Some 64% of people claimed they wouldn’t buy a property if it didn’t have an outdoor area, with summerhouses, outdoor entertaining areas, external lighting, children’s treehouses, and pizza ovens now among the most value-adding garden improvements, adding almost £20,000 to the value of your home. Other garden add-ons that have gained in popularity over the last year, like a garden home office and a garden gym, could add another £10,000 on top.
The findings are taken from this year’s Home Improvement Trends Report from find-a-tradesperson platform Rated People, where potential homebuyers revealed how much extra they’d pay for different garden improvements.
To mark National Gardening Week (April 26-May 2), here are the top 20 most value-adding garden improvements experts say you can make in 2021, and how much value they’d add.
13. Contemporary horizontal slatted fencing - £3,589
Horizontal fencing is a popular garden design trend which can completely transform the look of your outside space, whether it’s for privacy or to add a contemporary look to a garden. Photo: Rated People
14. Pond - £3,572
A well-designed pond can be a sanctuary for different plants, birds and animals, and it can look fantastic too. Depending on the size of the project, this can definitely be achieved with a bit of elbow grease. Photo: Rated People
15. Artificial grass - £3,529
The all-weather benefits of artificial grass make it an attractive alternative to the real thing. You won’t need a lawnmower and it’s easy to keep clean, so it’s a great way to add greenery without the maintenance. Photo: Rated People
16. Children’s treehouse - £3,519
Anything that could help entertain the kids is going to be attractive to house hunters. Wooden playhouses can start from as little as £200, with more complex options with slides, swings, climbing walls and sand pits around £700. Photo: Rated People