Outdoor space: your property’s best selling point

The clearest trend of recent years is that a property no longer begins with the apartment itself, but with the courtyard and the outdoor area. A courtyard where children play, where neighbours get to know one another, and where residents can spend time in the fresh air and walk the dog. Demand for attractive local places to gather has never been greater. A well-planned, attractive and functional outdoor area is more than a trend. It is an investment that raises both residents’ well-being and the value of the entire project.

The outdoor area is seen before the door is opened

The façade, roof and plumbing determine whether a building will last. The outdoor area determines the impression it makes in the first three seconds. It is the only part of the project that is also seen by people who never step inside, such as a passer-by or a neighbour. An attractive, well-planned outdoor area draws buyers, adds value and shows from the very first glance that the property is well cared for. Unlike many other features, it is also something you can capture in photos and showcase.

Three key perspectives on outdoor areas

For property developers and contractors

The outdoor area is the most cost-effective way to stand out. Put two projects with a similar price and layout side by side, and buyers will choose the one whose courtyard has something that speaks to them. The developer who wins is the one who plans the outdoor area together with the building, not after it.

For housing associations

In an existing building, you don’t have to do everything at once. The first stage is usually benches, a proper waste collection area and bike racks. These change the look of the courtyard straight away and are usually the easiest to get approved at the general meeting. A playground and where possible, an outdoor gym can follow in later stages, and by then the decision is much easier. It is also important that the courtyard offers something to residents without children as well.

For local authorities

For public spaces, the purchase price is not the only deciding factor. It also matters how much maintenance costs, how long the surfacing lasts, whether spare parts will still be available in ten years’ time, and whether the area is accessible with a pram or a wheelchair. A good procurement specification starts with the safety zone and fall height, not the product code, and ends with the maintenance plan, not the installation.

Safety is not an optional extra

An accident on a playground is everyone’s nightmare. That is why every good outdoor area starts with the standards: EN 1176 sets the requirements for equipment and EN 1177 for impact-absorbing surfacing. But a standard alone does not make an area safe. What does is surfacing chosen for the correct fall height, an adequate safety zone around each piece of equipment, and quality materials that can withstand both Nordic winters and southern heat.

With Tiptiptap’s smart and easy-to-use 3D planner, you can design your own outdoor area and present the finished plan at a general meeting, to a client or in a tender document. The 3D planner is very easy to use, so it’s well worth giving it a try.

Get it right from the start

An attractive, inviting outdoor area turns a property development into a lively neighbourhood and a courtyard into a pleasant, enjoyable meeting place.

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