A Midsummer Night's Dream Home
Add-ons that Improve Outdoor Spaces and Increase Your Home’s Value As we enter the second month of this hot and humid summer, it's easy to hide away in our air-conditioned homes, fantasizing about cooler times. But by doing that, we miss out on the benefits of outdoor living — like keeping the house a little cleaner because the kids are outside, or soaking up some much-needed vitamin D! As a realtor, I'm always looking for ways to help clients enjoy their homes, and to help them see the potential in future ones. That got me thinking about the add-ons that can not only boost your outdoor enjoyment, but also increase the value of your home. Today, we're exploring some of my favorite ways to make the most of these steamy summer months — and to add some value along the way!
1. Front Porch
Imagine sitting in a rocking chair, sipping a cold glass of lemonade, watching your kids play in the front yard — or better yet, watching a perfect summer lightning storm from the safety of your covered porch. Beyond adding eye candy to your home's facade, a front porch is a functional choice too: it can lower the temperature inside your home by providing extra shade and protecting your sun-facing windows from the heat. Old maintenance worries can fall by the wayside, too, as alternative wood options have become more available and affordable — no more sanding and staining year after year. A few well-placed ceiling fans can help keep the bugs away and keep you cool, so you can enjoy your outdoor space even longer.
Typical Long Island cost range: About $5,000 to $50,000+, with many porches around $14,500 for ~200 sq. ft.
Approx. value change after project: Roughly 50% to 84% ROI, depending on design and neighborhood demand.
2. Sunrooms/Four-Season Rooms
Soak up the sun in your very own sun or four-season room. With large windows bringing you closer to the outdoors, you can enjoy the views of nature from the comfort of your home. Sunrooms also make a great utility space that doubles as a dining or entertaining area. Place it at the front of your home and share your dreamy windowed space with the neighborhood, or set it in the back for a little more privacy.
A permanent sunroom structure can add square footage to your home — or, if you'd rather your taxes stay closer to the status quo, a semi-permanent structure accessed from the outside is a great alternative.
Typical Long Island cost range: About $35,000 to $85,000 for a four-season sunroom; glass-room additions can run $55,000 to $130,000. Approx. value change after project: Roughly 49% to 55% for sunrooms overall; four-season rooms are often cited around 50% to 70% ROI.
3. Outdoor Kitchens
There's a special kind of misery that comes from cooking one of my favorite summer staples — fish — inside my house (hello, stink!). But that misery disappears the second I'm able to cook outside. Add a built-in counter surrounding your grill, a mini fridge for cool beverages, and a slop sink to easily rinse off outdoor toys that have seen better days. The benefits of an outdoor kitchen are plentiful — from cutting down on cooking smells, to not having to meticulously clean every inch of the counter (I'm sure a squirrel will happily take care of any stray peas that fall to the ground).
Pair that with some fresh herbs from a few hanging planters, and we'll have to start calling you the Barefoot Contessa.
Typical Long Island cost range: About $15,000 to $40,000 for mid-range builds; $35,000 to $60,000+ for high-end custom builds.
Approx. value change after project: Roughly 55% to 80% ROI in many estimates.
4. Shed Bars or Studios
For those lucky enough to have a shed that isn't needed for storage, I recommend turning it into a space completely unique to your own hobbies and interests. Add a weatherproof glaze to the cement foundation for a sleek floor, run some electric, install a ceiling fan for circulation, and behold — your very own magic little hideaway.
Turn it into a miniature art studio with a few built-in shelves, and paint the day away using the natural light pouring in through the doors. Or, if you're more of an entertainer, bring in a mobile bar or kitchen island (similar to the ones from IKEA or Pottery Barn), a few bar stools, and a mini fridge to keep beverages cold. Add a Sonos speaker to make sure your bar is always playing your favorites.
Typical Long Island cost range: About $10,000 to $80,000+, depending on insulation, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and finishes.
Approx. value change after project: Usually modest in direct resale value — often closer to 20% to 50% of cost, with much of the payoff coming in personal enjoyment rather than dollars.
Special Consideration: Pools
Last but not least, the swimming pool. Although pools have a reputation for being expensive to install, expensive to maintain, and not always a boost to home value, there's no better way to beat the heat than taking a dip in your own backyard oasis.
But I'd be remiss if I didn't say "buyer beware," because we all know having a pool is a lot of work; having a best friend with a pool is even better.
Typical Long Island cost range: About $18,000 to $46,700+ on average, with many custom pools reaching $50,000 to $100,000+.
Approx. value change after project: Often about 1% to 7% added home value, though in many markets the resale recapture is only around 15% to 30%.
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With all that, which option would you choose? Each of these offers its own special way to beat the heat, but adding all of them to your home right now may not be in the cards.
Good news — maybe we can find you a home that already has these lovely features built in! If you're looking for the home of your dreams, I'd love to help. Whether it's a home with a pool or a gorgeous sunroom, my team at Coldwell Banker is ready to help you find it.
To see our available home listings, visit our listings page here.
See something you like? Call or text me at 631-455-6018, or email me at TheRealTedG@gmail.com.
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