Whether you own a private or communal, small estate or balcony-style outside space, one thing is for certain and that is that gardens have never been so important to homeowners and tenants in search of an escape from their increasingly busy lifestyles.
Despite decades of property developers squeezing more and more units within small areas of land, the message that Brits treasure their outside spaces is finally being acknowledged. This concept is often referred to as ‘placemaking,’ and it embodies street layout, tree planting and public places. In fact, it is a notion which Environ Communities have treated with utmost importance at its Freshford Mill development of two to five-bedroom homes in Somerset near Bath. Though the original mill buildings have been converted, there are also new-builds located on the grounds which feature a communal island, nature reserve and wildlife lake.
Environ Landscape Designer Julie Johnson explains, “We’ve noticed over the past few years that homebuyers have altered their criteria and the outside environment has become an important factor in their house-buying decision. Buyers are aware that a beautifully landscaped environment is beneficial to their enjoyment of their home and also feel that a well-designed, visually appealing neighbourhood with plenty of green space will provide a higher quality of life and keep property values up too.”
If you’ve been inspired to give your garden a new lease of life by creating an attractive area to work, rest and play, incorporating a high-quality shading solution is an excellent starting point. By providing shelter from the sun as well as protection from our changeable weather conditions, a patio awning, for example, is an invaluable addition to terrace areas that are awash with sunlight. Plus, given that awnings are by nature fairly formal in their appearance, they automatically bring a dash of sophistication to the most ordinary of outside spaces.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for a space that can be used to its full potential throughout all four seasons, regardless of the weather, we would recommend our award-winning Outdoor Living Pod. Featuring an impressively sleek louvered roof which opens and closes at the touch of the button alongside state-of-the-art LED lighting and infra-red heating, our contemporary Pod is the ultimate outdoor solution. By delivering a fully-flexible, all-weather living space, our Pod is sure to be the envy of all your family and friends whilst adding plenty of kerb appeal to your property.
