Landscaping around your self-build

Gazing out into the garden of dreams from the pristine, glossy interiors of a home is the stuff of dreams for every self-builder.

The sad reality is that many first-time self-builders end up glumly staring at a sad, bare patch of ground or a pile of rubble.

Garden and landscaping are often the last port of call for any self-builder. This overlooked project can prove to be a bigger job than anticipated. After the highs and lows of constructing a home, self-builders leave their gardens until last, when money and time has run out.

It needn’t be so bleak. The great draw of self building is that you can factor in landscaping at the beginning of your self-build project. This gives you the chance to design a garden to suit your own needs and preferences, just as you would with your self-build home. Yes, it may take time for the garden to mature but carefully considered design ensures the new house suits its location and blends in, rather than becoming an imposing build on the landscape.

There are several ways to bring the exterior of your home to life and enhance its curb appeal.

Drainage is key

Considering how water will drain away is crucial when selecting landscaping choices. The last thing you need is your new home to flood so opting for gravelled areas, lawns, and borders can be great options. If you’re looking at hard landscaping in areas around the home, you need to consider manhole positions and check the boundary of your property.

Check out what’s trending

According to the Royal Horticultural Society’s chief horticulturist, Guy Barker, this year will see a focus on planet-friendly gardening, finding new ways to encourage wildlife and trying new techniques to improve soil and be water-wise.

Future-proofing spaces for extreme weather conditions from droughts to heatwaves is high on the list, achieving this through gravel gardens and xeriscaping (gardens designed to minimise future watering).

Green with envy

Enhance your outdoor spaces by adding landscaping features like shrubs, trees, flowers, and garden beds. These elements can add pops of colour, texture, and dimension. You could add a focal point to your outdoor areas, such as a water feature, a sculpture, or a unique piece of outdoor furniture – a quick and clever way to add instant personality and interest to your home's exterior. For privacy, you could create screening with bamboo trees.

To create an established look with mature plants will cost more than a garden planted from seeds and bulbs but that’s where planning comes in. You could get ahead by bringing plants on in tubs as building work starts, ready to be planted when landscaping begins.

Light it up

Invest in high-quality outdoor lighting to highlight architectural features and illuminate walkways and landscaping. It means you can enjoy the outdoors after sunset. Lighting can also increase safety and security around your home. Plan and save cash by ensuring your electrician wires the outdoor and indoor lighting at the same time.
 

Bring the outside in

Biophilic design is an approach to architecture and interior design that seeks to connect occupants with nature in a built environment.

Studies have shown that exposure to nature and natural elements can have a positive impact on mental health and wellbeing. Biophilic design can incorporate elements such as natural light, greenery, and water features to help reduce stress and anxiety levels and improve overall mental wellbeing.

Roger Ulrich, a Professor of Architecture in Sweden published findings that showed post-operative patients in a Pennsylvania hospital who were assigned a room with a leafy view took fewer stronger painkillers, and were discharged from hospital earlier – compared to those with a window facing a brick wall.

Connecting the outside with inside can be achieved with conservatory glazing by opening up a living room onto the garden, providing a new living space while being visually open to its external environment.

Conservatory glazing can also contribute positively to the home’s energy performance by capturing solar gain and contributing to heating in the cold months.

Add value to your property

You may be wondering whether adding a garden office to your self-build will add value to your property. The simple answer is yes. The increase in floor space and the improved look of your garden are attractive features to potential buyers when (and if!) you decide to sell your self-build.