The garden is most popular renovation space for South West homeowners

Following a survey indicating that an increased number of people chose to carry out renovations in their homes in 2022, with outdoor areas being the most popular for spend in the South West, RGB Building Supplies is giving advice on budget-friendly improvements people can make in their gardens this spring.

The research, carried out by consumer spending experts at money.co.uk for its annual Renovation Nation Report1, found that from the 2,000 people surveyed, just over 88% indicated they had spent money on home renovations within the previous 12 months. This is an increase of 14% on those surveyed in 2021.

Paul West, branch manager at RGB Exeter, commented:

“Perhaps due to the amount of time we all spent in our homes over the past three years, the garden came high on the list of areas where most people had spent money, and was the top priority for South West homeowners in the 2021 and 2022 reports.

“To make the most of an outside space, it should be ready to be enjoyed as soon as the weather turns. Therefore, completing work sooner rather than later is the best way to ensure this happens, even if the current climate doesn’t give much inspiration. A garden doesn’t always need to have the perfect lawn as there are many different landscaping options available, and we hope our advice helps people make the right choice for their garden.”

Tackle the fencing

One of the easiest ways to instantly transform a garden is by showing some love to already installed fencing. Whether that’s repairing and replacing damaged panels or giving it a new coat of treatment of fence paint. As exterior paint is now available in all colours of the rainbow, it’s also an easy way to add colour to a garden.

Make a quick change with aggregates

For a quick and simple fix, decorative aggregates are extremely easy to lay. They can be used on flower beds, pathways and seating areas. Aggregates come in a vast array of different colours, materials and shapes so can give a striking look to a small garden or courtyard.

Build raised garden beds

Raised garden beds are ideal for all sizes of outdoor areas. For fully paved courtyard gardens, they create a space to grow plants, vegetables, herbs and flowers, and for larger areas, they can be used to define spaces. Raised beds can easily be created using timber sleepers or decking boards.

Work on the lawn

A lawn is a favourite garden feature and by using grass seed, it can be relatively inexpensive to create – although patience is needed as it can take a few months to grow. Using turf rolls is quicker but can be more expensive. Alternatively, the quality of artificial grass has improved since it first started to be used for domestic properties, and it can now be difficult to tell it apart from the real thing. As it is easy to lay and doesn’t need watering or regularly mowing, an artificial lawn has become the choice for those with small outdoor areas or rooftop gardens.

Upgrade decking

A decked area continues to be a popular choice for gardens, and whilst it may not be the cheapest option, replacing wooden decking with composite boards is cost-effective. Unlike traditional wood, most composite boards have a structural layer of protection meaning they are extremely durable and never need sanding, staining or sealing. Composite decking can last anywhere between 10 and 30 years.

Paul West added:

“Our branch team is highly knowledgeable and happy to give advice to people about what options would work in their gardens. Additionally, as there are some great landscaping offers around at the moment – and we have promotions launching in the next couple of weeks – getting to work now can really help those who are on a budget.”

1 https://www.money.co.uk/mortgages/remortgages/renovation-nation-report