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Now is a good time to plan your next garden makeover

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By Clare Yates • 10th January 2025 • 4 min read

Get the most from your outdoor living space in retirement

Written in line with our editorial policy.

With spring just a few months away, now is the perfect time to start planning a retirement garden makeover that suits your unique vision and aspirations.

As retirement brings more free time to enjoy life’s simple pleasures, your garden can become an important retreat—a place to relax, entertain and connect with nature.

Whether it’s hosting family barbecues, tending to flowerbeds, or simply enjoying your morning coffee in the fresh air, your garden can play a central role in your retirement lifestyle. 

The role of your garden in later life

Retirement often provides the opportunity to spend more time at home. A garden makeover can transform your outdoor space into a sanctuary tailored to your lifestyle. 

As your priorities and needs shift, so too might the design and function of your garden. Factors like accessibility, maintenance and safety might become increasingly important, especially for those who want to enjoy their garden well into their later years.

A garden makeover offers the chance to create a space that:

  • Encourages outdoor relaxation and exercise.
  • Provides extra living space for your increased time at home.
  • Supports hobbies like gardening, growing your own food or birdwatching.
  • Is easily accessible and safe for all users, including those with mobility challenges.
  • Reflects your personal style and taste.

Assessing your garden: what needs to change?

The first step in any garden makeover is to evaluate your current space. What do you love about your garden, and what feels like a chore? Are there areas that feel outdated, unsafe or hard to access? This reflection will help you identify the improvements that will make the biggest difference.

Start by imagining how you’d like to use your garden and what changes would make it easier to enjoy. Whether it’s installing ramps between levels, clearing space for vegetable patches, creating a cosy seating area or planting more trees for privacy, your garden should be a space that works for you.

Designing for accessibility

As we age, it’s important to consider how our gardens can remain practical and enjoyable. Accessibility is a key consideration, particularly for those with mobility challenges. 

Uneven paths, steep steps or narrow walkways might make some areas of your garden difficult to enjoy. Similarly, high-maintenance features like extensive lawns or intricate flower beds may feel less appealing now. 

For example, gentle slopes or ramps can replace steps between levels, creating a seamless flow that’s both functional and attractive. Similarly, wide, smooth paths made from materials like resin-bound gravel or paving stones provide a solid, non-slip surface that’s easy to navigate.

Raised garden beds are another excellent addition. These allow you to tend to plants and vegetables without bending or kneeling, which can become more challenging over time. Don’t forget to include plenty of seating areas in both sunny and shaded spots, so you can enjoy your garden at any time of day.

And remember that accessibility improvements don’t just make your garden safer – they can also enhance its aesthetic appeal. For example, raised beds can add height and structure to your garden, making it more visually appealing.

Simplifying maintenance

Gardens can be a source of joy, but they can also require significant upkeep. If you’d prefer to spend more time relaxing and less time working in your garden, consider incorporating low-maintenance features. 

Swapping traditional lawns for alternative, low-maintenance surfaces is one way to reduce your workload. For example, you might choose hardy ground cover plants or shrubs that suppress weeds and require minimal pruning.

Perennials are another excellent option for a low-maintenance garden. These plants come back year after year, reducing the need for replanting. Lavender, sedums and hostas are all popular choices for retirement gardens. 

To further simplify care, you could install an automatic irrigation system, ensuring your plants stay hydrated without the need for manual watering.

Creating spaces to socialise and relax

A garden is more than just a collection of plants: it’s also a space to connect with others. Whether you love hosting summer BBQs or prefer quiet evenings with a book, your garden should reflect your social habits. 

Adding a patio or decking area can create the perfect spot for outdoor dining and lounging. If you enjoy cooking, a built-in barbecue or pizza oven station with a preparation area could be a welcome addition.

For year-round enjoyment, consider a sheltered structure like a pergola or summerhouse. These features provide protection from the elements, allowing you to use your garden even on cooler or rainy days. 

If you’re looking for something cosier, a chiminea or fire pit can create a warm, inviting atmosphere for evening gatherings, or roasting marshmallows with the grandkids.

Welcoming wildlife

Adding wildlife-friendly elements to your garden can bring it to life and provide endless enjoyment. Simple features like bird feeders, bee-friendly plants, bug hotels or a small pond can attract a variety of creatures, turning your garden into a vibrant ecosystem. 

Wildflowers are an excellent choice for supporting pollinators and adding colour. Birdhouses and water features can encourage regular visits from feathered friends.

Funding your garden makeover

Some garden improvements can be done on a shoestring budget. Others, like landscaping or installing new features, can be costly. 

For larger projects, you may need to dig into your savings. But if that’s not possible, other alternatives could include arranging a remortgage, taking out a small loan or arranging an equity release plan.

Equity release enables homeowners aged 55 and over to unlock some of the tax-free cash tied up in their property. This can be particularly useful if you want to stay in your current home but need to make significant changes to suit your retirement lifestyle. However, it’s essential to understand the long-term implications, as a plan will by its very nature reduce the value of your estate. 

If a financial boost via equity release sounds like something you want to consider, you’re not alone. Making home and garden improvements has long been a common reason for arranging equity release. 

Speak to one of our selected advisers today to check your eligibility and see how much you could unlock. Call 0808 178 3055 or request a call back for a time that suits you best. 

Alternatively, downsizing could be another option. You could choose a home with a bigger and well-designed outdoor space to save yourself the expense and effort of a complete garden makeover. 

Additionally, downsizing may free up extra money to support your retirement lifestyle while reducing the time and effort needed for cleaning and maintaining a larger home.

Transform your garden into a retirement haven

A garden makeover can breathe new life into your outdoor space, turning it into a retreat that’s accessible, low-maintenance and perfect for relaxing or entertaining. 

By planning now, you can ensure your garden is ready to bloom in time for spring, providing a sanctuary where you can enjoy the fruits of your labour for years to come. And if money is the obstacle to that transformation, there are solutions that you may wish to consider.

About Clare Yates. With over a decade’s experience writing about later life financial planning, Clare offers a wealth of knowledge about equity release, pension annuities, wills, LPAs and more. When she isn’t writing, Clare likes to spend her time baking and going on walks with her husband, two children and their rescue dog. Follow Clare on LinkedIn

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