This inspiring image represents the nation’s dream garden - featuring a summer house, swimming pool and vegetable patch.
The ‘garden-goals’ design comes after a study of 2,000 adults found the ideal outdoor space is 88ft long and south facing.
Half of respondents opted for a flat rather than tiered landscape and 32 per cent chose stone flooring, with 30 per cent preferring wood-look decking.
Other back yard must-haves include a built-in barbeque, a shed and a fire pit. When it comes to the grass, 72 per cent favour the real thing while only 14 per cent would like to have astro-turf.
The research and image were commissioned by Onduline and found that overall, the average adult’s dream garden would appear colourful (48 per cent), inviting (45 per cent) and tidy (41 per cent).
Importance if gardens
Paul Duffy, Onduline’s spokesman said: “The research proves how important gardens are to residents of the UK and how we all aspire to have a ‘dream garden.’ This has definitely become more apparent during recent months, with increased time spent at home as we have all been day dreaming about what our perfect home and garden would look like.
“What was particularly interesting from the research was seeing how much time people spend in their gardens and outdoor buildings and therefore want it to be the perfect space whether for entertaining, working-out or relaxing.”
Housing animals, sports and outdoor gyms
The research also found a third would border their dream garden with a fence, while 32 per cent prefer hedging.
More than half would also like a big enough space to house animals, including chickens (57 per cent), ducks (32 per cent) and goats (17 per cent).
From wannabe farmers to active sports players, a tenth would also include a tennis court in their dream garden and another 10 per cent would like an outdoor gym.
It also emerged that on average, those polled think their perfect garden will cost £5,043.
Environmentally friendly products
A fifth would put environmentally friendly products above the expenditure when planning their dream garden and 28 per cent feel it’s important to use sustainable materials outside.
More than half would get professionals in to create their inspirational garden, while a brave 30 per cent would see it as a DIY project.
The study, carried out via OnePoll, also found that despite 31 per cent being happy with their garden currently, only 17 per cent feel they have their ‘dream’ garden.
And a sixth are unimpressed with their outdoor space while a tenth even went as far as to say they were embarrassed by it.
Outdoor buildings
At present during the typical week, garden-owners spend seven hours out there, along with three hours in their outdoor buildings – 13 per cent have a summer house and 55 per cent own a garage currently.
More than a quarter use their outdoor buildings for relaxing, 15 per cent have them as their work space and 17 per cent enjoy hobbies in them.
Similarly, almost two thirds use their garden as a place to relax, while a fifth regularly dine outside and 17 per cent use the space to play with their children.
Outdoor buildings have always been a key feature of any garden
Onduline’s spokesman added: “Outdoor buildings have always been a key feature of any garden, whether it is a shed or greenhouse, but this survey highlights that people dream of being more adventurous with their choices. Summer houses or animal pens may seem like very aspirational products but making the dream a reality is much easier than many may think.
“These days innovation in materials means it is much easier to install an outdoor building, and the job can easily be completed in a couple of hours. Aside from the ease of installation, the other benefit of these new materials is that they stand the test of time.
“Onduline’s lightweight roofing products are made from an eco-friendly robust material that doesn’t contain any metal, meaning they will not rust, so once fitted you can rest assured that you won’t need to replace your roof for another at least 15 years. And they come in a range of colours, therefore ticking a number of the ‘dream garden’ requirements.”
Features of Brits’ dream garden:
Features of Brits’ dream garden:
- Lots of plants
- Vegetable/fruit patch
- Summer house
- Water feature
- Bird feeder
- Shed
- A pathway
- Hanging baskets
- Sun loungers
- Swimming pool
- Raised flower beds
- Built in barbeque
- Pond/lake
- Fairy lights
- Greenhouse
- Hot tub
- Dining table
- Fire pit
- A bridge over water
- Garden statues/ornaments
- Pizza oven
- Swing bench
- Hammock
- Corner sofa
- Log cabin
- Outdoor heaters
- Spotlights
- Treehouse
- Pergola
- Bar
- Bee house
- Workshop
- Orangery
- Day bed
- Chiminea
- Carport/bespoke garage
- Sauna
