Does Garden Landscaping Add Value to a Property?

Well-planned garden landscaping doesn’t just make an outdoor space more enjoyable to use. It can also improve your property’s kerb appeal and saleability – and even increase its value.

When buyers view a property, the garden forms part of their overall impression. It influences first reactions, listing photos and how much work they think it’ll need after moving in. As such, a well-maintained, ready-to-use garden will make your home more appealing from the outset.

In this guide, we’ll look at recent research to explain how and why garden landscaping could add value to your property. We’ll also draw on insights from experienced negotiator Amy Jackson from Abbey Properties in Eynsham to highlight the features that home buyers value most – and what to avoid. Pl us the key areas to focus on when making exterior improvements.

Does good landscaping add value to a property?

In many cases, the answer is a resounding yes. Research suggests that a well-thought-out garden that is looked after can increase a property’s value by between 5% and 20%. The exact amount will depend on the scale and quality of the work. However, the general consensus is that investing in garden landscaping should reap financial benefits over time.

Research by Zoopla and the Society of Garden Designers shows that half of home buyers feel a well-designed garden is just as important as a well-designed kitchen. Structural additions like a covered patio, outdoor kitchen or garden building can also add greater perceived value.

Presentation matters more than you might think too. In fact, 47% of those surveyed said they had been put off buying a property because of the garden’s condition.

Amy suggests that: “Outside areas create a good first impression with buyers. If the garden looks cared for, there is a positive perception that the property will be equally well maintained.”

Thoughtful landscaping could therefore make a real difference to your home’s saleability.

Landscaping features that home buyer’s value

Outdoor living and entertaining spaces

With summers getting warmer, people are spending more time in their gardens. Entertaining at home is also becoming increasingly popular in light of cost-of-living struggles. As such, having defined spaces for outdoor dining and relaxing is highly desirable. Patios and decking provide practical zones for family meals and hosting, and can be paired with a pergola for shade.

As Amy explains, “buyers often view paving and decking as additional usable space – an extension of a property’s living area, if you will. Neat lawns, hard-standing paths and outdoor lighting also help to make a garden feel more organised and easier to use.”

Low-maintenance garden landscaping

While most people enjoy relaxing in their garden, they don’t necessarily want to spend lots of time maintaining it. With that in mind, a low maintenance garden is a strong selling point — especially for busy working households and families.

But that doesn’t mean stripping a garden back to bare paving. As Amy explains: “Easy to maintain gardens are desirable, but that does not mean bland. People don’t just want a large expanse of grass. Colourful plants and level areas for entertaining and playing are important.”

We’d recommend slow-growing shrubs and small trees that provide structure and long-term interest with minimal upkeep. Avoid planting schemes that rely on annual replanting, and install practical surfaces like gravel to protect your plant beds and stone paving for outdoor seating areas.

Garden rooms and home offices

Home offices are increasingly sought after, with 1 in 4 people now working in hybrid roles across the UK. Garden rooms can be used for work or as a dedicated space for hobbies and exercise, giving you more room indoors. Easy access from the house matters just as much as the building itself, so you’ll want to ensure it feels properly connected to the rest of the garden.

As Amy points out, “Nobody wants to cross a muddy lawn to get to their home office in the winter.” Adding a well-defined path will help keep these spaces usable throughout the year.

Garden storage

Storage is another feature that buyers value. Even where a garage is available, additional outdoor storage is seen as a bonus. High-quality sheds remain a popular choice, providing a secure place to store tools, bikes and equipment to keep your garden clutter-free.

Our sister business, Oxford Garden Centre, offers a range of Shire timber sheds and garden storage options. This includes single and double door designs, potting sheds, bike stores and lockable cupboards for smaller items, with free national delivery available on many models.

Privacy and security

Sturdy fencing and secure gates not only improve privacy but also define boundaries clearly. This helps a garden feel more secure, structured and properly maintained.

As Amy explains: “A secure and neatly fenced rear garden is important to buyers, providing a safe space for children and pets. In front gardens, defining boundaries is good, but if you use fencing, choose low or open panels to prevent the area looking like a compound.”

Outdoor lighting along paths and near entrances further enhances safety and security. While subtle illumination around seating areas allows the garden to be enjoyed in the evening.

Well-maintained lawns

Areas of grass remain an important part of garden landscaping. A healthy lawn adds colour, creates space for children and dogs to play, and helps balance out harder surfaces. Just bear in mind that lawns must be well cared for and easy to maintain. Grass that is patchy, full of weeds or affected by moss can quickly detract from an otherwise tidy garden.

Whether you’re planning to re-turf completely or simply revive tired areas, AWBS stocks a variety of premium Rolawn turf and grass seed for projects of all sizes. We also stock lawn edging options to help keep your grass contained and create a clean border.

Practical front gardens with kerb appeal

Off-street parking is often high on buyers’ priority lists, making a durable driveway a valuable addition. Additionally, vehicle charging points are becoming increasingly desirable.

Block paving, hardwearing gravel and resin-bound driveway surfaces are all great choices. Each provides a long-lasting finish while keeping maintenance manageable and ensuring good surface drainage.

Clear paths, defined boundaries and simple planting schemes all make front gardens more appealing. As Amy highlights, “Kerb appeal is key. The importance of a good first impression cannot be overstated.”

Key areas for garden improvement

If you’re preparing to sell, your garden’s presentation is crucial. So much so that research by Argos found that untidy gardens can result in offers more than 12% below the asking price!

As Amy notes, “the problem is that homeowners who have lived in a property for years don’t always notice issues in their own garden”. Here are some things to look out for when planning improvements to your garden landscaping:

• Cut back overgrown trees, hedges and shrubs to reveal the true size of the space and its boundaries, and to let in more light – sunny gardens appeal to home buyers.
• Clean and repair patios, decking and paving, fixing any loose slabs, worn pointing or rotten timber to help your outside space look its best.
• Replace or repair broken fencing and gates to improve both the appearance and security of your garden.
• Keep lawns neat and healthy, free from weeds and moss.
• Reduce clutter, including excessive planters or decorative features, so buyers can see the full space and visualise how they might use it.

And remember, while minimal maintenance is a key selling point, buyers still want colour and structure. Simple improvements such as topping up gravel, adding bark chippings or mulch to borders and refreshing planting can make your garden look tidier, balanced and more inviting.