Owning a property with a little extra land is a dream for many, but it takes a good amount of work to get there for most. Living a rural space is the most likely scenario for achieving this outcome, because sometimes land sales from local farmers and owners are put up to auction, and within a few years you may find a good price for a nearby or even adjoining piece of land onto your property. It takes a little luck and the means to do this, but once you have it, you get to decide what to do with that space (within reason).
But of course, knowing what to do with that acreage can be harder when you actually have to make those choices. It’s tempting to just let it sit as it is, but there are ways to make that space work for you, both financially, recreationally, or simply as a new project to enjoy.
Here are a number of creative ideas to help you decide how to make the most of your extra acre:
1. Create A Community Garden
If you live in a space with neighbors you trust (perhaps a rural set of converted barns with numerous families living around there). Sharing is often the best use of resources, and turning an extra acre into a community garden can put the space to excellent use at the same time. You could divide the area into plots and inspire local residents to grow their own fruits, vegetables, or flowers. Some elderly individuals with land do this so that the land is being worked, maintained and cared for, but without their own constant labor. Of course, this can be especially helpful in urban or suburban areas where space is limited but you still have access to land, perhaps adjoining a field or park.
If you’re interested in the idea, a community garden is a solid method of connecting with your neighbors and encouraging sustainable living too. It can bring a real culture shift. But if you’d prefer a simpler approach, the space could become a shared orchard or even a small vineyard. Who knows what you could grow, or have others do for you out of passion?
2. Consider A Sports Court
Sports courts are a supercharged means of addding value to your property (they’re often considered an even higher and rarer luxury than an outdoor pool), but they also give you a recreational perk for your family and friends too. You might even rent it out. One of the best options is a backyard pickleball court, which tends to have wide appeal. But of course, if you prefer tennis, the grounding formatting isn’t too dissimilar.
3. Develop A Wildflower Meadow
Perhaps you’d like to keep the space relatively untouched for now in order to encourage nature back into the space. Some people are buying land simply to rewild, because it’s a low-maintenance effort that also benefits the environment quite significantly.A wildflower meadow might be the way to go here. This is particularly ideal if you live in a rural area where native flowers can grow, or if bees and other pollinators like butterflies can have a grand old time and repopulate. Not only does this space look lovely but you can certainly tidy up certain areas, perhaps for seating, and use this to spend a touch fo time in nature if you wish.
A meadow not only adds beauty to your property but also attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, which is great for local biodiversity. With the right planning, you could even harvest some flowers for personal use or sell them locally. The best part? A wildflower meadow needs minimal upkeep compared to other landscaping projects, leaving you with a space that practically takes care of itself.
4. Set Up A Small Eco-Friendly Farm
That “escape to the country and run a tiny smallholding” is a dream a lot of people have. You can do that with just an acre or so if you’re economical and don’t expect to make a profitable business out of it, but more of a passion project.
In this space you can keep pigs in well-managed enclosures, turkeys, geese, chickens, and more. Just make certain to register them with the appropriate agricultural authority, invest in the last management and sheets they need, and ensure vaccinations are given.
5. Install A Small Outdoor Event Space
An acre of land is an excellent size for creating an outdoor venue of your preferred style. If you have picturesque surroundings here, you may even generate some interest in private hire. Personal or private, a lovely secret spot could be great for weddings, family reunions, or neighborhood parties, You could keep it simple with some manicured grass and a few chairs or go all out with a pergola, fairy lights, and a sound system, even a small stage if you want to perform or have a few acts there now and then. People with about this amount of land have thrown tiny folk festivals to fundraise for good causes in the community.
This option does require a little more work upfront, as you’d need to think about amenities like parking, restrooms, and even permits in some areas, depending on how you register and use the space or who you invite. You may even need to think about odd weather events depending on where you live, and how you batten down the hatches for that. But once everything’s in place, it could become a beloved local spot, even one that pays for itself over time. Having a little secret like this can feel fantastic, and puts land to good use.
6. Turn It Into A Private Retreat
All of the above can apply, but perhaps you just want to have the space for yourself. You could think about adding a small cabin, even an outbuilding to convert into a home office or creative studio depending on your line of work, a hammock grove, or even just a few benches surrounded by trees. Go as indulgent as you want. This is your space and you get to decide (mostly) how indulgent you wish to be with it. Sometimes, that just means having an escape outside of your usual property limits. No one could blame you for it! You’ll be sure to find many exterior design guides on our website in kind.
With this advice, we hope you can more easily try a few ideas for that extra acre of land on your property.
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