Outdoor living holds the key to happy residents
The Importance of Purposeful Outdoor Spaces at Apartments
In today’s busy world, people want an escape from the daily grind. They want a sense of community, a place where they can relax, socialize, enjoy fresh air, and experience the outdoors without having to leave their home. Creating these opportunities benefit tenants and property owners alike.
In this article, we’ll explore:
Increase Your Property’s Curb Appeal
First impressions matter when attracting new tenants. Your residents want to come home to a place they’re proud of, one that looks like it’s been well-cared for and adds to their quality of life. The right features can add instant curb appeal to your apartment complex and make it feel more homey. Set the tone before the tour, ensuring your prospective tenants go into your show unit with an open mind and happy heart.
Outdoor features that have shown to be popular among renters include:
- Outdoor kitchens
- Fire pits
- Grills
- Seating areas (especially under pergolas or shades)
- Pools
- Hot tubs
- Splash pads
- Picnic tables
- Walking trails
- Gardens
- Playgrounds (for kid-friendly apartment complexes)
- Recreational areas, such as volleyball pits or outdoor games
These are just the tip of the iceberg. Creative use of space gives you ample opportunities to improve your outdoor living. You’re not limited to just one section of your apartment complex to create these experiences. You can take advantage of every available space, even if you have to get creative with the programming and separation of these areas.
Improve Tenant Satisfaction and Retention
Tenants want the opportunity to escape to the outdoors without leaving their homes. Being able to step outside their door and enjoy outdoor amenities increases the perceived value of their space. They’re getting more for their money simply by having an extension of their indoor living.
Outdoor spaces at apartment complexes contribute to a sense of community. It brings people outside and together to share in common amenities, giving residents a chance to befriend their neighbors. Apartment managers can use these spaces to plan outdoor events that encourage residents to gather together.
These factors may also make tenants more likely to renew their lease. Other nearby properties that haven’t invested as much in their outdoor spaces may struggle to compete for tenants who feel like they’re getting more for their money at an outdoor-focused apartment complex.
Enhance Tenant Health and Wellness
Humans are nurtured by nature. We need access to fresh air, sunlight, and space to freely move. By offering outdoor spaces for recreation, tenants have more ways to improve their health and well-being.
Outdoor exercise areas encourage physical activity, especially for tenants who don’t have time to go to a separate gym (or can’t afford one). People who have access to outdoor areas are more likely to engage in physical activity, which will improve their health and quality of life. Exercise also releases feel-good hormones and reduces the stress hormone cortisol, which can lead to better physical and mental health.
Residents who spend time outside are more likely to get their daily dose of vitamin D from sunlight exposure. This essential nutrient helps the body absorb calcium, which supports healthy bones and teeth. Sunlight exposure has also been associated with improving mood and regulating sleep patterns — two critical components of overall wellness.
In addition, spending time outside has also been linked to improved mental health. Being outside reduces stress and anxiety levels. It gives us an escape from our hectic lives. We’re not facing piles of dishes or laundry, answering emails, or paying bills. Instead, we can simply exist, with no agenda or timeline.
Contribute to Environmental Sustainability
Good design plays a role in how your outdoor spaces impact the environment. For example, you might create rooftop gardens that allow residents to grow their own food while also serving as an outdoor escape. You might design a roofing system that collects rainwater for the community gardens. Planting more trees can keep your outdoor spaces cooler during the summer, which might encourage more people to take advantage of these areas.
It is everyone’s job to be good stewards of the environment, and outdoor spaces at your apartment complex can contribute to its natural surroundings.
What’s more, well-designed outdoor spaces may help keep apartment management costs low. With the cost of apartment living increasing every year, many property owners are looking for ways to reduce expenses. Tenants that love their outdoor spaces are more likely to take care of them, which can lead to lower maintenance costs for property owners. Properly designed outdoor spaces can also help with water drainage and air quality, which reduces the need for expensive drainage and air purification systems.
Being mindful of the outdoor amenities you provide can have a positive impact on the environment as well as your residents. Reducing environmental stressors like air pollution, noise, and heat can reduce feelings of depression, as well as local crime, leading to a more positive living environment for all.
Applying the Benefits of Outdoor Apartment Spaces to Your Development
As humans, we have a natural desire to be outside. Even in the era of screens, devices, and streaming services, we recognize that spending time outside makes us happy. Commercial property managers, developers, and general contractors should consider the value of outdoor space design and installation. Not only does it give people a place to enjoy the outdoors, it also provides an opportunity to foster strong communities and build lasting relationships with neighbors.
Discover how to create an outdoor living space more people will love — get in touch with our design team today!