What is the Value of a Garden Designer?

An attractive well-planned garden is a wonderful addition to any home, but it’s often the last thing that home-owners think of renovating, after they've fixed the rest of the house. And that makes perfect sense, especially if your currently messy, awkwardly laid-out garden allows you to do what you want to do in it. However, while the priority will always be that it’s your garden and that you enjoy it, it’s also worth bearing in mind that creating a well-designed outdoor space can have a significant impact on your property's value. Estimates of that impact vary, depending on source, but research puts the value added by gardens at anything from 13%* to 20%**. Whatever the percentage, we can safely say that an attractive garden increases property value by tens of thousands of pounds. So, we turned to West London garden designer Agata Henderson, who has over 10 years’ experience, for tips on creating a garden that increases the value of your home.

The garden is one of your property’s most valuable assets, says Agata. A thoughtfully designed outdoor space gives the impression of a well-maintained home and elevated way of living. It’s usually the first or last thing a potential buyer will see, creating a lasting impression and is hugely important in making a property stand out in what’s currently a highly competitive property market. * Think of your front garden as your property’s handshake – potential buyers form opinions quickly. If you have a front garden, it’s the first thing they see - keep the lawn tidy and manageable, the paths clear and think about planting, to make a good first impression. For example, use evergreen plants such as rosemary for year-round colour, lavender-lined borders or a symmetrical layout around the entrance with trimmed bushes or potted plants. * Connect the house and garden with artful outdoor living – mirroring the interior décor and colours with those in the garden can create a feeling of flow and consistency. French or sliding doors opening onto a similarly designed outside area connects the two. This makes the garden into an extension of the house and makes the property feel more spacious. Ask your designer to specifically think about the area connecting the indoors and outdoors and ensure as smooth a transition as possible between the two spaces. Find more inspiration in our article on designing with indoor/outdoor tiles.

* Be clear and realistic with the budget - hiring a skilled garden designer and being upfront about the budget available ensures a garden is expertly planned and mitigates many risks associated with construction work. When comparing design fees with the estimated final price for the build, on average, garden design fees account for around 10-20% of the total landscaping budget, including labour, materials, plants, and waste removal. * Being decisive can save money - a professional landscaper will typically quote 10-15% higher if a client can’t provide detailed scaled drawings or remains undecided about key materials such as paving stones, cladding or fencing. Even for the trader with many years’ experience, having clear plans and materials agreed from the onset, not only streamlines the process, but also reduces costs and ensures a more efficient project execution. It shows commitment to the project and reduces the risk to the landscaper, allowing them to provide a more reasonable quote. * Match the brief to the right expert – not all projects need a designer. If your goal is more structural such as having the patio and fence replaced, hiring a landscaper will be more cost-effective Spend time understanding what it is you’re looking for and which area of expertise is needed.

Agata Henderson, based in West London-based, specialises in family-friendly urban gardens, enhancing properties and adapting gardens to evolving life stages, and transforming often small, neglected areas into organised, multifunctional retreats with beautiful, easy-to-care-for planting schemes.