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It’s time to take the party outside, according to the Houzz UK 2018 Landscaping Survey,* which found that three in five of homeowners spend more time entertaining outside after completing landscaping projects (61%). One in seven homeowners also report that their usable outdoor area is significantly larger than that of their home (14%). So transforming the garden into added living space creates an entertaining haven for the next garden party or family barbecue.
The study found that homeowners on Houzz invest in a variety of elements during landscaping projects that make their outdoor areas more livable, including dining furniture (43%), grills (38%), benches (34%), and lounge furniture (30%). The addition of string lights (34%), fire pits (25%) and patio heaters (14%), suggest a focus on exterior ambience that allows people to entertain outdoors into the evening.
Technology also plays a role in making the garden entertainment-ready. Of the one in ten homeowners who added or upgraded entertainment systems during their landscaping projects (10%), over four out of five added speakers (85%), with half of homeowners choosing solar or wireless speakers (50%) and more than a third opting for wired speakers (35%). One in 10 homeowners also added projectors (18%), wired and solar charging stations (16% each, respectively) and TVs (15%).
Kerb Appeal Part of the Plan
While the majority of outdoor projects take place in the back garden (86%), nearly a quarter of landscaping homeowners update their front garden (22%) and more than one in ten work on side returns (14%). Homeowners adding or updating elements in the front of their home report that the most important features contributing to kerb appeal are beds and borders (39%), shrubs (24%) and perennials (18%). Considering these priorities, it’s no surprise that they are also the most popular features installed in front of homes (42%, 41% and 35%, respectively).
The leading reason for homeowners to begin a landscaping project is to improve elements of the outdoor space that have deteriorated or broken down (30%). Costs for landscaping projects vary widely, with a fifth of homeowners who completed their outdoor renovation spending more than £10,000 (20%) and nearly two thirds of homeowners spending less than £5,000 (64%).
Regardless of motivations or budget, the majority of homeowners who completed a landscaping project report that they spend more time outside (81%). Some of the other ways that homeowners enjoy their newly upgraded outdoor space include relaxing (74%) and eating (63%).
You can browse a collection of outdoor essentials from the Houzz Shop here.
*Houzz survey of 2000 UK homeowners using Houzz who are in the midst of, are planning or recently completed a landscaping project, was fielded between April and May 2018.
About Houzz
Houzz is the leading platform for home renovation and design, providing people with everything they need to improve their homes from start to finish – online or from a mobile device. From decorating a small room to building a custom home and everything in between, Houzz connects millions of homeowners, home design enthusiasts and home improvement professionals across the country and around the world. With the largest residential design database in the world and a vibrant community empowered by technology, Houzz is the easiest way for people to find inspiration, get advice, buy products and hire the professionals they need to help turn their ideas into reality. Headquartered in Palo Alto, Calif., Houzz also has international offices in London, Berlin, Sydney, Moscow, Tel Aviv and Tokyo. Houzz is a registered trademark of Houzz Inc. worldwide.
For more information, visit houzz.co.uk.