Despite sometimes being overlooked by homeowners, house hunters are placing greater value on a well-kept garden. Unruly outdoor spaces can reduce the interest in a property and negatively impact its value. But there's a simple fix — and it starts with your garden fence and a fresh coat of paint.
A fence makes a garden much more private and secluded, as well as keeping your property secure, so it's a necessity to potential homebuyers; broken or damaged ones will actively devalue your property. If your fence is in good condition, you're halfway there, but your fence colour could have a transformative effect on how your garden appears to potential buyers.
Here are the fence colours that could add value and make your home more desirable.
Grey
• Choose grey for the illusion of a bigger space
The grey debate will forever continue, but for Ronseal's interior expert and brand manager, Clara Dursent, it's her top pick for a well-sized garden. 'Slate grey is a modern and sophisticated choice for fence paint; it works particularly well with medium to large gardens, as at a glance, it gives the illusion that the garden has no boundaries, helping it appear larger,' suggests Clara. 'Often, we associate white with making a space look bigger but when it comes to larger gardens it can do the opposite by creating an obvious perimeter to the garden.'
Fiona Jenkins, gardening expert from MyJobQuote, agrees and notes that grey works particularly well with evergreen shrubs: 'Light grey softens and blurs the frame of your garden, making it look much bigger than it is. It's a great option if you have more foliage-based plants rather than flowers throughout your garden, too, as the contrast between the light hue of the fence draws the eye outward. This makes the boundaries of the garden appear less constrictive and enhances the sense of spaciousness.'
For a cool, crisp look, opt for grey with blue undertones or achieve a warm grey with pink undertones.
White
• Choose white for small gardens
'For gardens on the smaller size, white is a great option; just make sure it's been given a fresh lick of paint before the viewing,' advises Clara. 'If your garden is full of colourful plants and flowers, white is a great option for showing them off. Alternatively, you could opt for cream or off-white, which will be more forgiving if your fence is susceptible to marks and algae.'
Tip: 'Matching the paint you use for your shed and fences to your wooden furniture elevates the sophistication of any garden,' says Marianne Shillingford, creative director at Cuprinol.
Green
• Choose green for versatility
Clara's final recommendation is green. As a failsafe, versatile (from sage green to moss) and incredibly popular interior paint colour, it's a firm favourite for outdoor spaces too.
'If you're looking to update your fence in anticipation of selling your home, green is a great colour to consider; most people are a fan of it, and it would work beautifully against any plants or wooden furniture in your garden,' she explains. 'It's much more daring than creams and greys but muted enough to work with most design choices, and complements wood exceptionally well.'
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