Looking to refine your outdoor spaces, but lacking inspiration? You’ve come to the right place!
In this post, we showcase some stunning examples of alpine properties with impressive exteriors and share our top tips for owners. However, whether you’re an owner of an alpine property or not, these outdoor space ideas can be applied to your home, wherever it is based.
Check out our top picks of outdoor space ideas to see how you can maximise the potential of your rental business all year round…
Outdoor spaces can sometimes be overlooked by owners.
However, it’s key to make sure that your property’s exterior meets the same standard as the inside of your property.
It’s important to make sure that in summer especially, your outdoor spaces have been well considered and maintained in order to receive positive guest feedback.
Here are the essential outdoor spaces and facilities we recommend owners provide:
- outdoor dining and lounge space
- additional seating
- outdoor games/activities for kids
- a toddler and pet friendly secure area
- all-weather surfaces
- outdoor speakers
- plants/landscaping/a vegetable patch
- ash trays
Outdoor Living Space Ideas
With sun, snow and rain taking their toll on outdoor furnishings it’s important to invest in good quality, weather-proof soft furniture/ furnishings.
When buying furniture and soft furnishings, consider if both will be available to guests over the winter season. If not, where will they be stored? What kind of treatment, if any, will be required before each summer season?
They’ll last longer and you can use them to create a comfy chill-out zone where guests can gather to chat, enjoy an aperitif or play games.
Sheepskins, throws and cushions, plus sound systems and lighting will keep guests comfortable and warm all day and into the evenings.
This is a great example of carrying the interior deco style through to the outdoor spaces.
Wooden decks look amazing but be aware they need regular maintenance to keep them looking good, especially after each winter covered in snow and ice and rain. Jet washing and treatment can restore the wood well. For comfort, guests may also need to be reminded they will need to wear shoes out of doors to avoid splinters.
Outdoor Spaces for Kids
If there is a large enough flat area, why not provide a slide and swing set, or a trampoline, table tennis, badminton, table football or skittles?
Kids will love the fun and games, and parents will love the convenience of on-site entertainment.
Ensure that playsets are well maintained and mounted safely in your garden.
Making the Most of the Views
Think about adding benches, hammocks, and other seating in quiet corners so that guests can revel in the scenery, while taking time out over a coffee, with a book, or simply enjoying the sun.
Even if your property doesn’t back out onto views like this, considering some well-thought-through spaces outside is appreciated by guests either way, especially in the heat of summer.
Outdoor Dining Space Ideas
It sounds obvious, but make sure the outdoor dining table is easily accessed from the kitchen and large enough for the chalet capacity. Add a BBQ or griddle to help guests make an event of lunch or dinner.
Safe and Secure Outdoor Spaces
Ensuring there are no danger points in the outside areas is vital. Check there are no dangerous drops from terraces. If possible create secure zones for pets and toddlers so that they can get out of doors safely and not wander off.
If your property is in the mountains, make sure to provide snow clearing equipment so that access to the property is safe and hassle-free in winter.
Landscaping and Planting
The colours and scents of flowers can be used to make any garden special. Keep flowers blooming all summer long by installing an automated irrigation system or arrange for a gardener to come by regularly.
Additional Outdoor Facilities
If there’s room, why not add a petanque court for all year-round family fun? To find out about what is involved in setting one up, read our blog about private petanque courts here. Then politely remind the guests to be respectful of the neighbours and keep the noise down.
Adding an exterior hot tub, sauna, or swimming pool is of course a larger investment. However, in our experience, guests love to stay in properties that stand out from the crowds. Take a look at our post about extra facilities here.
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