5 Ways to Make the Best Use of Your Waterfront Property in Palm Beach County
There is no better place to be than Palm Beach, Florida, during the warm months than at the beach. With many options for oceanfront locations, everyone relocating to the Palm Beach County area is hoping to land a coveted waterfront property. These particular locations can become harder and harder to find and afford, so you may want to consider ensuring that you are getting the most out of your white sandy beaches and crystal-clear warm water.
In this article, we will discuss five methods to ensure that you make the best use of your waterfront outdoor area.
1. All About the Accessibility
A frequent reason that many don’t opt to use their outdoor waterfront property as much as initially hoped is that it is not easily accessible. Perhaps there is a large hill without any steps built into it, or plants are overgrown and have taken over, or the beach is full of seaweed that has washed up overnight. Whatever the reason may be, the thing to keep in mind is that there are many ways to fix difficult-to-access waterfront locations.
Before you opt to go outside and start cutting things down, remember that many shorelines are protected, and doing anything to or near them might require special permits. A professional landscaping contractor can help you to navigate the permitting process. Opting to install a walkway or pathway can help to navigate the property easily. If you have a steep hill, grading may be necessary before installing a retaining wall and patio with steps that can give you tons more usable space while improving accessibility.
2. Warm It Up
The evenings can get chillier during the cooler months, and as a result, if there is no outside heating source, you might be turning in for the night sooner than you may like. Heating elements such as an outdoor fire pit can provide not only warmth but also entertainment and light. Fire elements can be wood burning or gas, whichever is the best fit for your property type. Fireplaces and firepits are a great investment in your outdoor space and can be thoroughly enjoyed by family and friends for years to come.
3. Light The Space Up
Something nearly all waterfront properties have in common is the complete darkness after the sun sets. Without a fire or flashlights, navigating around your property in the evening hours can become dangerous. A simple method to make the property more usable is to consider adding landscape lighting. Landscape lighting has improved over the last few years. Lighting can be controlled via your phone, and different lighting schemes can be created for different events, including color and dimming.
An experienced landscape designer can create a plant that illuminates a property that makes it all the more beautiful. Lighting can be placed to highlight the beautiful architecture of your home or unique plantings by creating shadows.
4. Light the Grill
During the summertime in Palm Beach, FL, nothing is more delicious than a hot dog or a hamburger that is fresh off the grill. Bringing comfort and ease to your indoor kitchen outside can help transition the outdoor space from drab and boring to party central. Outdoor kitchens can consist of a built-in grill, or check out some favorite outdoor kitchen features that make cooking outdoors way more fun:
- Drawers: It is nice not to have to haul out cooking utensils, cups, plates, and more to eat dinner outside. It is possible to install drawers that keep items warm after you pull them off the grill.
- Sink: A sink is key for an easy clean-up outdoors. This particular ability to not have to walk back inside to get a glass to drink or rinse a plate is a time saver.
- Freezer, Refrigerator & Wine Cooler: Any of these options are great for saving trips to and from the house. A refrigerator can help to keep your pasta salads and fruit cold while grilling and is a great sport to throw leftovers while enjoying the sunset. Freezers will allow for fast and easy ice or popsicles for the kids to enjoy. A wine cooler can be a fun addition, too.
5. Add a Pop of Color with Plantings
When a waterfront property is mentioned, plantings are not the first thing that comes to mind. However, they can completely transform outdoor spaces. Many think that planting has to be minimal when it comes to direct beach properties, but this is untrue. We recommend checking out ideas for adding color and texture to waterfront properties:
- Create an area that is dedicated to grass near your beach to add fun and color to your landscape.
- Build plant beds on your patio or retaining wall if you sit close to the water, as these beds can house perennial plants that require minimal maintenance with maximum beauty.
- Add container gardens like hanging baskets and pots if your area has limited space, and don’t hesitate to plant perennials in your container gardens.
- Visit a local garden center to check out the plantings, write a list of a few of your favorites, and work to include them in your space.
Conclusion
While some of these suggestions are wonderful DIY projects, for plenty of properties, it might be wise to call in the experts. If you are considering performing grading on your own or installing a retaining wall or a patio on your own, it can lead to making your property dangerous with safety and drainage issues. If you have invested in a waterfront property, you deserve to get the most out of it. Trust your local real estate agents at Palm Beach Coastal Realty to guide you in finding and settling down in the waterfront property of your dreams in the many luxury neighborhoods that make up Palm Beach, FL, today.