Homeowners aged 25 to 34 will spend £1,352 on their gardens in 2026, more than three times the £431 that over-55s plan to invest in outdoor spaces. The gap, revealed in new research surveying 1,000 UK homeowners, exposes a widening generational divide in how Britons approach their properties—and who has the money to transform them.
The findings point to a £1 billion surge in garden spending as spring projects get underway.
Overall garden investment is climbing from £798 per homeowner in 2025 to £865 this year, a £67 annual increase that adds up across the country’s housing stock. Yet that average conceals a stark split: almost half of the younger cohort intend to increase home and garden spending in 2026, compared with just 14% of the over-55 age group.
Trees, plants and hedges top the shopping lists. Garden lighting and fencing follow close behind, as homeowners—particularly younger ones—reshape outdoor spaces into functional extensions of their living areas rather than decorative afterthoughts.
But the generational contrast tells only part of the story. Higher-earning homeowners across all age brackets are planning significant budget increases for 2026, whilst lower-income households are pulling back. The result is a home improvement market increasingly bifurcated by wealth, with retailers and tradespeople likely to chase affluent customers willing to spend.
Across all home and garden projects combined, the average homeowner will invest £3,071 this year. Kitchens and living rooms compete with gardens for that spending, though outdoor spaces are gaining ground as Britons rethink how they use their properties.
Sarah Watkins, home and gardens expert at Platinum Spas, noted the income dimension. “It’s interesting to see how salaries are really impacting Brits’ attitudes and ability to upgrade their homes. As many homeowners tighten their purse strings, higher-income earners are spending more on home improvements. There’s a real trend in people seeing their homes as an investment, both financially and in terms of investing in their own enjoyment too.”
“The majority of homeowners in our survey said they see their property as a financial investment, so it makes sense that those with a little extra income are choosing to spend it wisely on their homes,” she added.
The shift reflects broader changes in how younger buyers view property—less as a static asset, more as something to actively develop. Whether that enthusiasm survives mortgage rate volatility and economic uncertainty remains to be seen. For now, garden centres and landscapers are watching the spring season with interest, aware that the customers turning up with the biggest budgets may skew younger and wealthier than in previous years.
The £921 gap between what 25-34 year-olds and over-55s spend on gardens suggests different priorities, different financial pressures, or both. Pensioners may have paid off mortgages but face fixed incomes. Younger homeowners carry bigger debts yet appear more willing to borrow or divert savings into property upgrades.
For the home and garden sector, that £1 billion boost is welcome. But it comes with a caveat: the spending is unevenly distributed, concentrated among those with disposable income to spare. Retailers chasing volume may struggle. Those targeting premium customers could thrive.
