Your garden is a huge asset to your property when selling. In this climate people are looking for more outside space so make sure yours is up to scratch when viewings are on. Plus, if you get it sorted while you still live there, you can enjoy the upgrades too!
We have put together our Top Ten Tips for making your garden the best it can be – without spending a fortune. As Spring approaches, now is the time to get outside and get your hands dirty. By putting in a bit of time now, you will be basking in a glorious garden come summer, you’ll feel like you’re on holiday.
It can be easy to neglect your garden over winter, we’re all guilty of that, but by giving your outside space a bit of TLC now, you’ll be reaping the benefits for the rest of the year. Plus if you are planning to sell then these tips will help your garden stand out above the rest when it comes time to sell your house.
When you’re hosting viewings try setting the scene to give prospective buyers an idea of what it will be like to live there. This is useful across the property as well. Try lightning candles and making sure the pillows are plumped and set nicely.
1. Declutter
Just like your home, your garden can accumulate unnecessary debris that makes it look messy. If you have a small space, try using one of these small shelves to collect the little bits and bobs that are hanging around.
2. Zone it out
If you have the space, think about ‘zones’ – even in a small outside space, making a clear distinction between the eating area and the growing area makes a huge difference to how big it looks. We love the way this garden has distinct spaces that separate the different areas.
And always make sure the lawn is in good condition!
3. Lay flooring
Creating a patio or decking can really lift a garden and provides a great place for eating and entertaining. Decking is cheaper and looks neat but keep it in good condition! If you’re planning to sell we advise giving it a new lick of paint before viewings
4. Add mirrors
Just like indoors, mirrors make your garden look bigger and give more light and can reflect the sun into otherwise shady areas. We love these huge iron mirrors on Pinterest
5. Perennial Shrubs
Look, we all have busy lives and probably not the greenest fingers so we recommend that you fill your garden with hardy shrubs that look good all year round. That way, whenever you have viewings, your garden will always look on point.
6. Seasonal flowers or vases
Sometimes you won’t have time to plant lovely colourful flowers but the sure-fire way to make sure you have beautiful flowers in your garden is to add a vase of seasonal flowers like these.
7. Focus on the photo
It’s a dog-eat-dog world on the portal sites these days so focusing on how your garden is presented in the photos ensures that potential buyers see it at it’s best. We recommend taking some photos of your garden from different angles and finding out how it looks best and working on really sprucing it up from there.
8. Think: Shed
It’s official, cottagecore has infiltrated all our lives now thanks to TikTok and TV Shows like Shed of the Year so sheds are back. Even in small gardens having a compact space to store garden utensils and some of your hardier homewares means that you’re ‘in fashion’ but you’re also adding storage to your home. If you have the space then a summer house which can double as a home office is a great post-pandemic addition!
9. Privacy review
If you live in a terraced house or your garden is overlooked by other houses, then think about strategically placed tall plants or trellises to give extra privacy. We like to think of the garden as another room of the home so, where possible, it should feel as private as the kitchen.
1o. Respect Boundaries
This final point is the most important. If you are selling your home you must make sure that there are no discrepancies about boundaries with your neighbours. This can be a major deal breaker if you are in a dispute with someone about whose land is what. If this is sorted then make sure all your fences are fixed and in the right place.
Good luck! We’d love to see how you get on with your garden renovation! Tag @mypropertyadvice.com on your instagram or facebook and we’ll share our favourites.