In the same way that interior design trends come and go, garden designs change over time too. It may seem, for example, that the garden lawn, the neatly trimmed and vibrant green landscape of so many homes, has always been popular. Yet, it is a relatively recent phenomenon that coincides with the invention of the lawnmower.
Now, for a number of reasons that we will share today, the garden lawn is being left behind, soon to become unfashionable.
Why We Love The Wild
The tidy garden lawn has been a symbol of maintenance, demonstrating that a homeowner has the time, taste, and ability to take care of their garden. Being the first thing that many passersby will notice, the lawn has always been, as such, one of the most important considerations for kerb appeal and first impressions.
While this consideration hasn’t necessarily changed, cultural and societal preferences have. Now, there is a prevailing concern for sustainability and the environment, with homeowners seeking to reduce their carbon footprint and promote local wildlife. It’s the same reason as to why more residents are growing their own vegetables, keeping bees, and building insect hotels.
A tidy lawn runs contrary to these ideas being itself a monoculture that acts as a desert in the world of wildlife. Whereas many alternatives, such as wildflower meadows and vegetable gardens, are ecologically rich. Biodiversity is far more preferable in a modern gardening world and is even being celebrated, demonstrating a homeowner’s ability to cultivate and style a natural environment.
Additionally, these alternatives need not be seen as unkempt as they once were. In fact, the wild look of aesthetics like cottagecore, those that bring rustic log cabins and a diverse selection of plants to a garden, are becoming even more aesthetically valued, demonstrating that a home can be beautiful and environmentally friendly.
A New Type Of Garden
This new type of garden is becoming more popular. It is no longer uncommon for homeowners to have areas dedicated solely to wildlife, going beyond simple bird baths and boxes to have hedgehog hotels and even chicken coops. Gardens, it seems, are heading toward a trajectory of becoming much like smallholdings or allotments, which makes even more sense to those who have seen expected wait times associated with allotment ownership.
These ecological considerations are not solely for the purpose of local critters and pollinators. Many homeowners are also concerned about their own carbon emissions and have begun to utilise their garden’s connection to the elements to mitigate their impact on the planet. Water butts, compost systems, and solar panels are all increasingly common features of gardens as a result.
Finally, there is the sense of value that comes from a garden. A lawn has historically been absent of other features, which is a luxury many new homeowners cannot afford as house prices continue to rise. As such, outbuildings and annexes are becoming increasingly popular as a way to accommodate guests, create office space, and simply expand a home’s size affordably.
