The Great British Dream Garden Report

Gardens are more than just a patch of green behind the house. For millions of UK homeowners, they’re where you unwind after work, where the kids play, where you host a summer barbecue or simply sit with a cup of tea and enjoy the quiet. They contribute to lifestyle, wellbeing, and, as property experts confirm, the value of your home.

But how do Brits really feel about their gardens? And if they could start from scratch, what would the dream garden actually look like?

To find out, Dunster House commissioned a survey of 1,000 UK homeowners with gardens. Combined with expert commentary from property and gardening specialists, third-party data from the RHS and the government’s People and Nature Survey, and trending search data from Pinterest, this report paints a data-led picture of the future UK garden that’s grounded in real behaviour rather than design hype.

 

The current state of Britain’s gardens

Most Brits know their garden could be better, but they’re not rushing to tear it all up and start again. According to the survey, 3 in 10 homeowners (30%) say their garden needs improvement, but they’re updating it gradually. A further 15% say their garden works well but could be lower maintenance, and 14% describe it as functional but lacking style or personality.

Only around 1 in 8 homeowners (12%) feel their garden already resembles their dream space. At the other end of the scale, 6% want a complete redesign, and nearly 5% say their garden feels overlooked or lacks privacy.

So, what’s holding people back? Cost is overwhelmingly the biggest barrier, cited by nearly a third of homeowners (32%). For 1 in 10, it’s a lack of time, a figure that rises sharply among millennials (15%) compared with baby boomers (just 4%). Younger homeowners are also more likely to cite a lack of design knowledge (11% of Gen Z versus 7% overall), suggesting there’s an appetite for guidance as much as budget.

 

How homeowners actually use their gardens

When it comes to how people are using their gardens in 2026, for the majority it seems to act as an escape, with 6 in 10 homeowners using their gardens primarily for relaxing and unwinding.

Gardening and growing plants comes second at 40%, followed by family time (24%), time with pets (23%), and growing fruit and vegetables (20%).

Social use is less common than you might expect: only around 1 in 6 (16%) say garden parties or social gatherings are a main use.

How homeowners use their gardens	%
Relaxing or unwinding	60%
Gardening or growing plants	40%
Spending time with children or family	24%
For pets	23%
Growing fruits and vegetables	20%
Garden parties or social gatherings	16%
Storage or practical use	12%
Exercising or fitness	8%

 

These findings sit comfortably alongside wider national data. According to the government’s People and Nature Survey, more than half of Brits (52%) say access to a garden or outdoor space is very important to them, and around 67% visit green and natural spaces at least once a week.

Meanwhile, RHS data shows that 51% of UK adults garden primarily to keep their outdoor space from looking neglected, while 49% do it to create a pleasant environment, reinforcing the idea that gardens are seen as something to maintain and enjoy, not merely decorate.

 

Inside Britain’s Dream Garden

If UK homeowners could build their perfect garden from scratch, what would they include? The results reveal a wishlist that balances beauty with practicality, and values privacy above almost everything else.

Colourful flower beds with seasonal planting top the list (40%), closely followed by outdoor lighting (39%). Total privacy from neighbours, a low-maintenance design, and a patio or outdoor dining area are each wanted by 36% of homeowners. A cluster of practical, everyday features that would make a garden feel both usable and personal.

Further down, the list includes vegetable or raised beds (31%), an outdoor kitchen or BBQ area (29%), water features (29%), and a pergola or covered seating area (26%). A quarter of homeowners put a summer house, bar, or garden room on their dream list, suggesting that dedicated entertaining or retreat spaces are firmly on the radar, even if they’re not the first thing people reach for.

 

Dream garden feature	% Who want it
Colourful flower beds with seasonal planting	40%
Outdoor lighting	39%
Total privacy from neighbours	36%
Low-maintenance design	36%
Patio or dedicated outdoor dining area	36%
Shed or practical storage	33%
Vegetable, raised beds or edible garden	31%
Outdoor kitchen or BBQ area	29%
Water feature (pond or fountain)	29%
Pergola or covered seating area	26%
Wildlife habitate/pollinator-friendly planting	26%
Mature trees for shade and privacy	25%
Summerhouse, bar or garden room	25%
A large lawn	24%
Fire pit/log burner	21%

 

Generational differences add a telling layer. Boomers are significantly more likely to prioritise low-maintenance design (45% vs 18% of Gen Z) and wildlife-friendly planting (31% vs 12%). Millennials, meanwhile, are the generation most drawn to outdoor kitchens and BBQ areas (38%) and fire pits (26%). Features that point to a garden built for socialising. Across all ages, vegetable growing holds steady at around 31%, one of the few features with no generational gap at all.

 

What matters most: privacy leads the way

Privacy is the single most important attribute UK homeowners want from their garden. More than half (54%) rate it as very important, 11 percentage points clear of the next attribute, low maintenance (43%). Wildlife friendliness ranks third (38%), followed by pet friendliness (36%), visual design (34%), and year-round usability (33%).

Space for entertainment is considered very important by 30%, the same proportion as child friendliness, while space to grow your own food comes in at 23%. These findings suggest that for most homeowners, a garden needs to feel private, manageable, and in tune with nature before it needs to look impressive or host a party.

Adding a summer house or pergola is one of the simplest ways to increase privacy in a garden, creating a screened, sheltered space that feels like a room of its own without the cost of a full extension.

With 38% of homeowners rating wildlife friendliness as very important, Buckland suggests some easy wins: “Leave an area of your lawn uncut so that the bee-friendly dandelions can do their thing. Add a bird bath or, even better, a mini pond”. Water is a magnet to wildlife. And if borders are bare, sow an annual meadow. “You’ll get a succession of flowers from late spring into winter that will buzz with pollinators and life.”

 

The design styles shaping the future of UK gardens

 

When asked which garden style they’d most like their outdoor space to reflect over the next two to three years, the English country garden came out on top (18%), followed by a modern garden with clean lines and natural materials (14%) and a cottage garden (13%). Wildlife-friendly and naturalistic gardens were chosen by 12%, while Mediterranean-inspired designs appealed to 7%.

The English country garden’s dominance holds across most regions, it’s the top choice in eight out of twelve UK regions, from the South West to Greater London to Yorkshire. The exceptions are notable: the North East favours Mediterranean-inspired gardens, the North West and Northern Ireland lean towards a modern aesthetic, and Scotland prefers the cottage garden style.

Region	Preferred garden style
East Midlands	English Country Garden
East of England	English Country Garden
Greater London	English Country Garden
North East	Mediterranean-Inspired Garden
North West	Modern Garden
Northern Ireland	Modern Garden
Scotland	Cottage Garden
South East	English Country Garden
South West	English Country Garden
Wales	English Country Garden
West Midlands	English Country Garden
Yorkshire and the Humber	English Country Garden

 

Toby Buckland, gardener and presenter, explains the enduring appeal of the English country garden: “Think weathered natural materials like stone paths, rustic timber, wooden furniture and terracotta pots. The planting is ‘managed chaos’ with roses and deeply overflowing borders, creating a romantic, timeless and vibrant vibe.”

For homeowners looking to recreate the look, Buckland suggests a practical starting point: “Adding symmetry at border ends and either side of paths with topiary balls or attractive pots contrasts with the ‘managed chaos’ of the planting, and like a frame around a painting, makes the plants in the borders appear more colourful and natural.”

Ones to watch: The rising garden trends on Pinterest

Pinterest search data offers a real-time window into what homeowners are actively planning. Among the fastest-growing gardening search terms in the UK, “backyard oasis” has surged 2,500% year-on-year, while “garden inspiration ideas” is up 900% and “backyard layout” has grown 700%. These aren’t just idle browsing, they suggest homeowners who are actively sketching, planning, and reimagining what they can do with the space they’ve got.

Month-on-month, the fastest-growing terms point to a desire for privacy and retreat. Searches for “sensory garden ideas” doubled in a single month, while “low-maintenance garden”, “cottage garden ideas”, and “backyard oasis” all rose by 60–70%. The trend data reinforces the survey’s core finding: Brits want gardens that feel like a sanctuary, not a showpiece.

 

Garden investments: The garden dos

 

On average, UK homeowners are willing to spend just over £5,000 to achieve their dream garden. But this figure masks significant variation. Millennials are the most ambitious spenders, with an average budget of £8,640, nearly three times the baby boomer average of £3,112. Gen Z homeowners sit at £6,626, suggesting that younger generations see their garden as a genuine investment rather than an afterthought.

Regionally, the picture varies considerably. Homeowners in the North West are willing to spend the most (£9,105 on average), followed by Greater London (£6,798) and the South East (£4,970). At the other end, the North East has the lowest average budget at £3,348.

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Region	Average Budget
North West	£9,105
Greater London	£6,798
South East	£4,970
Scotland	£4,753
Wales	£4,448
West Midlands	£4,261
South West	£4,200
East Midlands	£4,165
Northern Ireland	£4,154
Yorkshire and the Humber	£3,590
East of England	£3,551
North East	£3,348

 

What homeowners believe adds value

When asked which garden features they believe would most increase the value of their home, homeowners put a patio or outdoor entertaining area at the top (21%), followed by a private, not-overlooked garden (20%) and a summer house (19%). Low-maintenance design (18%) and a well-maintained lawn (17%) round out the top five.

It’s notable that the features homeowners associate with value closely mirror the features they actually want, which is privacy, usability and low maintenance, appear high on both lists. A garden office is cited by 12%, reflecting the ongoing shift towards remote and hybrid working.

Feature believed to add value	%
Patio or outdoor entertaining area	21%
A private/not overlooked garden	20%
Summer house	19%
Low-maintenance design	18%
A well-maintained lawn or planting	17%
Space for extension potential	14%
Garden Office	12%
A south or west-facing garden	12%
Storage space (shed/practical area)	11%
Pergola or covered seating area	10%

 

What the experts say

Marta Pawlik, co-founder of luxury holiday let company Laik.co.uk, sees these patterns play out directly in property valuations. Based on her experience managing over 50 properties across the Lake District, she puts the potential value uplift from a well-designed garden at between 5% and 20% of a property’s value – equivalent to up to £60,000 on a £300,000 home.

Pawlik’s top five additions that deliver real value are:

1. A designated outdoor entertaining area. “A well-laid patio with good furniture and some festoon lighting adds 5–10% to the asking price,” she says. “I’ve seen this across at least 15 of our properties.”
2. Screening and privacy planting. “Mature hedging makes an overlooked garden into a usable one, for a cost of between £500 and £2,000.”
3. Low-maintenance hard landscaping. “Gravel paths and raised beds look great in photos and last year-round without anyone touching them every day.”
4. Good external lighting. “Under £300 for warm-toned LEDs and path lighting. The impact on guest satisfaction is immediate.”
5. A functional garden structure. “Estate agent data suggests that a garden room adds 5–15% to market price. At the holiday-let level, the return period is typically less than 18 months.”

Janet Francis, Property expert from The Home Movement, gave he

r six garden essentials that boost the value of a property, with many echoing the same as Marta’s list:

1. Privacy
2. South- or west-facing gardens (for better sunlight)
3. Secure, enclosed spaces (suitable for children and pets)
4. Flat, usable garden space
5. Well-maintained, manageable trees and hedges
6. Outdoor entertaining areas (e.g. patio and lighting)

 

The Garden Blacklist: The garden don’ts

Plastic plants are considered the tackiest garden addition in Britain, according to nearly half of homeowners (49%). Neon signs (41%), artificial grass (39%), inflatable hot tubs (38%), and garden gnomes (37%) complete the top five. Giant trampolines (35%), themed décor (31%), and fake living walls (31%) also make the list of features homeowners would rather do without.

Tackiest garden feature	% who think it’s tacky
Plastic plants	49%
Neon signs	41%
Artificial grass	39%
Inflatable hot tubs	38%
Garden gnomes	37%
Giant trampolines	35%
Themed décor (e.g. tropical, novelty items)	31%
Fake living walls	31%
Brightly coloured decking or fencing	25%
Children’s plastic play equipment	21%

Plastic plants hold the top spot across almost all generations, but there’s a striking age divide in how strongly people feel.

Boomers are far more bothered than younger homeowners: 64% of boomers consider plastic plants tacky, compared with just 29% of Gen Z. The same pattern holds for inflatable hot tubs (52% of boomers vs 15% of Gen Z) and garden gnomes (46% vs 19%). Gen Z, incidentally, think neon signs are tackier than plastic plants, the only generation where that’s the case.

Pawlik offers a simple principle for avoiding garden features that hurt value: “Anything that forces the next owner to reverse your decisions before they can use the space will decrease what the property is worth.” She’s particularly wary of artificial grass: “We took over a Lake District property in 2024 which had fake turf. Guests mentioned it negatively in three separate reviews within two months. We replaced it with a wildflower lawn and review scores went up.”

She also adds, “An unloved garden pulls between 8% and 20% off a property’s worth. Neglect isn’t neutral; it actively costs money.” She points to overgrown planting as the number one turn-off, followed by poor drainage and broken fences, all of which signal to buyers that the rest of the property may have been similarly neglected.

Janet Francis also weighed in to give her top 11 features that detract value from a property:

1. Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) limiting maintenance or removal of trees
2. A garden that is too small or out of proportion with the property
3. Lack of natural light (e.g. north-facing gardens)
4. Garden ponds (due to maintenance and child safety concerns)
5. Being overlooked by neighbouring properties
6. Rights of way across the garden
7. Poorly maintained boundaries or neighbouring gardens
8. Problematic plants (e.g. bamboo or Japanese knotweed affecting lenders)
9. Waterlogged or boggy ground
10. Large or fast-growing hedges (e.g. Leylandii)
11. Neighbour-related issues (e.g. parked cars or rubbish in front gardens)

Garden regrets

The good news is that most Brits (54%) don’t regret any garden decisions they’ve made. But among those who do, the top regret is choosing high-maintenance plants (14%), followed by adding decking that hasn’t aged well (10%) and removing trees or mature plants (9%).

Generational differences here are revealing. Only 19% of Gen Z have no garden regrets, compared with 71% of boomers, suggesting younger homeowners are more willing to experiment (and occasionally get it wrong). Gen Z are significantly more likely to regret laying paving over grass (22% vs 4% of boomers), spending too much on decorative features (24% vs 3%), and following a short-lived trend (12% vs 1%).

The theme linking these regrets is clear: homeowners wish they’d prioritised longevity and low maintenance over quick-fix aesthetics.

Low-maintenance plants for your garden

With the biggest regret being choosing high maintenance plants, Toby Buckland shares 10 plants that both work well in UK gardens but require minimal upkeep:

1. Pittosporum — evergreen, good as shrubs or topiary shapes.
2. Alchemilla mollis (Lady’s Mantle) — softens border edges and self-sows for a natural look.
3. Lavender — loves poor soil, full sun, and bees love it.
4. Hardy geraniums (Crane’s Bill) — fantastic weed-suppressing ground cover.
5. Astrantia — romantic star-shaped flowers that thrive in sun or shade.
6. Viburnum farreri — fabulous, sweetly scented winter flowers.
7. Verbena bonariensis — adds height and charm without becoming a nuisance.
8. Rose ‘Roseraie de l’Hay’ — bullet-proof in sun, blooms all summer.
9. Foxgloves — perfect for height and self-seeding. Whites and pinks are prettier than hedgerow purple.
10. Ornamental grasses (e.g. Miscanthus ‘Silver Feather’) — movement and architecture with little maintenance.

For keeping your garden low-maintenance year-round, Buckland has some easy practical tips: “Mulch, mulch, mulch.” Applying a thick layer of compost or bark chips in spring retains moisture, feeds the soil, and smothers weeds before they start.

“Plant densely, leaving no space for weeds to grow. And invest in a good, sharp hoe to catch weeds early before they flower and spread their seeds.”

Looking ahead

The picture that emerges from this research is of a nation that genuinely values its gardens but approaches them practically rather than with grand ambitions. Most homeowners are improving gradually, not redesigning from scratch. They want privacy, low maintenance and a space that feels like a retreat, not a project.

The features that top the dream garden wishlist, seasonal planting, good lighting and a private outlook, are achievable for most budgets. And with the average homeowner willing to invest around £5,000, there’s a real appetite to make meaningful changes, particularly among younger homeowners who are prepared to spend more.

For those weighing up where to put their money, the data is clear: the features that homeowners believe add value are also the features they want most. Invest in privacy, create a functional outdoor entertaining area, and keep things low-maintenance. Avoid anything that the next owner would need to undo. And if you’re thinking about a garden structure, the evidence suggests it’s one of the smartest upgrades you can make for both everyday enjoyment and long-term value.

Meet the experts

Toby Buckland, gardener, broadcaster and author, is best known for presenting BBC’s Gardeners’ World. With decades of horticultural experience, he specialises in practical garden design, planting and seasonal gardening advice to help homeowners create beautiful, functional outdoor spaces.

Chrissie Handley, lawn care specialist and gardening expert at Online Turf, works with a leading turf, soil and compost supplier with over 20 years of experience. She specialises in lawn maintenance, low-maintenance gardening and practical outdoor upkeep, offering advice on everything from mowing and edging to keeping lawns healthy year-round.

Marta Pawlik, Co-Founder and Director of Laik, is a property and interiors expert specialising in high-end holiday lets and guest experience.
With a background in interior design and property management, she provides expert insight into how outdoor spaces and thoughtful design can enhance property value, guest appeal and occupancy rates.

Janet Francis, property expert at The Home Movement, has over 20 years of experience in the UK property market.
Janet specialises in buying, selling and marketing residential property, with a strong focus on delivering tailored, client-led service. She provides expert insight into buyer behaviour, property value and the features that can enhance a home’s appeal, including the growing importance of well-designed indoor and outdoor spaces.

Methodology

The survey was conducted by Censuswide on behalf of Dunster House between 3 and 6 March 2026. A total of 1,000 UK homeowners with gardens were surveyed. The sample was nationally representative by age, gender, and region. https://www.rhs.org.uk/about-us/pdfs/about-the-rhs/mission-and-strategy/rhs-state-of-gardening-report.pdf

Additional data was sourced from the RHS State of Gardening Report, the government’s People and Nature Survey (April–June 2025) and Pinterest Trends (UK and Ireland, 90 days to 27 February 2026).