As Spring starts to bloom, attention turns to spending time outdoors, among nature and nurturing our gardens. So what garden trends are on the rise this year? And how can housebuilders elevate their offering? Claire Hibbert, founder and director of independent garden design specialists, Garden Sense, offers her insight…

“In the last five years, gardens and outdoor living areas have become one of the most cherished spaces. They’re an extension of the home and a reflection of the homeowner’s personality. They provide room for entertainment, relaxation, hobbies, exercise and wellbeing, and for many they offer a sense of sanctuary, somewhere restorative and peaceful.

But how do all these different uses combine harmoniously?

A popular approach is to create different ‘zones’. So, there might be a children’s play area with a rope swing, wooden playhouse, even a submerged trampoline! Alongside this there could be a kitchen garden or mini greenhouse to allow opportunities to grow produce. In fact, demand for sheds of all varieties, from potting to storage, is on the rise so we’ll incorporate these as design features. Having somewhere to grow your own fruit and vegetables, or a neat store for tools and garden equipment, has become a ‘must-have’.

More recently, however, we’re being asked for designs that promote wellness. So this could include an outdoor gym; a log cabin for practicing yoga, pilates or other forms of mindfulness; a hot tub or sauna; or simply a meandering pathway surrounded by wisteria, olive trees, roses, and lavender that provide amazing scents and year-round comfort.

Of course, the aim is to create a cohesive design, not a series of individual spaces, and this can be achieved with thoughtful layouts and maintaining the same family of materials. For example, on a recent show garden we designed at The Lodge @ Sketchley Park for Charles Church, the brief was to appeal to children, couples and families alike, with spaces for cooking, dining, entertaining and playing. We used our signature porcelain paving and cladding alongside graphite decking, rumbled concrete edging and wooden decorative posts to interconnect the different zones, which not only enabled best use of space but also provided some uniformity and brought the design to life.

Another consideration when planning layouts is to create natural routes through the space. There can be a temptation to use temporary screening to establish ‘zones’ but this can result in unnecessary barriers. Instead, consider sunken seating to make an elegant space for adults to chat and relax, or for outdoor dining, a pergola creates an instant statement but also allows for a blend of sunlight and shade and can be naturally integrated into a garden by allowing climbers to grow over the structure.

My final layout recommendation is not to neglect lighting! So often this is an afterthought but well-planned lighting can completely transform a garden, enhancing textures, creating atmosphere, and making the space as inviting at night as it is during the day. Uplighters, feature spotlights, lanterns, and smart lighting can be seamlessly and subtly integrated and we expect these to be in high demand this year.

In terms of products to watch, I expect garden furniture to remain popular, so dining sets, bistro seating, sunken seating, and sunbeds. For larger gardens, premium products like outdoor kitchens, fire pits, garden rooms and hot tubs are increasingly in demand, and make a great focal point too” adds Claire.

For housebuilders looking to elevate their offering, an upgraded garden design, incorporating these trends, adds an alternative sales tool. Garden Sense’s director, James Hibbert concludes: “Following the success of The Lodge show garden, we have partnered with Charles Church on a series of pre-designed packages. All purchasers are given the option to upgrade to our Silver, Gold or Platinum design. Each has a distinct layout and can be entirely customised with materials, products and lighting to allow purchasers to create their dream garden. With house hunters having the option to significantly upgrade their interior finishes, offering the same choice for the external space is logical, and could be the key differential when it comes to decision-making. Moving in with a fully landscaped garden to enjoy is a huge benefit.”

Garden Sense is a family run business specialising in bespoke garden design and landscape material supply. Established in Leicestershire in 2018, Garden Sense works with private clients nationwide as well as for some of the UK’s best-known housebuilders such as Charles Church and Davidsons Homes. Claire, James and the team have a strong reputation for producing beautiful gardens of exceptional quality, including sourcing products and materials from prestigious UK and international manufacturers.

More information on Garden Sense

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AG, a leading paving and building products manufacturer, has been honoured for its strides in sustainability at a prestigious awards ceremony in Belfast.

The third-generation, family-owned business, established over 60 years ago, was crowned Sustainable Manufacturing Business of the Year at the 2024 Business Eye Sustainability Awards.

The accolade acknowledges manufacturers who prioritise sustainability across their operations and AG’s win further highlights the success of the company’s comprehensive Corporate Social Responsibility (CRS) strategy.

With manufacturing sites in Fivemiletown, Toome, and Carryduff, AG, as part of its Climate Action Pledge has committed to reducing its absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by at least 30%, as well as lowering its Scope 3 emissions by 2030, regardless of business growth.

Having surpassed its science-based targets to date, AG has consistently invested in sustainable technologies, processes and materials to minimise its environmental impact, from utilising aggregates sourced from its Fivemiletown quarry to manufacturing with 100% renewable energy.

Furthermore, AG’s dedication to sustainability earned it Platinum Status in the 2023 Northern Ireland Environmental Benchmarking Survey and recently led to its shortlisting for Outstanding Commitment to ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) at the Business Telegraph Awards.

In recognition of its sustainability efforts, the specialist building products business is among the first to achieve recertification to the latest version of the BES 6001 Standard at its Toome location for its flag products.

AG already has one of the lowest carbon footprints in the industry and these accomplishments showcase its commitment to reducing the environmental impact of its operations to an absolute minimum.

Mark McCardle, COO, expressed gratitude for the esteemed award, attributing the achievement to the collective efforts of AG’s workforce. “We are honoured to be crowned Sustainable Manufacturing Business of the Year. This recognition is a testament to our team’s relentless efforts to integrate sustainability into every aspect of our operations. At AG, we believe that sustainability is not just a choice but a responsibility, and we remain committed to minimising our environmental footprint while delivering high-quality products to our customers.”

For more information about AG and its CSR strategy, please visit ag.uk.com.

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