Why is it so important to create an impressive outdoor space and why it's worth investing in your garden before selling?
It is known that the outdoors is good for the soul, your home is a place of sanctuary, where you can switch off and be yourself and express your personality. Creating the perfect garden to reflect both is not always an easy task yet desired by most.
When selling your home, a garden should highlight that feeling of peace, tranquillity, harmony and relaxation. An easy on the eye garden enables people to envisage a calm and happy existence.
Okay, so I am preaching from a slightly biased perspective due to my love of plants and I do spend most of my spare time in the garden slowly working on the 'bigger picture' project I have planned over the next few years.
However, I also spent quite a few years running garden centres, being head of merchandising for a garden centre group and working on various garden projects including chelsea flower show so I see when you put plants together in a formation or design that is attractive to the eye and gives that wow factor I know it can steel the hearts of the most novice of gardeners.
So if you know your garden could do with a little TLC before it goes on the market to create a little of that wow factor then here's some answers to questions you may find yourself asking and a few tips to help incentivise
How much value does a garden add to a property?
Gardens are highly sought-after especially if you live in a built up area or city, that feeling of outdoor space can be a really longed for after a busy day in the office and having one can increase your property’s value by as much as 20% depending on the size and style
Changes in buyer wish lists also mean gardens are more of a priority since the Covid-19 pandemic, with 63% saying they wanted a bigger garden in their next home.
Which features add most value to a garden?
1. A Garden room
A garden room can add up to 15% onto a property's value. If for example you don't have a study within your home, an outdoor garden office showcases that it provides a good working environment to perspective buyers. You could also use a garden room as place to relax or even as a small holiday annexe for guests
2. A place to entertain and relax
Creating a patio or space that enables people to gather, sit and relax will entice buyers to see that there is an area of the garden to host their friends and family. In a small garden create flow from the back door straight out onto a patio. In a larger garden, creating different zones for different types of entertainment such as a cosy intimate space with a firepit for those long summer evenings, a dining/bbq area and a place for sun loungers for relaxation
3. Privacy within your Garden
If you have neighbours either side or behind you it can be tricky to have total privacy. However there are a few things that can be done to help.
Tall evergreen shrubs add all year privacy and if chosen wisely they can be slow growers so you don't have to spend too much time pruning them back. Bamboo can be a great modern evergreen screen but be careful which variety you choose as some can be very invasive and roots can take hold of the garden. Opt for clump forming bamboo such as Fargesia robusta Campbell or Fargesia robusta 'Formidable Wenchuan'
Attractive fencing can obviously give privacy, there are many types of fencing out there, even using upright sleepers can be a great alternative as they are deep as well as tall so can help also block out noise.
A pergola can add privacy if sides are included in the design, although this can be a more costly option. If you have a larger garden with not many large trees to enclose it then a pergola can also become a focal point in the garden adding value to the garden as it creates a another entertainment space
4. Add storage
If you don't have have a garage then I would highly recommend ensuring you have a shed to store all your tools and garden equipment. If you do have one already give it a good tidy before going to market as there's nothing worse than seeing what could potentially be a buyers left over nightmare to clear and get rid off. I bought a property once and I overlooked the stuff the previous owners had in the basement, thinking 'of course they will clear all that' and nope, the minute I moved in I then had old bikes, plastic tubs and even old radiators left that was suddenly my problem to clear!
Having a large shed also sends a message of additional space for say a garden gym, man cave dare I say it or a hobby work space.
5. Outdoor lighting
Mood lighting can add dramatic effect to plants that are impactful such as these large palms.
If done right lighting can really enhance a space without really knowing it
Whether you need lighting to light up a pathway or a drive or if it is to add cosiness and warmth to an entertainment space, it is worth getting it right especially for a large garden with many features such as a pool as it defines space and sets the tone of luxury and practicality
6. Additional parking
These days having a good amount of parking space relevant to the size of the property is a real bonus. Our home in Cornwall had only two parking spaces for a five bedroom house. Although we own two cars we have guests come and go quite often so as the side of our back garden backs onto the road we decided to take down the old hedge, take 2 metres of garden and turn the area easily into 3 additional parking spaces. We still have plenty of garden and the cars are not even visible from the back of the house or garden so it has been a good move to create the much needed parking area.
Is it worth getting in a garden designer in before you sell?
That depends on a few things such as time, budget and if the house has newly been renovated and if the garden is more like a jungle than an enjoyable outdoor space.
few property developers will request the help of a garden designer in the early stages of development as the garden is a complete blank canvas. They can help achieve a great generic look and style to suit the area, the soil type (as this can mean life or death for some certain types of plants) the budget and the type of family they are appealing to, (a family home will have a garden designed to suit the whole family including the children, a small courtyard garden suitable for a busy working coupe may be designed with their lifestyle such as a small patio area, bbq and easy maintenance planting.
If your garden is like an abandoned forest yet your house is in good order then I would highly recommend having your garden designed professionally to create something that would really suit your potential buyers lifestyle as this would really help sell the property.
Garden jobs that can be done over a weekend to enhance the overall property appeal...
Weeding - This job is tedious yet essential as it instantly lifts any garden and make it look more cared for. Ensure all weeds are taken out not just sprayed and left looking dead along the driveway, paths and garden
Mow the lawn - Yes this sounds a little obvious but I have seen lawns that are long at viewings and just by trimming it gives it a clean fresh look. If you have a few weeks before putting it on the market then I would potentially get in a lawn specialist to treat the lawn so that it is lush green for the Summer
Tidy the shed and garage - A real must for anyone wishing to sell their home. Viewers can get a real feel of the size of the storage space once it is tidy. It shows space for a car in the garage and the shed maybe large enough to show multiple use
If your garden has borders but they lack colour for the time of year your thinking of selling then its a good idea to pop to your local nursery and see what perennials are flowering through the Summer long. If you have a border with a lot of space then buy the plants in groups of 3 as planting this way gives impact. Planting lots of different varieties in one bed looks very busy and cluttered unless your going for a cottage garden feel.
Plants that don't cost the earth that can instantly enhance your garden to entice potential buyers
Salvia is my absolute favourite flowering Perennial. Most varieties flower from late Spring all through into late Summer
alvia x sylvestris ‘caradonna’ has slender upright spires of rich blue-velvet flowers on dark stems
They cost approx £7 -£20 per plant depending on the time of year you buy them. Grown in amongst a border or along a path with tall grasses add vibrancy and texture
Purple sage 'Purpurascens' is an aromatic, semi-evergreen dwarf shrub with purple young foliage and stems and is draught tolerant and adds colourful foliage to any front border or wall. It seems to survive the toughest of sunny spots
They cost from as little as £5 a plant in early spring and rapidly bulk out over the summer
Ornamental grasses make great companions to many other plants, enhancing the whole look of a planting scheme, with contrasting form and foliage. Some are evergreen and invaluable for all year interest. They add texture, flow nicely and have a graceful appearance and come in a range of sizes and shades of green, yellow and red.
Switch Grass, Panicum Virgatum has a lovely red tip with fluffy stems. They add instant texture and cost
around £8 a plant
Buxus Microphylla Faulkner (Box Faulkner) – Ball is fabulous at creating a statement to any front door entrance or within a border
They add a hint of luxury to any garden
They cost £30 -£300 depending on the size as they are slow growers
They don't like soil too dry or very wet
There are so many more plants to give instant impact but these are a few of my favourites. Pop down to your local garden centre or nursery and chat to an experienced plants person for more advice.
If you would like more advice or some help with getting your garden ready to sell do get in contact with Idle Living via email [email protected]