Brits crave ‘the great outdoors’

Published 16th Aug 2007

New research from Alliance & Leicester Personal Loans* reveals families across the UK are aiming to improve their outdoor spaces so they can spend more time relaxing in their ‘extra room’...

The findings highlight how one in three (32%) would favour spending more time outside in their gardens, or on terraces, or balconies - if the areas were made more attractive. For those in their 20s and early 30s this figure jumps to more than half (53%).

So whether it’s a lawned garden with plush flower beds, a paved roof terrace for the sun-worshipper, or an urban balcony tight on space but high on style, the Great British public wants to be outdoors and not cooped up inside.

Respondents were quizzed about a whole host of improvements they favoured tackling to transform spaces into a place to relax and unwind during the summer months. It emerged that nearly half (49%) wanted to give their flora a makeover and splash out on some new trees, shrubs and plants.

External space
Around one in three (33%) said they would opt for low-maintenance, multi-purpose patio or patio decking. A further one in three (32%) said they would opt to improve their gardens’ external lighting with large patio, lamp posts. But for one in seven (15%) the best way of enjoying the great outdoors was to claim the external space back and build a conservatory.

Richard Al-Dabbagh, Alliance & Leicester Senior Personal Loans Manager, said: “More and more people would like to treat their outside space like an extra room, especially in the summer months when indoors can become stuffy and hot. Even the smallest balcony can be turned into something attractive and stylish - everything a family needs to spend the summer months in the great outdoors.”

Improvements to the outside space not only provide a roomy alternative to spending summer in the lounge, they are also an investment which could add to the property’s value and an affordable, low-rate personal loan could easily pave the way for a host of improvements.

Increased value
Russell Jervis, Managing Director of Haart estate agents, said: “Homeowners can do a wide variety of things that have the potential to increase the value of their property. Having extra outdoor space that can be used throughout the year is very attractive to potential buyers.

“At Haart we estimate a conservatory adds about 15% to property prices and a patio or decking adds about 5%. This means that having a gleaming conservatory could increase the value by £30,000, with decking or a patio adding around £10,000 - both sums not to be sniffed at.”

Source: ' Move Channel Ltd '

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