Are Gardens Still a Top Priority for UK Homebuyers?

The Pandemic Effect: A Lasting Legacy

The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped home life, transforming houses into multi-functional spaces for living, working, and leisure. The garden became an essential refuge for many, especially during lockdowns when access to outdoor spaces was limited.

The Rise of Outdoor Living: With restrictions in place, people sought ways to extend their living spaces outdoors. Gardens became alternative spaces for dining, relaxation, and even exercise. The desire to cultivate a personal, accessible outdoor area intensified, driving up demand for homes with gardens.

Shift in Buyer Priorities: Although restrictions have eased, the preference for private outdoor space remains. Homebuyers now view gardens as a desirable feature that contributes to the overall quality of life. As remote working continues for many, outdoor spaces are seen as integral to balancing work-life dynamics, where the ability to step outside into a personal green space is highly appealing.

Gardens vs. Location: A Trade-off in Urban Areas

While gardens remain desirable, city space constraints often mean prospective buyers must choose between a garden or a prime location.

City Buyers' Dilemma: For urban buyers, choosing between a spacious garden and a central location can be difficult. In major cities, properties with substantial gardens are typically further from the city centre. However, an emerging trend sees city buyers prioritising gardens over centrality, with more prepared to compromise on location if it means access to outdoor space.

Suburban Appeal: As a result, suburban areas are attracting increased interest, as they offer more space and potential for private gardens while maintaining a relatively short commute. Properties with even small garden spaces in suburban locations are becoming popular among young families and professionals seeking a balanced lifestyle.

The Environmental Factor: The Role of Green Spaces

With increasing awareness of climate change and environmental impact, many buyers value green spaces for their positive ecological benefits.

Eco-conscious Buyers: Gardens allow homeowners to create eco-friendly spaces by planting trees, wildflowers, and shrubs that support biodiversity. Many prospective buyers, especially younger generations, are drawn to homes with established gardens that offer opportunities for sustainable living, such as growing produce, composting, or maintaining a wildflower meadow to encourage pollinators.

Urban Rewilding Trend: City properties with gardens or shared green spaces are also experiencing a rise in interest due to the trend of urban rewilding. This concept encourages natural, self-sustaining garden spaces that can help counteract urbanisation's impact. For eco-minded buyers, homes with such features are beautiful, aligning with sustainable values and offering a break from hardscaped city environments.

Garden Features and Market Appeal: What Buyers Want Now

Gardens are generally appealing, but not all are equally valued. Current buyers are increasingly interested in gardens that are not only beautiful but also functional.

Low-Maintenance Gardens: Busy professionals and families often seek low-maintenance outdoor spaces that offer enjoyment without requiring extensive upkeep. Artificial turf, durable patio materials, and drought-resistant plants are popular choices for buyers who want to enjoy their gardens without dedicating excessive time to care.

Spaces for Entertaining: Gardens designed for social gatherings and entertaining continue to be in high demand. Features such as built-in seating, outdoor kitchens, and even small fire pits are growing popular, providing inviting spaces for relaxing and entertaining guests. Sellers with these features have a valuable advantage in the market.

Multi-functional Outdoor Areas: Buyers are also drawn to versatile garden spaces, where a garden can accommodate several functions. For instance, a garden with a patio, children's play area, and vegetable patch caters to different lifestyle needs, appealing to a wide audience of potential buyers.

Well-being and the Mental Health Benefits of Gardens

The mental health benefits of spending time outdoors are well-documented, and post-pandemic, these benefits have become more widely appreciated by buyers.

A Personal Sanctuary: Many buyers see gardens as extensions of their living space, with the potential to become personal sanctuaries for relaxation and stress relief. Nature exposure has proven mental health benefits, such as reducing stress, boosting mood, and improving concentration. Buyers, particularly those leading busy lives, view gardens as essential spaces where they can unwind and enjoy the healing effects of nature.

Mindful Gardening: Interest in mindful gardening - a practice of gardening to promote mental well-being - is also increasing. This trend is particularly strong among older buyers and those with flexible schedules, who appreciate the calming effects of gardening and the opportunity to cultivate something tangible. For such buyers, the presence of a garden space can be a determining factor when choosing a property.

Gardens and Property Value: An Investment Worth Making?

A garden can enhance a property's appeal and increase its market value, depending on the outdoor space's type, size, and features.

Added Value for Sellers: Research suggests that a well-maintained garden can add 5-10% to a property's value. Features like a manicured lawn, established trees or even a small patio can be valuable investments for sellers looking to attract higher offers. Homes with south-facing gardens, which receive more sunlight throughout the day, are often priced higher than those without.

Sustainability as a Selling Point: Buyers are increasingly interested in sustainable properties, so adding eco-friendly features to a garden - such as solar lighting, rainwater harvesting, or native plants - can make a property more attractive. Sellers investing in these features may see higher demand as they align with contemporary values and reflect a forward-thinking approach to home design.

While the UK property market constantly evolves, many buyers find gardens desirable. The pandemic reinforced the value of outdoor spaces. Still, the lasting appeal lies in gardens' lifestyle benefits, from sustainability and mental health support to versatility and social appeal.

For sellers, maximising the appeal of their garden spaces can be a key differentiator in today's market. Whether focusing on low-maintenance designs, multi-functional layouts, or eco-friendly features, enhancing a property's outdoor appeal could make a difference in attracting offers from today's discerning buyers.