As the holidays draw to a close and spring is not far behind, homeowners begin to consider adding features to their outdoor and backyard living spaces. Creating simple, inexpensive or more elaborate and more costly popular features will all add to your overall home value.

The Front of Your Home

You can easily add an enjoyable sitting or reading area to the front of your home. If you have a front porch of any size, simply add a couple chairs and a table. Decorate with some outdoor pillows and blankets. Add a touch of color and fragrance with fresh flowers on the table. Enjoy cocktails on the porch with a significant other or a friend. Sit and read in peace while enjoying your morning cup of coffee. This is easy and inexpensive.

Your Backyard Oasis

Many homeowners are creating more elaborate backyard living spaces. If you already have a deck or a patio, you're one step ahead. Add a firepit or outdoor fireplace to your deck or patio. There are beautiful gas firepits made of stone with glass pieces on top. These can be relaxing and mesmerizing because the fire looks like it is dancing on the glass. Build a brick firepit that burns real wood to create more of a campfire vibe. The more expensive route is having an outdoor fireplace built. Some homeowners are having full kitchens built in their backyards as well. These outdoor kitchens include a built-in grill, a refrigerator and even a prep area with a sink. This is the expensive route. You should minimally have a gas or charcoal grill on your deck or patio in your backyard. Add some outdoor furniture and you have a backyard oasis started for relaxing, eating and spending time with family and friends.

Backyard Entertainment

Once you have your deck or patio oasis created, start thinking about adding some entertainment to your backyard. If you are an avid golfer, you might consider installing a putting and chipping green. Families with children will enjoy a playset. These come in all shapes, sizes and price ranges. Perhaps a trampoline is in order as well. Built-in pools and hot tubs are a popular option in their backyards as well. This is even true in climates that only enjoy a few months of summer temperatures. Pergolas are a huge hit and are very on trend right now. Some pergolas even have swings or hammocks hanging from them for an extra place to relax.

Gardens

You may want to consider adding a garden for your backyard enjoyment. Adding some landscaping beds with bushes, perennials and annuals are sure to be aesthetically pleasing to the eyes. If you want a bit more of a gardening challenge, add a vegetable garden so you can enjoy fresh-grown vegetables when they're in season.

Additional Backyard Features

Since you'll be spending more time outside, you may want to consider adding an outdoor speaker system and television. Outdoor lights are another huge hit. Built-in fountains and waterfalls will also add to your backyard ambiance. Perhaps a thatched huts with a bar or a small greenhouse in the backyard?  

A backyard oasis with today's popular features will add to your home value. The more elaborate and expensive, the more value it will add. Enjoy spending more time in the great outdoors, getting more exercise and breathing in fresh air.