Britain is a nation of keen gardeners, and that passion only seems to be growing. In fact, House Beautiful reports that 37% of Brits are spending more time in their garden now compared to five years ago.
Despite offering a space to relax and unwind after a long day of work, making improvements to your garden could also substantially increase the value of your property.
Some of the changes you can make to your green space are relatively inexpensive, too, and can make a big difference when it comes to selling your home. So, continue reading to discover eight gardening tips that could increase the value of your property.
1. Build a shed
Perhaps surprisingly, a shed was revealed as the most sought-after garden feature. According to House Beautiful, 82% of property professionals claim that a decent-sized shed is the feature that boosts value most.
As you can imagine, the practical uses of a shed are almost endless – it could be used as a place to store your tools, or even a hideaway to retreat to after a long day of work.
Aside from its practical uses, a shed can considerably increase the value of your home. In fact, The Telegraph reports that a shed can instantly add £12,000 to the value of a house.
2. Install a purpose-built garden office or room
Similar to a shed, a purpose-built garden room can also increase the value of your home. After all, who wouldn’t want to relax in a spacious garden room, or work from home away from the bustle of your family?
Surprisingly, Martin & Co reports that garden rooms can add as much as 15% to the value of your property.
Better yet, garden rooms can be multifunctional – you could use it as an office, a gym or even just a space to relax. And, following the Covid-19 pandemic and the rise of working from home, the demand for garden rooms has grown in recent years.
3. Use forced perspective to make your garden seem larger
If you don’t have the money to make improvements to your garden, you could always use “forced perspective” to your advantage.
If you position small, medium-sized, and large plants and pots in sequence, the repetition and decreasing size can sometimes create an optical illusion and make your garden seem larger than it is.
If you have a smaller garden and would struggle to use forced perspective, you could always install a point of interest, such as a mirror or water feature, to immediately add personality.
4. Give any fences or sheds a fresh coat of paint
Installing a fence, or sprucing up an existing one, can both make your garden more private and increase the value of your property.
In fact, research from fencing supplier Birkdale states that a well-maintained garden fence can increase the value of a property by roughly 20%.
If you already have a fence, it may be worth giving it a fresh coat of paint. If you use a colour that complements the rest of the space, this can do wonders for brightening up your garden.
5. Increase your home’s “kerb appeal”
When it comes to selling your home, it’s important to keep kerb appeal in mind. As such, it may be worth sprucing up your front garden to leave a strong first impression on viewers. You may want to think about removing any weeds, tidying away any clutter, and cutting back overgrown plants.
You shouldn’t just tidy up your front garden, either – it may be best to paint your front door and clean your windows, too.
In fact, research from House Beautiful shows that nearly a third of Brits are willing to pay 25% more for a home with a fresh lick of paint on the front door, a well-kept front garden and clean windows.
6. Boost your garden’s privacy
Everyone loves a bit of privacy, especially when it’s their own garden. So, making your garden more private is another way to boost the value of your property. A good way to do this could be by planting taller, more mature plants – such as yews – along the border.
You could also use a pergola to screen your garden, or better yet, grow wisteria through the pergola to fully privatise your patio. Or, if you have a fence that isn’t very private, you could install trellis along the fence for climbing plants.
7. Add hanging baskets
Hanging baskets are the perfect way to add value to your garden if you’re limited on space. Better yet, it takes minimal effort to keep hanging baskets looking great, potentially making them the perfect choice for those who are too busy to maintain a large garden.
8. Consider adding paving slabs or a patio
If you’re willing to spend a little extra on your garden, it may be worth laying paving slabs or a paved patio. Doing so provides the perfect platform for any outdoor furniture and fittings – your garden could quickly turn into a go-to social area for you and the family.
If you already have a patio or a slab path, it may be worth getting the power washer out before you have any house viewings. You’d be surprised at how much dirt they pick up over the years, and a quick blast with the power washer can make a significant difference.
Get in touch
If you’re thinking of selling your home and need mortgage advice, then we can help.
Please email enquire@london-money.co.uk or call (0207) 808 4120 to find out more.