Fun Houzz: 11 Surprising Discoveries About UK Garden Habits
Put down your secateurs and pop your head over the hedge to discover what Houzzers want in their outdoor spaces
Andrea Von
14 August 2015
Formerly editor at thegreenhubonline.com and Houzz UK Editorial Staff. I'm passionate about sustainability, innovative architecture and clever design.
Formerly editor at thegreenhubonline.com and Houzz UK Editorial Staff. I'm passionate... More
Houzz UK’s 2015 Landscaping & Garden Trends Report has revealed some enlightening – and intriguing – facts about UK and Irish homeowners. According to the survey, which questioned 2,200 people, there are some interesting regional differences.
For example, it reveals that Mancunians are equipped to throw the best garden parties, while Northern Irish Houzzers are the most devoted gardeners. However, it also found that most of us love a shed, and that more of us than you might expect are fond of gnomes. We’re a busy lot, too, with one third of Houzzers having recently completed, are in the midst of, or are planning to undertake, an outdoor project in 2015. Read on for some more of the key findings.
For example, it reveals that Mancunians are equipped to throw the best garden parties, while Northern Irish Houzzers are the most devoted gardeners. However, it also found that most of us love a shed, and that more of us than you might expect are fond of gnomes. We’re a busy lot, too, with one third of Houzzers having recently completed, are in the midst of, or are planning to undertake, an outdoor project in 2015. Read on for some more of the key findings.
On average, gardens outsize homes
Across the country, the majority of gardens outsize the average UK home. According to RIBA’s 2011 The Case for Space Report, the average home is 85 sq m. The Houzz survey, however, has found that 64 percent of Houzzers have gardens of more than 51 sq m, and only 24 percent are under 50 sq m – surely just a dream for the Londoners among you!
Across the country, the majority of gardens outsize the average UK home. According to RIBA’s 2011 The Case for Space Report, the average home is 85 sq m. The Houzz survey, however, has found that 64 percent of Houzzers have gardens of more than 51 sq m, and only 24 percent are under 50 sq m – surely just a dream for the Londoners among you!
Mancunians are the most well-equipped hosts
Despite Londoners on the whole having smaller outdoor spaces, Houzzers in the capital sure do love sharing them with friends and family – 45 percent declared entertaining as a priority outdoor activity versus 34 percent nationwide.
It seems though, that northerners are the best equipped for hosting – 38 percent of Manchester gardens have fairy lights, 35 percent have barbecues and 15 percent have outdoor music systems.
Despite Londoners on the whole having smaller outdoor spaces, Houzzers in the capital sure do love sharing them with friends and family – 45 percent declared entertaining as a priority outdoor activity versus 34 percent nationwide.
It seems though, that northerners are the best equipped for hosting – 38 percent of Manchester gardens have fairy lights, 35 percent have barbecues and 15 percent have outdoor music systems.
Natural lawn is on the way out
You may be surprised to learn that, even though homeowners love their edible and ornamental plants and want to have to more nature-focused lifestyles, of the 88 percent who already have a natural lawn, almost half (44 percent) of these plan to reduce theirs in size or replace it with artificial grass (11 percent), paving (52 percent) or other materials (37 percent) such as stone slabs, pebbles, natural rock, gravel, wood or brick.
Not at all surprising, then, to discover that 57 percent of Houzzers surveyed also prioritise gardens that are easy to maintain.
You may be surprised to learn that, even though homeowners love their edible and ornamental plants and want to have to more nature-focused lifestyles, of the 88 percent who already have a natural lawn, almost half (44 percent) of these plan to reduce theirs in size or replace it with artificial grass (11 percent), paving (52 percent) or other materials (37 percent) such as stone slabs, pebbles, natural rock, gravel, wood or brick.
Not at all surprising, then, to discover that 57 percent of Houzzers surveyed also prioritise gardens that are easy to maintain.
Houzzers need more space
The main reasons given for undertaking a garden project were aesthetics (69 percent) and entertaining (49 percent).
However, when redesigning an outdoor space, 12 percent also prioritise storage, with 42 percent of these Houzzers keen to create the space to store bicycles.
Recently purchased houses (41 percent) and houses with dilapidated old gardens (28 percent) were the most likely to be getting upgrades.
Not planning a major upgrade? Steal some of these ideas for an outdoor feature wall
The main reasons given for undertaking a garden project were aesthetics (69 percent) and entertaining (49 percent).
However, when redesigning an outdoor space, 12 percent also prioritise storage, with 42 percent of these Houzzers keen to create the space to store bicycles.
Recently purchased houses (41 percent) and houses with dilapidated old gardens (28 percent) were the most likely to be getting upgrades.
Not planning a major upgrade? Steal some of these ideas for an outdoor feature wall
Brummies are an active bunch
Houzzers spend their time outdoors mainly gardening, relaxing, eating or entertaining. What else is there to do? Well, if you live in Birmingham, exercise is probably high up on that list – one in five Brummies said that they spend their outdoor time exercising.
The Northern Irish are the most avid gardeners (79 percent said that this was their main outdoor activity – 12 percent more than the rest of the nation), while the Welsh are the most inclined to relax outdoors (69 percent versus 60 percent for the rest of the country).
Houzzers spend their time outdoors mainly gardening, relaxing, eating or entertaining. What else is there to do? Well, if you live in Birmingham, exercise is probably high up on that list – one in five Brummies said that they spend their outdoor time exercising.
The Northern Irish are the most avid gardeners (79 percent said that this was their main outdoor activity – 12 percent more than the rest of the nation), while the Welsh are the most inclined to relax outdoors (69 percent versus 60 percent for the rest of the country).
Socialising outdoors is great… when you can do it in private
Gardening, exercising and relaxing may be the main practical reasons to spend time in the garden, but homeowners can’t seem to escape the social aspect of being outdoors. Creating a space for entertaining (49 percent) and for families (44 percent) are the two main reasons for upgrades. Slightly more Houzzers (54 percent) cited increasing privacy as a motivation to upgrade their gardens.
Gardening, exercising and relaxing may be the main practical reasons to spend time in the garden, but homeowners can’t seem to escape the social aspect of being outdoors. Creating a space for entertaining (49 percent) and for families (44 percent) are the two main reasons for upgrades. Slightly more Houzzers (54 percent) cited increasing privacy as a motivation to upgrade their gardens.
Gardens are hiding surprising items
Two percent of those planning an outdoor project want to build a treehouse, and just slightly more (four percent) plan to include a hot tub or sauna. No wonder most upgraders want more privacy!
For those who are dreaming smaller, one-third of the 36 percent of homeowners who don’t already have a shed plan to build one.
Be inspired by one of these 10 eye-catching sheds
Two percent of those planning an outdoor project want to build a treehouse, and just slightly more (four percent) plan to include a hot tub or sauna. No wonder most upgraders want more privacy!
For those who are dreaming smaller, one-third of the 36 percent of homeowners who don’t already have a shed plan to build one.
Be inspired by one of these 10 eye-catching sheds
Houzzers aspire to The Good Life
More than half of the homeowners surveyed appear to be nostalgic about a certain self-sufficiency-themed 1970s sitcom, and plan to plant edibles as part of their garden upgrade.
84 percent want to grow herbs, while 90 percent already do. Many also plan to grow vegetables of the leafy (62 percent), podded (52 percent), bulb (48 percent) or root (44 percent) varieties, and berries are popular, too (56 percent).
For those who don’t quite have the space to grow herbs outdoors, here are some creative indoor herb gardens
More than half of the homeowners surveyed appear to be nostalgic about a certain self-sufficiency-themed 1970s sitcom, and plan to plant edibles as part of their garden upgrade.
84 percent want to grow herbs, while 90 percent already do. Many also plan to grow vegetables of the leafy (62 percent), podded (52 percent), bulb (48 percent) or root (44 percent) varieties, and berries are popular, too (56 percent).
For those who don’t quite have the space to grow herbs outdoors, here are some creative indoor herb gardens
Professional help is in demand
Of those planning an outdoor project nearly half (44 percent) will be hiring a professional and one-third of homeowners said that they upgrade their grounds at least every five years or less. (Good news for all the garden professionals in the Houzz community!)
Enlisting an expert could be a wise move, too, considering the drainage and flooding issues 20 percent of homeowners face during upgrade works. Wales (27 percent), South West (27 percent), North East (28 percent) and Scotland (28 percent) were the regions most affected by flooding.
Of those planning an outdoor project nearly half (44 percent) will be hiring a professional and one-third of homeowners said that they upgrade their grounds at least every five years or less. (Good news for all the garden professionals in the Houzz community!)
Enlisting an expert could be a wise move, too, considering the drainage and flooding issues 20 percent of homeowners face during upgrade works. Wales (27 percent), South West (27 percent), North East (28 percent) and Scotland (28 percent) were the regions most affected by flooding.
Houzzers are environmentally conscious
Solar-powered lights (28 percent), rainwater harvesting (30 percent) and compost heaps (40 percent) were the most common eco features that Houzzers planned to include as part of their outdoor project. Living walls (eight percent) are also in fashion – and why not? They look great and can be installed almost anywhere.
Be inspred by some more living walls featured on Houzz
Solar-powered lights (28 percent), rainwater harvesting (30 percent) and compost heaps (40 percent) were the most common eco features that Houzzers planned to include as part of their outdoor project. Living walls (eight percent) are also in fashion – and why not? They look great and can be installed almost anywhere.
Be inspred by some more living walls featured on Houzz
Little creatures are getting a lot of love
Just under half (40 percent) of the people undertaking a garden upgrade plan to include wildlife-attracting features. And bees are the little creatures of the moment – bee-attracting plants feature on 55 percent of answers – but it seems homeowners can’t look past bird boxes and birdbaths (47 percent) as staples in their garden.
It may come as a surprise that Houzzers are also quite fond of gnomes. Nine percent of 25- to 35-year-olds already have at least one gnome watching over their gardens, and five percent of upgraders plan to give one of these kitsch diddy folk a home.
Check out these expert tips for creating a wildlife haven
TELL US…
Are you planning an outdoor project or have you recently completed one? Share your ideas and stories with us in the Comments below. We’d love to hear from you.
Just under half (40 percent) of the people undertaking a garden upgrade plan to include wildlife-attracting features. And bees are the little creatures of the moment – bee-attracting plants feature on 55 percent of answers – but it seems homeowners can’t look past bird boxes and birdbaths (47 percent) as staples in their garden.
It may come as a surprise that Houzzers are also quite fond of gnomes. Nine percent of 25- to 35-year-olds already have at least one gnome watching over their gardens, and five percent of upgraders plan to give one of these kitsch diddy folk a home.
Check out these expert tips for creating a wildlife haven
TELL US…
Are you planning an outdoor project or have you recently completed one? Share your ideas and stories with us in the Comments below. We’d love to hear from you.
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Seniordiva your garden looks lovely - I've just seen this post and I'll bet it's looking good now as well that Autumn is here.