Reno Insights: Are You One of the Crowd Reworking Their Garden?
The backyard is one of the most popular areas to upgrade, according to our annual Houzz and Home survey – let's dive in
According to the 2021 Houzz and Home survey, nearly three out of five renovating projects in Australia in 2020 were focused on outdoor areas – perhaps not a huge surprise, given our enviable climate and love of indoor-outdoor living. While interior room renovations are still the most common projects (72 percent), outdoor areas are addressed by nearly three in five homeowners (59 percent). So are you one of the many renovators who has recently spruced up – or has plans to – their backyard? Read on to find out the main improvements homeowners have been looking to make.
“Nearly every second job we design involves an outdoor entertaining area,” says Jason Elboz, landscape designer and director at Space Landscape Designs. “As the backyard is often such a big proportion of a property, it’s an area homeowners want to use year-round.”
Image by Jason Busch
A poor layout
Other challenges addressed by homeowners, according to the survey, include outdoor spaces that were poorly laid out or difficult to work, play or entertain in (18 and 16 percent, respectively).
“Older homes, especially, have awkward and dysfunctional layouts that do not lend themselves to modern indoor-outdoor living,” says Davies. “We look at ways to redesign these areas and bring the garden in with sliding doors, as well as new decks to create outdoor rooms.
Layouts often needs to be updated as the homeowners’ needs changes, she says. “When the children are small, they need safe playing areas. As they grow, the playing area may make way for a pool or a veggie patch.”
A poor layout
Other challenges addressed by homeowners, according to the survey, include outdoor spaces that were poorly laid out or difficult to work, play or entertain in (18 and 16 percent, respectively).
“Older homes, especially, have awkward and dysfunctional layouts that do not lend themselves to modern indoor-outdoor living,” says Davies. “We look at ways to redesign these areas and bring the garden in with sliding doors, as well as new decks to create outdoor rooms.
Layouts often needs to be updated as the homeowners’ needs changes, she says. “When the children are small, they need safe playing areas. As they grow, the playing area may make way for a pool or a veggie patch.”
Image by Jason Busch
Having no connection to the indoor areas or deck, nowhere for the kids to play, and distance from the kitchen are some of the key issues renovators have with their outdoor areas, says Matt Leacy, artistic director and co-founder of Landart Landscapes. But these problems can rarely be solved in isolation, he says; “It rarely makes sense to fix one without the other. We spend as much time discussing the indoors as we do the external spaces because the two must relate and connect.”
Having no connection to the indoor areas or deck, nowhere for the kids to play, and distance from the kitchen are some of the key issues renovators have with their outdoor areas, says Matt Leacy, artistic director and co-founder of Landart Landscapes. But these problems can rarely be solved in isolation, he says; “It rarely makes sense to fix one without the other. We spend as much time discussing the indoors as we do the external spaces because the two must relate and connect.”
The desire for outdoor entertaining areas
The survey reveals that exterior upgrades such as patios or terraces and decks also increased in popularity in 2020 (12 and 20 percent respectively).
Creating a space where you can entertain outdoors, often complete with sofas, a dining table, a barbecue or outdoor kitchen, is a request Leacy receives regularly. “It is one of the main reasons clients come to us – to create a space that is beautiful, but also functional in terms of adding to their living space. Also, if their house is small, this is a great way to make it feel more expansive with the outdoor area becoming an extension or a whole new room off the house.”
The survey reveals that exterior upgrades such as patios or terraces and decks also increased in popularity in 2020 (12 and 20 percent respectively).
Creating a space where you can entertain outdoors, often complete with sofas, a dining table, a barbecue or outdoor kitchen, is a request Leacy receives regularly. “It is one of the main reasons clients come to us – to create a space that is beautiful, but also functional in terms of adding to their living space. Also, if their house is small, this is a great way to make it feel more expansive with the outdoor area becoming an extension or a whole new room off the house.”
“Outdoor kitchens are usually top of the wish list,” says Leacy. “They have evolved to include much more than just a barbecue and dining space. They now often include ovens, pizza ovens, Argentinean grills, coal barbecues, smokers, fridges, sinks, dishwashers, Zip Water taps and even beer taps.
Pools are another hugely popular request, no matter the size of the yard, he says; “In small spaces we’re looking at more and more plunge-size spa pools.”
Pools are another hugely popular request, no matter the size of the yard, he says; “In small spaces we’re looking at more and more plunge-size spa pools.”
New fencing
Splashing out on a new garden fence was an upgrade that 20 percent of renovators made in 2020, the survey reveals.
Hardscaping elements such as fencing and decking can be crucial components of a functional outdoor design, says Davies. “Fencing is especially important if there are children or pets living in the home, while adding decking can help extend your living space to creates a functional indoor-outdoor zone. The area can then be softened or modernised with decorative planters and beautiful foliage plants,” she says.
Splashing out on a new garden fence was an upgrade that 20 percent of renovators made in 2020, the survey reveals.
Hardscaping elements such as fencing and decking can be crucial components of a functional outdoor design, says Davies. “Fencing is especially important if there are children or pets living in the home, while adding decking can help extend your living space to creates a functional indoor-outdoor zone. The area can then be softened or modernised with decorative planters and beautiful foliage plants,” she says.
Image by Jason Busch
Planting upgrades
Improvements to garden beds and borders saw a significant seven percentage point increase
among renovating homeowners in 2020 (34 percent versus 27 percent in 2019), according to the survey.
“New borders and garden beds can have a huge impact on the look of a garden,” says Leacy. “We’re seeing a move toward natural materials such as timber and stone, offset by soft white renders, and large sweeping curves around pools and garden beds. This is a very different look to the grey monochromatic colours and straight lines that have dominated for the past 10 years – and still has its place in some designs.
“But when you’re changing styles dramatically from rigid hard lines to more organic curves – or vice versa – it does impact the look and feel of a space quite significantly.”
Planting upgrades
Improvements to garden beds and borders saw a significant seven percentage point increase
among renovating homeowners in 2020 (34 percent versus 27 percent in 2019), according to the survey.
“New borders and garden beds can have a huge impact on the look of a garden,” says Leacy. “We’re seeing a move toward natural materials such as timber and stone, offset by soft white renders, and large sweeping curves around pools and garden beds. This is a very different look to the grey monochromatic colours and straight lines that have dominated for the past 10 years – and still has its place in some designs.
“But when you’re changing styles dramatically from rigid hard lines to more organic curves – or vice versa – it does impact the look and feel of a space quite significantly.”
“Upgrading elements such as garden beds can give colour to the backyard and create areas of interest with the chosen plant selection,” says Elboz. “Plus, having surrounding planting can be your best form or privacy.”
Shed makeover
That eyesore of a shed at the back of the garden is another feature renovators have had their sights set on – one in 10 upgraded their outdoor shed or workshop (10 percent) in 2020, according to the survey.
“To me, garden sheds never look good,” says Elboz. “It’s best to screen them with planting or timber screens with low planting in front.”
That eyesore of a shed at the back of the garden is another feature renovators have had their sights set on – one in 10 upgraded their outdoor shed or workshop (10 percent) in 2020, according to the survey.
“To me, garden sheds never look good,” says Elboz. “It’s best to screen them with planting or timber screens with low planting in front.”
About the Houzz & Home survey
The annual Houzz & Home survey is the largest published survey of residential renovation, building and decorating activity. It covered a wide range of renovation projects in 2020, from interior renovations and additions to home systems, exterior upgrades and outdoor projects. Data gathered includes historical and planned spends, professional involvement, motivations and challenges behind building, renovation and decorating projects, as well as planned activities for 2021.
The 2021 study includes over 2,471 respondents in Australia alone, providing insights into the home improvement activity of the millions of users of the Houzz site and mobile apps.
The annual Houzz & Home survey is the largest published survey of residential renovation, building and decorating activity. It covered a wide range of renovation projects in 2020, from interior renovations and additions to home systems, exterior upgrades and outdoor projects. Data gathered includes historical and planned spends, professional involvement, motivations and challenges behind building, renovation and decorating projects, as well as planned activities for 2021.
The 2021 study includes over 2,471 respondents in Australia alone, providing insights into the home improvement activity of the millions of users of the Houzz site and mobile apps.
Your turn
Are you one of the many people who have redone their garden recently? If so, what has your experience been? Any wise words for other readers? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Read more about the survey here. See more stories about this year’s results with Reno Insights: Who Spent How Much on Their New Home?
Are you one of the many people who have redone their garden recently? If so, what has your experience been? Any wise words for other readers? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Read more about the survey here. See more stories about this year’s results with Reno Insights: Who Spent How Much on Their New Home?
According to the survey, one third of homeowners (33 percent) chose to renovate their outdoor area due to an outdated or undesirable design or style.
Landscape designer Michelle Davies at Designing Inside Out believes that Covid lockdowns have had an impact. “Spending more time at home means our clients are wanting to utilise any extra space they have and if there is an option to be out in the fresh air more, that’s a bonus – being closer to nature is always therapeutic,” she says.