Wickes Study Shows Brits Are Increasingly Investing In Their 'Fifth Rooms'

• The humble Great British back garden is becoming the new favourite entertainment space for house-proud Brits
  
  
• The garden is now the third most invested ‘room’ after the kitchen and living room
  
  
• The latest garden trends are helping turn gardens into trendy and social media inspired ‘fifth rooms’ to impress friends and family
  
  
• The Wickes Great Garden Report reveals millions of Brits are entertaining in the garden now more than 10 years ago

House-proud Brits are heading outdoors to entertain friends and family - by turning their back garden into a ‘fifth room’ in their homes.

Accessible garden furniture like fire pits and patio heaters are helping turn humble back gardens into social media-inspired spaces at home to wow friends and family. This trend is evident on platforms like TikTok, where the hashtag #garden has amassed over 46,000 posts in the last four months, establishing itself as the second most popular hashtag in the Home Improvement category, trailing only #renovation.^[2] 

And more than a third of homeowners (36%) entertain in their back gardens more now than they did a decade ago, according to the new Great Garden Report by Wickes* - and a quarter (27%) say that’s because it’s now too expensive to go to restaurants and bars. The report also reveals nearly three quarters (71%) of homeowners are now prepared to invest up to £10,000 in their gardens over the next five years, making it the third most invested ‘room’ after the kitchen and living room. 

Katie Rushworth, TV presenter and garden maker, who helped compile the Wickes report, said: ‘Many now see the garden as an extra room in the home, particularly as a reflection of their personal style. In fact, a whopping 16% would even consider adding an entire cabin for entertaining guests in the garden, showcasing just how seriously we're taking this trend! 

‘In the five years since the pandemic, we’ve come to appreciate the outdoors more than ever while adapting outside spaces to ever changing lifestyles. 

‘Accessible and affordable furniture can now provide the all-important social-media factor at home, and when you add in the cost of living, it makes perfect sense that the garden is being increasingly considered as the fifth room to entertain. 

‘The way we view our gardens is changing for millions: move over prize-winning roses - these days it’s statement lighting and glowing fire pits that steal the spotlight.’ 

Wickes says it saw a sharp increase in people carrying out garden improvements as a result of the pandemic - and the ‘fifth room’ trend has built steadily ever since. 

Clair Albone, Wickes Gardening Expert, added: ‘While the pandemic certainly accelerated the 'fifth room' trend, our research indicates that this is more than just a fleeting fad. 

‘We're seeing homeowners make deliberate, long-term investments in their gardens, such as creating dedicated relaxation zones. This reflects a fundamental shift in how we perceive our outdoor spaces - no longer just an afterthought, but a valuable extension of the home that enhances both our lifestyles and our property value.’ 

In addition, the report also reveals that the garden is a sanctuary for mental well-being. In fact, over a third (38%) of homeowners believe their mental health would be far worse without access to their garden, and a massive 75% also crave a nice environment where they can unwind and relax. 

The Great Garden Report confirms what many have already discovered: the garden is no longer just a patch of grass, but a vital extension of the home, offering a space to entertain, unwind, and express personal style.

To delve deeper into the findings and explore the full report, please visit: https://www.wickes.co.uk/wickes-houseproud-series

Source : Wickes 

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