How Outdoor Furniture & Styling Can Boost Your Property’s Value by $200K
Key Takeaways:
- Styled outdoor spaces can add up to 20% to property value, with case studies showing increases of $150K–$200K.
- Quality outdoor furniture (e.g., teak, powder-coated steel) improves buyer perception and signals long-term care of the home.
- Street presence and curb appeal are crucial - buyers often decide whether to inspect a property based on the facade alone.
- Purposeful staging with defined dining and lounge areas helps buyers visualise lifestyle benefits and maximises return on investment.
How Outdoor Styling Can Boost Your Property’s Value by Up to $200K
Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes
With the Spring selling season in full swing across Australia, we’ve teamed up with real estate experts to uncover just how much value outdoor styling can add to a property. Drawing on nearly 30 years of experience from property advocates, along with our own interior design expertise, we looked at case studies and recent sales to see where smart investments in outdoor furniture and styling really pay off.
The findings are clear: investing in quality outdoor spaces doesn’t just make your home more inviting, it can also boost its value significantly when it comes time to sell.
First Impressions Start Outside
According to Nat Gordon of PROPOHOLIC, a Property Consumer Advocate with nearly three decades of experience, a styled outdoor space can increase the sale price of a home by up to 20%, sometimes even more in certain suburbs.
“A styled outdoor space can increase sale price by up to 20%, even more in some suburbs,” says Gordon.
She recalls a recent example: “We transformed an East-facing terrace in Wollstonecraft with flooring and lounge furniture. The home was valued at $1.25 million and sold for $1.6 million, $350K above the market opinion.”
Street Presence Matters
First impressions matter, especially outside. Gordon notes that styling should begin at the curb and flow right through to the backyard or balcony.
“Street presence is the biggest advantage homeowners have over apartments,” she explains. “Time-poor buyers often decide whether to view a property based on the facade alone.”
Styling should also align with the target demographic. As Gordon points out: “Urban first-home buyers will connect more with casual lounge settings that suggest entertaining with friends, rather than formal dining.”
Why Quality Styling Pays Off
Investing in high-quality outdoor furniture can dramatically improve how buyers perceive a home. “Using high-end outdoor pieces can significantly improve the visual appeal of a home and add instant value,” Gordon says. “It tells buyers the home has been well cared for, and saves them time and money setting it up themselves.”
On the flip side, she warns that cheap or flimsy furniture can backfire, dragging down the overall impression of the property.
Our own Interior Designer, Chris Catarino, agrees: “Investing in quality materials and finishes is key. Durable, well-made outdoor furniture not only looks better but also stands up to the elements, maintaining the space’s appeal over time. This kind of thoughtful styling really lifts the overall look and feel of the home.”
Strong ROI on Outdoor Staging
Gordon also highlights the impressive return on investment that can come from outdoor staging.
“Creating an alfresco area with lounge and dining options can transform how buyers see the home,” she says. “We’re working on a suburban listing right now where a $20,000 investment in outdoor staging is expected to add $150,000-$200,000 in value.”
Despite this, many sellers still neglect their gardens or style them poorly, which can hurt buyer confidence. “Peeling paint, cobwebs, overgrown plants, or rusty furniture signal neglect and buyers pick up on that instantly,” Gordon warns.
Expert Tips for Styling Outdoor Spaces
Chris Catarino shares his top tips for styling outdoor areas that truly stand out during a property sale:
- Choose Quality Outdoor Furniture - Opt for materials like solid teak, powder-coated steel, or high-quality aluminium. They lift the presentation and withstand the elements.
- Design with Purpose - Create defined areas for dining and lounging so buyers can see how the space works for entertaining or relaxing.
- Keep Styling Cohesive and Simple - Stick to a cohesive colour palette and ensure the outdoors complements the home’s interior style.
- Don’t Skip the Finishing Touches - Add cushions, pots, throws, lighting, and greenery to make the area feel inviting and lived in.
Outdoor spaces are no longer an afterthought; they can be the deciding factor in how buyers feel about a property. By investing in quality outdoor furniture and thoughtful styling, sellers can dramatically increase their home’s appeal and even add hundreds of thousands in value.
With over 15 years of designing timeless outdoor furniture in Australia, Woodbury Furniture helps homeowners elevate their living spaces with pieces crafted for durability and style.
