Chapter Overview of Common Exterior Areas in a Home and Their Typical Contents
Exterior areas of a home provide space for relaxation, entertainment, and functionality, enhancing the overall value and enjoyment of your property. When planning an insurance Claim, construction project, rebuild, remodel, or repair, it’s important to consider these spaces and inventory them accordingly. For our purposes, we are going to give Secondary Structures like guest houses and barns their own chapter along with pool areas since they can have a variety of equipment and toys.
That leaves us with the following general areas to consider which should cover the most common exterior areas in a home and examples of their probable contents:
1. Decks & Patios
Common Contents:
Furniture: Outdoor sofas, dining sets, lounge chairs, and side tables.
Decor: Outdoor rugs, planters, lighting fixtures (string lights, lanterns).
Accessories: Umbrellas, cushions, fire pits, and heaters for extended use during cooler months.
Features: Built-in seating, pergolas, or shade structures.
Relevance: Decks and patios are versatile spaces for outdoor living, offering a comfortable environment for dining, socializing, and relaxation. Though decks are often permanently attached to a home and covered under your Primary Dwelling coverage and patios are generally separated and covered under Secondary Structures, the items themselves are covered under your Personal Property bucket. This article will essentially go into those items whereas the building materials themselves are covered elsewhere in our Construction book.
2. Lawn & Garden
Common Contents:
Landscaping: Grass, shrubs, flowers, trees, and garden beds.
Garden Tools: Lawn mowers, trimmers, shovels, hoses, and sprinklers.
Decor: Garden statues, bird baths, fountains, and trellises.
Structures: Raised garden beds, Compost bins, and arbors.
Relevance: Lawns and gardens enhance curb appeal and provide spaces for outdoor activities. Maintaining a healthy lawn and garden requires the right tools and thoughtful landscaping design to create a beautiful and functional outdoor space and though most of these tools are generally housed in a garage or Shed, we are going to cover them here since this is the area they are most closely associated with.
3. Outdoor Kitchens
Common Contents:
Appliances: Grills, smokers, pizza ovens, refrigerators, and sinks.
Furniture: Bar stools, dining tables, and counter space for food preparation.
Storage: Cabinets, drawers, and shelves for storing cooking utensils and dishware.
Accessories: Outdoor cooking tools, dishware, and decorative items like potted herbs or lighting.
Relevance: As mentioned in the previous chapter, we are going to break out outdoor kitchens into their own article despite having some similarities to the main kitchen. They can include a variety of built in appliances and cabinets as well as cooking tools and dishware that are somewhat different from what we’ve listed inside. Overall, these spaces add functionality and value to your home, transforming your patio or deck into a complete outdoor living area.
4. Playgrounds
Common Contents:
Play Structures: Swing sets, slides, climbing walls, and playhouses.
Ground Cover: Mulch, rubber mats, sand, or grass for safe play areas.
Accessories: Trampolines, sports equipment (basketball hoops, soccer goals), and outdoor toys.
Safety Features: Fencing, soft ground cover, and shade structures to protect from the sun.
Relevance: Playgrounds provide a safe, engaging space for children to play and be active. Designing a dedicated area for play equipment helps keep the yard organized and safe. In addition to inventory, this article will also give helpful advice on how to think about certain play structures being organized under your Secondary Structures coverage where others are simply Personal Property.
5. Vehicles (Driveways & Parking Spaces)
Common Contents:
Vehicles: Cars, motorcycles, bicycles, and recreational vehicles (RVs, boats).
Storage: Carports, garages, or driveways designed to house vehicles.
Accessories: Vehicle maintenance items like tools, cleaning supplies, and spare parts.
Outdoor Vehicle Equipment: Trailers, roof racks, bike racks, and towing accessories.
Relevance: Spaces for vehicles are essential for convenience and protection. Garages and driveways offer security and organization, while additional outdoor storage options can accommodate larger vehicles like RVs and boats. We cover garages separately so this article will largely be about the vehicles themselves and associated equipment like trailers.
Learn More
By thoughtfully designing and equipping these exterior areas, homeowners can maximize their outdoor living experience, enhance their property’s functionality, and create enjoyable spaces for family and guests. The following articles dig a bit deeper into these areas so you can organize your personal property into an inventory list for insurance claims, remodels or simply planning ahead. Off we go…