Garden Buildings & Sustainability: Trends Shaping the Future of Outdoor Spaces

The garden building and structures market has seen several key trends emerge over the last few years with increased demand for multi-purpose, premium, insulated garden buildings designed for year-round use.

Our newly released Domestic Garden Buildings and Structures Market Report – 2024-2028 analyses the latest trends along with market size, market prospects & forecasts, key suppliers & sales, and distribution channels.

Editor of the report, Anne Williams, shares 5 key domestic garden buildings and structures trends and highlights below.

Market Growth for Domestic Garden Buildings and Structures

Market growth is anticipated starting from 2025, fuelled by the projected recovery in both housebuilding and the broader UK economy. With an upswing in new housing completions and increased house-moving activity, the demand for garden buildings and structures is expected to follow suit.

Consumer Preferences

Consumer preferences are evolving towards customizable, high-quality structures that offer durability, aesthetics, and versatility, with growing demand for multi-functional spaces which can serve as home offices, gyms, and relaxation areas.

Technological Advancements

Technology advancements are strongly influencing the market with smart features, such as remote-controlled lighting, heating, and security systems, enhancing consumer convenience and functionality.

A Focus on Sustainability

There is now greater concern for the environment, which has led to the UK government introducing a raft of energy efficiency legislation. Meanwhile, many consumers now actively look for eco-friendly product credentials.

As timber is a key material used for garden buildings & structures, certification such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) mark for sustainable forestry is widely used and sought. However, the complete carbon footprint of materials and finished products, including transportation and packaging, also play a key role, as do ethically sourced materials.

To avoid companies making excessively inflated claims about the environmental credentials of their products or services, the UK has introduced a new UK regulation from May 2024 which will bring large penalties for ‘greenwashing’ and will require clarity for sustainability references.

In short, a noticeable shift in product design and manufacturing has flagged a focus on sustainability within the outdoor living industry. An emphasis of eco-friendly materials, energy efficient features, and sustainable practices throughout the production process has been observed. 

Market share

Given the sheer volume sold in the domestic market, garden sheds & storage represent the largest sector by value, followed by log cabins & summerhouses, then garden rooms.

Whilst there has been value growth across all sectors of the market over the past decade, the replacement market for garden sheds & storage remains strong; driven by home moving activity and replacement due to weather damage and decay.

Future Opportunities

Anne Williams, Research Manager at Barbour ABI stated:

“Despite current economic uncertainty the market remains a fertile ground for innovation and adaptation, from the enduring popularity of Garden Sheds & Storage to the increasing demand for multifunctional Garden Rooms, the industry’s resilience and capacity for innovation will set the stage for a promising future, fuelled by the enduring desire for additional garden space amidst shifting lifestyles and economic landscapes.”