10 Surprising Facts About Irish Homeowners and Their Gardens
Are we still as green-fingered as we once were? Our latest Houzz survey reveals Ireland’s most popular gardening trends
There’s no denying Irish Houzzers love their outdoor spaces. Recent findings in the Houzz Ireland Landscaping and Garden Trends Study 2016 found that the way we use our gardens has evolved, with outdoor entertaining and relaxing becoming our favourite way to spend time outside. Meanwhile, the traditional lawn is shrinking in size, our flowerbeds are expanding, and play spaces for our children (and our pets) are a key feature in ever-more Irish garden revamps.
And with 77% of Houzzers falling back in love with their garden after a renovation and spending more time there, it’s clear garden makeovers have had nothing but a positive impact on Irish outdoor living.
And with 77% of Houzzers falling back in love with their garden after a renovation and spending more time there, it’s clear garden makeovers have had nothing but a positive impact on Irish outdoor living.
Our pets are part of the equation
Our Houzz study found that 40% of us are making pet-related upgrades to our outdoor area. Creating space in which our furry friends can run and play (31%) and incorporating toxin-free plants (24%) are the most popular choices, while some (6%) have even installed paths for pampered pets to explore.
Our Houzz study found that 40% of us are making pet-related upgrades to our outdoor area. Creating space in which our furry friends can run and play (31%) and incorporating toxin-free plants (24%) are the most popular choices, while some (6%) have even installed paths for pampered pets to explore.
Lawns are shrinking
67% of Irish Houzzers would much rather replace some of their lawn with an eye-catching garden bed.
Are we falling out of love with grass? Of the 80% of garden renovators who have an existing lawn, 25% are reducing its size, and 10% are removing it altogether.
67% of Irish Houzzers would much rather replace some of their lawn with an eye-catching garden bed.
Are we falling out of love with grass? Of the 80% of garden renovators who have an existing lawn, 25% are reducing its size, and 10% are removing it altogether.
Low maintenance is a key factor
While we might be putting the effort into growing larger flowerbeds, the survey also found the key consideration for most of us is a garden that’s easy to maintain.
70% of us prioritise an outdoor space that won’t grow out of control, and is easy to keep all year round. As we seem to be becoming less inclined to put on the gardening gloves and get stuck in, patios and terraces were the most popular updated structural elements, with 52% of us choosing to create a paved (or decked) haven.
While we might be putting the effort into growing larger flowerbeds, the survey also found the key consideration for most of us is a garden that’s easy to maintain.
70% of us prioritise an outdoor space that won’t grow out of control, and is easy to keep all year round. As we seem to be becoming less inclined to put on the gardening gloves and get stuck in, patios and terraces were the most popular updated structural elements, with 52% of us choosing to create a paved (or decked) haven.
We love our flowers
Irish homeowners are choosing flowering plants in their garden upgrades, with flowering (70%), low-maintenance (67%) and wildlife-friendly plants (49%) being the top picks when updating greenery. Bushes and shrubs, annuals and perennials (73%, 65% and 62% respectively) are particularly popular in our outdoor projects.
Irish homeowners are choosing flowering plants in their garden upgrades, with flowering (70%), low-maintenance (67%) and wildlife-friendly plants (49%) being the top picks when updating greenery. Bushes and shrubs, annuals and perennials (73%, 65% and 62% respectively) are particularly popular in our outdoor projects.
New homeowners are the keenest
The most popular reason for taking on a garden project? You guessed it – a recent home purchase. It’s one of the biggest prompts for outdoor renovations. 32% of us take the opportunity to make our garden our own once we’ve found our dream home.
Time and money are also large triggers in the upgrade of our outdoor spaces, with 29% finally having the means to embark on their garden project, and 23% finally finding the time.
The most popular reason for taking on a garden project? You guessed it – a recent home purchase. It’s one of the biggest prompts for outdoor renovations. 32% of us take the opportunity to make our garden our own once we’ve found our dream home.
Time and money are also large triggers in the upgrade of our outdoor spaces, with 29% finally having the means to embark on their garden project, and 23% finally finding the time.
We like to throw light on our achievements
With so many of us doing a garden overhaul, we’re choosing to highlight the results with decorative lighting. 70% of Irish Houzzers used lighting in their garden to illuminate features and create ambience.
Many of us chose to elaborate on our outdoor room, with 66% using lighting to create a relaxing and enjoyable garden experience. Safety (preventing trips and falls) and security (deterring crime) were also contributing factors in the use of light in our gardens (37% and 35% respectively).
With so many of us doing a garden overhaul, we’re choosing to highlight the results with decorative lighting. 70% of Irish Houzzers used lighting in their garden to illuminate features and create ambience.
Many of us chose to elaborate on our outdoor room, with 66% using lighting to create a relaxing and enjoyable garden experience. Safety (preventing trips and falls) and security (deterring crime) were also contributing factors in the use of light in our gardens (37% and 35% respectively).
We want our children to enjoy outdoor living
Around four in five of us are making child-related upgrades in the garden. From climbing structures (31%) to treehouses (11%) to the simplicity of space to roam and let their imagination run free (49%), 86% of garden upgraders are keeping the kids in mind with their outdoor project.
Around four in five of us are making child-related upgrades in the garden. From climbing structures (31%) to treehouses (11%) to the simplicity of space to roam and let their imagination run free (49%), 86% of garden upgraders are keeping the kids in mind with their outdoor project.
Budgets vary hugely
50% of us are updating our fences or property borders, 25% of us are sprucing up our shoddy sheds, while some are tackling even larger projects, with 20% installing a water feature/pond, and some even choosing to have a fire feature or living wall (9% and 10% respectively).
And how much are we spending on all this? More than nine in 10 of us (93%) either spent or plan to spend less than €2,500 on minor garden projects. Of those Houzzers going for a complete garden overhaul, 98% plan to spend more than €2,500, with 8% of those willing to splash out €40,000 or more on creating the outside space of their dreams.
Check out these affordable ways to spruce up your outdoor space
50% of us are updating our fences or property borders, 25% of us are sprucing up our shoddy sheds, while some are tackling even larger projects, with 20% installing a water feature/pond, and some even choosing to have a fire feature or living wall (9% and 10% respectively).
And how much are we spending on all this? More than nine in 10 of us (93%) either spent or plan to spend less than €2,500 on minor garden projects. Of those Houzzers going for a complete garden overhaul, 98% plan to spend more than €2,500, with 8% of those willing to splash out €40,000 or more on creating the outside space of their dreams.
Check out these affordable ways to spruce up your outdoor space
Spring inspires us most
Spring seems to be the most popular time to undertake outdoor projects, with over half (55%) of Irish Houzzers choosing to embark on their garden upgrade between March and May. This is not without planning some four or more months ahead of the outdoor renovations (67%).
Have you recently been inspired to embark on an outdoor project? Let us know in the Comments below.
Spring seems to be the most popular time to undertake outdoor projects, with over half (55%) of Irish Houzzers choosing to embark on their garden upgrade between March and May. This is not without planning some four or more months ahead of the outdoor renovations (67%).
Have you recently been inspired to embark on an outdoor project? Let us know in the Comments below.
When it comes to designing our gardens, outdoor living – an outside space for relaxing and entertaining – was a clear top consideration for Houzzers, with over half – 61% – valuing its importance. We also want these outdoor living spaces to show off our style as much as our interiors, with 50% of Irish homeowners favouring garden designs that reflect their homes.
Looking for outdoor room ideas? Discover how to turn your deck or patio into a comfy lounging space