welcoming space outdoors that will allow you to relax–just be sure it can be beautiful without a ton of upkeep.
How to create a backyard oasis
1. Prioritize what matters to you
Your backyard oasis should reflect your own priorities. After all, it’s your home! Consider what you want to use your yard for. Maybe it’s for backyard movie nights with the whole family. Perhaps it’s gathering around the firepit for drinks with friends. Or maybe you want to be surrounded by beautiful plants and flowers so you feel like you have an escape from your hectic everyday life. Whatever the motivating factor, having a clear vision of what your outdoor space will be used for will go a long way.
2. Allocate spending accordingly
Now that you know what your priority is, you can allocate your spending accordingly. If outdoor movie nights are your thing, you can invest in a comfy outdoor sofa (who doesn’t love an L-shaped couch for movie watching?), an outdoor rug and coffee table, even a projector and collapsable screen to set the mood for your outdoor theater. Craving a spot to entertain friends? A patio with several comfortable seating options and a firepit is a natural gathering spot. Or, if you’re looking for a staycation oasis, investing in creating garden beds, staggering outdoor planters full of gorgeous flowers or even creating mood lighting with outdoor lanterns and hanging lights are all great ways to invest your money (and time).
3. Be realistic about upkeep
Some backyard improvements are easier than others to upkeep. Be realistic about the time it will take to care for your upgrades to keep them looking and functioning well so you actually want to use them. For instance, a new pool may seem like a luxurious addition to your home, but if you don’t have time to maintain it, or if hiring someone to maintain it isn’t in the budget, you may want to reconsider. What we love in an AirBnB and what we love on a daily basis in our own homes may be two very different things.
4. Ask your Calcagni Real Estate Agent for ideas
No one knows the local Connecticut real estate market like your Calcagni Real Estate agent. Don’t be afraid to touch base with your Calcagni agent to ask about backyard improvements that garner the biggest return on investment. Even if you’re not planning on selling in the near future, it can be helpful to know the types of improvements that will make financial sense should you list your home for sale in the future.
