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Whether you’ve got an apartment balcony or spacious garden, we all want to make the most of our outdoor spaces.
We've looked at five backyard luxuries - from firepits to pools - that will help you get the most from your backyard – as well as add value to your property.
Swimming pool
The ultimate outdoor luxury, a swimming pool will make your place a top summer location for all your children’s friends.
Pools might be a massive investment, but they can also be a big selling point if done well. A run-down pool, on the other hand, can detract from your home’s appeal, so before you take the plunge, it’s worth considering the cost of ongoing maintenance.
The cheapest item on the swimming pool menu is a smallish moveable freestanding above-ground pool. You can pick these up from around $1,500 and install them yourself with the right equipment. (Don’t forget you’ll still need to follow your local council’s pool safety regulations.)
From there, the cost keeps rising; there’s almost no ceiling to what you could spend. Installing a large inground sprayed concrete pool with a heating system and surrounding landscaping will cost you $200,000 or more. We've looked into pools in depth before - check it out.
Spa pool
A spa pool is not only much cheaper than a swimming pool, but you can use it all year round – it’s at its most appealing in winter.
Portable spas are popular because they’re relatively affordable, fit into a smallish space, and you can take them with you when you move to a new house. A portable spa starts from around $5,000 and will cost roughly $1 per day in maintenance and extra electricity bills – more in colder spots.
Inground spas are essentially baby swimming pools. They are much costlier to install but can be popular with buyers. You can install a premade fibreglass spa, or a custom concrete spa. An inground spa will cost north of $20,000, plus maintenance costs, and will need resurfacing every decade or two.
Outdoor fire
An outdoor fire is a super-flexible way to upgrade your outdoor spaces and extend their use into the cooler months.
Even an inexpensive portable brazier or fire pit creates a focus point for any gathering, providing warmth, light and somewhere to toast your marshmallows. They’re stylish, require no installation, and start from $50 or less.
Or you could go the whole hog with a full-sized outdoor fireplace which will do all that but on a massive scale. Buy as a freestanding item, build from a kit, or hook it up to the gas – there are plenty of options to suit your backyard and your budget. Large fireplaces start from around $3,000 (uninstalled), rising to $10,000 or even $20,000 depending on the model, fuel type and installation costs.
Pizza oven
Just like a fire, the warmth of the pizza oven will extend the use of your outdoor spaces, but it can also cook a delicious pizza in minutes – a brilliant entertainment option for summer evenings.
Fuel options include gas, wood-fired, charcoal and electric; each one has its pros and cons, so you’ll need to do a little research before you buy. And just like a BBQ, don’t leave your pizza oven unattended and keep children well away.
Pizza ovens start from around $1,000 for a small free-standing model, but expect to spend upwards of $3,000 for a fancier model or more complex installation.
Louvred pergola
A pergola with louvre shutters gives you a more versatile and liveable outdoor space. Cooler on hot days, sheltered in the rain, often with sides, too – transform your deck into an outdoor living room.
There are cheaper temporary models, which start from around $1,500 but are not designed for all-year outdoor use. You’ll need to take them down when the weather turns bad.
A permanent structure gives you year-round luxury, and the top brands have options like remote louvre setting, rain sensors and rainwater harvesting. Permanent structures start from around $5,000 for a standard size, not installed. You’ll pay more for custom fit, extra features and installation.