A lot of focus is put onto improving the interior of your home to add more value, but your garden can possibly add even more. Gardens play a key role in impressing potential buyers and making a few simple changes can make all the difference. To learn how, here are 5 garden improvements to add value to your home.
1. Create an alfresco dining area
Eating outdoors has not just become a popular trend at restaurants and bars in recent years. It is now easier than ever to create your own alfresco dining area so you can make the most of the good weather from late-spring through to early autumn. The simple addition of a table and chair set can quickly transform how the space is used, and you can go even further by investing in cooking apparatus. Whether it’s just for the family or to entertain friends and neighbours, or just to make your home more enticing to sellers, there are no downsides to adding alfresco dining.
2. Tidy up the garden
If you have a garden and are planning on selling, making sure it looks presentable will capture the imagination of potential buyers. There are lots of easy ways to tidy up the garden without spending much, such as:
- Removing weeds from lawns and flower beds so the space looks easier on the eye.
- Trimming the lawn and edges - it opens up the space and brings the borders into focus.
- Repairing the garden shed and any fencing that needs patching or stabilising.
- Adding a few flower and plant pots to introduce a bit of colour to the garden.
3. Build an outbuilding
Loft conversions and conservatory/orangery extensions can be quite expensive and cause a lot of disruption during construction. If you have the space though, adding a garden building could be a more cost-effective alternative. It can be anything from a shed to a summerhouse, which can be used as a home office, entertainment rom, garden bar – whatever you have in mind. Planning permission isn’t usually required for an outbuilding (but always check with your local authority first) and your home won’t become a construction site for weeks on end.
4. Improve the privacy
Gardens offer a place of rest and recuperation away from the stresses of everyday life but to get the most from the space you should make it as private as possible. If you live in a terraced or semi-detached house, it’s likely you’ll have neighbouring houses that can see into your garden. If so, consider relocating the patio to a more shielded area, or add Yew hedges to block out any prying eyes. You can also use privacy screens and climbing plants as added camouflage to make your garden feel more secluded and buyers will likely pay a bit more for their own private space.
5. Keep it low maintenance
Keeping the inside of your home clean and tidy takes enough work as it is, so you should try to keep garden upkeep to a minimum. Buyers want to be impressed by the garden without worrying about the amount of work they will have to do to maintain it. Avoid installing too many features as that can be a turn-off too – buyers want to imagine the space as their own rather than making a list of all the things they’ll have to throw out if they move in. Keep the design simple and clean and you’ll likely find the right balance.