Let’s be honest. When people come to see a house, they don’t start by checking the boiler. They stop at the gate. They look around. They smell the air. And in the first 30 seconds, the garden already did half the job. I’ve seen buyers fall in love before even opening the front door. Crazy ? Not really. A well-designed garden can seriously boost the perceived value of a home. Sometimes by 5%, sometimes more. And no, it’s not about having a palace garden. It’s about feeling something. Calm, space, potential. You know what I mean, right ?

Second thing, and this is where it gets interesting : you don’t need to do everything yourself. I talked once with a landscaper near Montargis who told me most sellers wait too long before asking for help. A simple consultation can change everything. If you want a concrete example of what pros actually do, have a look at https://paysagiste-montargis.fr – it gives a pretty real idea of how structure and flow in a garden can totally change the vibe of a house. Not magic. Just smart choices.

Start with structure, not flowers

Big mistake I see all the time : people start with plants. Roses here, lavender there. Looks nice… for a month. Then it’s chaos. Frankly, structure comes first. Paths, borders, clear zones. Where do you walk ? Where do you sit ? Where does the eye rest ?

A simple gravel path costs almost nothing and instantly makes the garden feel organized. A small terrace, even 10 m², helps visitors imagine Sunday lunches. And trust me, imagination sells houses.

Ask yourself : if someone walks in for the first time, do they know where to go ? Or do they hesitate ? That hesitation, it kills value.

Think low maintenance (buyers love that)

Here’s something that surprised me when I first heard it : buyers don’t want a “beautiful” garden. They want an “easy” one. Sounds sad, but it’s true.

Overgrown hedges ? Stress. Fragile plants ? Stress. A lawn that needs water every two days ? Big stress.

Instead, go for :

• Local plants that survive without babysitting
• Mulch instead of bare soil (looks clean, saves time)
• Defined planting areas, not random green everywhere

I once saw a house with a small olive tree, two grasses, and gravel. That’s it. And people kept saying : “Wow, the garden is amazing.” Amazing ? No. Reassuring. And that’s what sells.

Use the garden to extend the house

This part is key. A garden shouldn’t feel separate from the house. It should feel like an extra room. Or two.

If the living room opens to the garden, align the terrace with the interior floor. Same axis, same direction. Even with different materials, the brain connects both spaces.

Add a pergola, a simple wooden one. Suddenly, you’ve got an outdoor living room. Buyers start counting square meters in their head. And boom, perceived value goes up.

Question for you : can someone imagine having coffee outside in the morning ? If yes, you’re on the right track.

Light changes everything (even in a small garden)

I’m a bit obsessed with outdoor lighting. Because it’s cheap compared to the impact.

A few solar lights along a path. One spotlight on a tree. Soft light near the terrace. That’s it. At dusk, the garden becomes… emotional. And emotion is expensive in real estate.

I’ve seen houses that looked “meh” during the day and absolutely charming at night. Same garden. Just light.

Pro tip : avoid strong white light. Warm tones feel more premium. Cold light feels like a parking lot. Not great.

Don’t overdo it (seriously)

This might sound weird coming from someone talking about value, but less is often more. Too many features confuse buyers. Pond, fountain, playground, vegetable garden, firepit… stop.

Leave room for projection. Buyers want to add their own story. Not erase yours.

If you hesitate between adding something or keeping it simple, keep it simple. I’ve hesitated many times, and simplicity almost always won.

So, does it really increase value ?

Short answer : yes. Clear yes.

A clean, structured, easy-to-maintain garden makes a house sell faster and often higher. Not because of plants. Because of feeling. Because people think : “I could live here without changing everything.”

And honestly, that’s the best compliment a house can get.

If you’re preparing a sale, or even just thinking long-term, take a walk in your garden today. Look at it like a stranger would. What do they see first ? What do they feel ? Start there. The rest follows.