Investing In Gardens 'Could Increase Property Value By 20%'
Springtime is said to be the most popular time to buy and/or sell a home, according to Rightmove, and so many homeowners will look to invest in improvements that will add the value to their home.
A survey by Barker and Stonehouse reveals that the garden should be a focal area of improvement for potential sellers, as the luxury furniture brand shares that six in 10 people wouldn’t buy or rent a house without a garden, whilst a further third deems a garden very important.
A garden is also a key selling point for potential first-time buyers, as around half of millennials and gen Z state they wouldn’t buy a home without a garden.
Magdalena Gierasinska, Head of Product and Displays at Barker and Stonehouse, adds: "A well-maintained garden can make a huge difference when selling a home. It’s often the first thing potential buyers see, and first impressions count. A blank or neglected garden can be an instant turn-off, while a thoughtfully designed space can add real value and set a home apart from others on the market.”
How much value does a garden add to a property?
Speaking to Stephen Lovelady, Estate Agent at Barton-Wyatt, he explains: “A well-landscaped garden that complements the home can increase property value by up to 20%, making it one of the smartest investments a homeowner can make before selling.”
What do people use their garden for?
The survey also revealed how UK homeowners utilise their gardens, with relaxing (71%) and hosting and dining (53%) being the most common uses.
Magdalena adds: "Buyers are drawn to gardens that feel like an extension of the home – spaces that are both beautiful and functional. Features like structured planting, defined seating areas and low-maintenance landscaping can make a property far more attractive, especially as we see increased interest in indoor outdoor living.”
"With over half of people using their garden space for hosting and dining, outdoor entertaining spaces are particularly in demand, so a well-thought-out seating area, a large dining table, or a parasol with lighting can create an aspirational space that buyers will love,” she adds.
The most popular garden designs
The style of garden you have could also alter the value of your property, according to the survey, with an English country garden style being the most in demand.
- English country garden (56%)
- Wild garden (21%)
- Contemporary garden (19%)
- Urban garden (17%)
- Mediterranean garden (12%)
The English country garden has long been a staple of British homes, and it’s still the nation’s favourite garden style by far. Magdalena shares how to create this garden design, saying: “Defined by lush flower beds, winding pathways and neatly clipped hedges, it creates a beautifully layered and elegant outdoor space.
"With the rise of period dramas like Bridgerton and Rivals, this timeless look is making a stylish comeback. Even in a smaller urban garden, you can embrace the charm by introducing structured greenery, bursts of colour and well-placed hedging to create a sense of grandeur, and no country estate required.”
Touching on the wild garden design, Magdalena explains: “Wild gardens are characterised by informal designs filled with lush planting, meandering pathways and spaces where nature can flourish freely. This growing trend shows a shift towards cultivating gardens that feel inviting, functional and low-maintenance while providing a space that encourages biodiversity.”
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To achieve the look, Magdalena suggests: “Choose garden furniture with open, airy designs that allow your garden to remain the focal point. Pieces with slender frames, woven details or foldable designs can feel less imposing in a natural setting.
“Lightweight benches, bistro sets or moveable chairs also offer flexibility, letting you adapt your seating area to follow the sun, shade or seasonal blooms without disturbing the garden’s delicate balance."
Despite small home living increasing, with interest in flats surpassing that of terraced housing from 2022 onwards, urban gardens are less popular, with just 17% of people favouring this style.
Magdalena adds: “Even in London, where outdoor space is limited, over half (55%) of Londoners prefer the charm of an English country garden, proving that we’re all still dreaming of a slice of countryside.”
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