Great garden design can not only add value to your home, but can extend your living area into the outdoors

Great British Life: Decking is a popular garden design trendDecking is a popular garden design trend (Image: zhudifeng)

We spend a small fortune on interior design, but often our gardens get overlooked. However, research from mytoolshed.co.uk revealed that an attractive garden can add 20 per cent to the value of a home. ‘It transforms landscapes and can even transform lives by inspiring people to realise the full potential of their outdoor surroundings,’ explains garden designer James Scott of The Garden Company. ‘The result is a place of beauty for people to relax and retreat from their busy everyday lives, or to gather with family and friends.’

Aim to create a space that complements the style of house and on a practical basis decide how you will use the garden - there may be the opportunity to ‘borrow views’ from the surrounding countryside. Decking and paved areas can help separate the garden into different areas, and a contemporary gazebo added on to a house will create a focal point.

Garden improvements may range from good lawncare to adding outdoor furniture, and a water feature and planters are a simple way to add colour and interest. We may be limited with balmy summer evenings, but outside lighting not only adds ambiance and interest, it will give added security and extend the time you can spend outside.

Although there are trends in garden design, much of it is quite timeless, says James. ‘The end of a design project is the start of a long process of nurturing a garden to its full potential and – although garden designers introduce new products and materials – in the main we design with a long-term vision in mind rather than following a particular fashion.’

One trend that has prevailed recently has been an increased interest in growing fruit and vegetables at home. This can range from containers on terraces for growing vegetables and herbs, to installing greenhouses for those with the space available. ‘People are tuned into the journey from “garden to table”, plant-based diets are more popular than ever and many people would like to reduce their food bills. In the light of the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been a surge of activity around “grow your own”.’

As in all areas of life there is a growing awareness of environmental issues. More people are selecting plants that are native species and sourcing local materials that fit comfortably within a setting. ‘We anticipate that this trend will gather strength, with concern for local wildlife also becoming a bigger part of garden design. Big or small, a private garden can be a healthy haven for wildlife and there are a host of simple measures that can be beneficial, such as replacing fences with green boundaries, creating ponds and water features, providing pollen-rich plants for bees and other insects, and planting wildflower borders and meadows.’

Well-designed and thought out gardens will not only help sell a property, they are a great place to spend time in. As one client told James: ‘My garden makes me happy – every day’.