At this time of year your garden is probably beginning to look a little tired. So is there anything you can do to give it a lift – whether that’s in preparation for putting your house on the market, or simply because you want your garden to look good even after summer has ended?

Typically, as we move deeper into autumn, the garden gets more and more covered in dead leaves and plants become scruffy as they die back for winter.  It may all look a bit daunting, but one of the key factors in sprucing things up is to just tidy up. Start with the lawn. They tend to suffer at this time of the year if they are not regularly cleared – leaves block the light and kill off the grass. One of the best ways of clearing them is by mowing. Surprisingly, if the weather remains mild, the grass will keep on growing for quite some time to come. You should adjust you mower to cut slightly higher than normal –  afterwards, the grass should be about 2 inches high.  With the lawn trimmed and cleared everything then starts to look so much better.

The next thing on the list is neatening up your plants and shrubs. However, you need to take care what you prune. If you are in any doubt, you can always look up the correct timings for individual plants on the internet. Avoid cutting back evergreen shrubs and hedges at this time of year, as it may encourage new growth that will be killed off by the frost. This is the perfect time, though, to reshape any plants and shrubs that have lost their leaves. You can trim shrub roses by about a third, which not only tidies them up, it also helps them avoid winter wind damage (wind rock).  It’s also the time to prune any wisteria or vines which have become unsightly. Many of these types of climbers are to be found on the front of properties, so a good trim will have the added benefit of improving a home’s kerb appeal.

It’s not just about tidying things up, there are a number of plants that you can add that will look great all winter. Evergreens are an obvious choice, but there are also dogwoods (https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=130). Although they lose their leaves, they often have stunningly coloured, decorative branches, from pale greens to reds and dark purples. They look great planted in clumps and can be mixed together for a really vibrant look.  There are also a number of perennials worth considering, some of which produce striking seed heads and leaves as they slowly die off. A couple of good examples are Miscanthus (https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/116018/i-Miscanthus-sinensis-i-Adagio/Details) or Sanguisoba (https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/16403/i-Sanguisorba-officinalis-i/Details) and, as an added bonus, they will look truly beautiful when covered in frost. Another plant family worth considering is grasses. There are plenty that are winter friendly, such as Acorus gramineus (Sweet Flag) (https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/117878/i-Acorus-gramineus-i-Hakuro-nishiki-(v)/Details) or iopogon planiscapus  (Black Mondo Grass) (https://www.rhsplants.co.uk/plants/_/grasses/ophiopogon-planiscapus-nigrescens/itemno.RH30000746/#:~:text=black%20lilyturf%20%2D%20Ophiopogon%20planiscapus%20Nigrescens,-%C2%A39.99&text=This%20small%2C%20easy%20to%20grow,by%20spherical%2C%20dark%20blue%20fruit.). They look great in pots and can be taken with you if you are moving home. You can even get some plants that will flower all the way through to spring, including winter flowering pansies or cyclamens and heathers (https://www.rhs.org.uk/about-the-rhs/blogs/blogs/october-2014/easy-like-sunday-morning). They’ll add a splash of colour and, like grasses, can be planted in pots as well as beds. The Christmas classic is, of course, a berry covered holly tree. However, if you want to be a bit more adventurous, you could try a sweet box (https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/50660/i-Sarcococca-orientalis-i/Details), which not only flowers during winter but also smells fantastic.

Something else to bear in mind – as the days grow progressively shorter, your garden will soon be seen more often in darkness than in light. If you install some good quality low voltage lighting, it can prolong your enjoyment. Try uplighting a tree or two – it will turn them into fantastic sculptural features. You’ll need to put in armoured cable from the house and you will almost certainly be required, by law, to hire an electrician to do the work, but it will be well worth it.

One final piece of advice – one of the best ways of ensuring your garden looks good whatever the weather (even if it snows), is to put some structure in it. That’s anything from a well-shaped hedge to an architectural feature, pool or gazebo. Formal raised flowerbeds at varying heights also work well and will contrast nicely with the surrounding organic plant forms.

Right, that should be plenty to keep you inspired – happy gardening.

The UK property market has enjoyed a mini boom since reopening after the lockdown and the government’s stamp duty cut could result in more people moving home over the next few months.

What’s happening to the property market? Property markets across the UK have now reopened, meaning estate agents are conducting in-person house viewings again and buyers are able to move home once more.

All UK governments have also temporarily cut stamp duty. This means buyers could potentially save up to £15,000 in tax if they move home before April 2021. The cut is designed to reignite the property market in the wake of COVID-19, although there are signs that the wheels were already beginning to turn.

Provisional data from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) shows that 70,710 property sales went through in July, up 14.5% on June’s figures but down 27% year-on-year.

How have house prices changed? It’s too early to tell how much impact coronavirus is having on house prices and it’s likely that the figures we see in the coming months will fluctuate significantly.

The most reliable barometer of house prices is the Land Registry’s UK House Price Index. The index was suspended during the lockdown, but last week the Land Registry released delayed figures for May showing a 0.3% month-on-month drop and a 2.9% year-on-year rise in prices.

The Land Registry says that by 21 October it will be back on track with its scheduled reports and by that time we may have a clearer indication of what’s really happened to values. Rightmove’s index (which is based on asking prices rather than sold prices) reported a 0.2% month-on-month drop in August. Nationwide’s index (based on mortgage lending) reported a 2% month-on-month rise in prices, while Halifax (also based on lending) reported a 5.2% increase.

Property market predictions There’s a great deal of optimism around the property market at the moment, with Rightmove hailing ‘the busiest month for 10 years’ in August and Zoopla saying activity is at its strongest level in five years. This might not last, however.

Experts believe the market (and house price growth) could slow down once the government’s coronavirus financial support schemes and the stamp duty cut come to an end.

Halifax says the housing market will eventually feel the effects of the economic downturn, with ‘greater downward pressure on house prices in the medium-term’.

Nationwide says the winding down of government support schemes could ‘dampen housing activity’.

Rightmove says the market is likely to continue performing well in the short-term, but buyers and sellers ‘still need to be mindful of the wider economic concerns’.

Zoopla believes that prices and activity will remain stable until the end of the year. The Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) predicts house prices could fall by 14% in 2021.

Mid-range buyers in more expensive parts of England are likely to be the biggest beneficiaries of the stamp duty cut, with savings of £10,000 on a £400,000 property and £15,000 on a £500,000 property encouraging more moves. In the short term, this could theoretically make house prices rise, especially on properties in sought-after areas within commuting distance of major cities.

But buying a home based on the stamp duty cut could be a dangerous move, as you might pay a premium now and then see the property’s value fall over the next 12 months.

For more information please give us a call on 0208 993 0056

Lockdown has put a renewed focus on where and how we live. Some have emerged happier, some have made improvements. Others have decided it’s time to move on. According to a survey by Rightmove, it has changed the priorities for nearly half of renters (49%) and over a third of buyers (39%) currently looking for new homes.

One of the key issues is space. We want as much as we can get, but at the very least, a spare room that can be used as an office. It means there has been a substantial reduction in interest in flats. Before lockdown, the top 5 most sought after properties included both two bed (ranked No.5) and three bed flats (ranked No.3). Now there are only houses in the top five.

1) 3 bed house
2) 2 bed house
3) 1 bed house
4) 4 bed house
5) 6 bed house

For renters, the changes are even more pronounced. Studio flats used to be the most sought after. Now everyone wants small houses and bungalows.

We don’t just want bigger internal spaces, we want more outside space, too. Searches for homes with gardens on Rightmove were up 42% when compared to last year and by 84% for renters. The full list of our priorities is as follows:

63% – a bigger garden (or access to one)
43% – a bigger home
36% – access to parking space or garage
36% – a better home workspace
31% – to live closer to parks and green spaces
30% – to live in a more rural area
24% – to live closer to friends and family
22% – to live in a pet friendly home
15% – to live closer to non-essential amenities
13% – to live closer to essential local services
8% – to live closer to work

Renters have very similar priorities, although they rank ‘living in a pet friendly home’ higher, at No.3 (29%) rather than No.8.

With around half of the people Rightmove surveyed saying they were currently working from home (49%), it’s no surprise to find good internet speeds were also a priority. On the other hand, proximity to transport links and commute times were less so. That’s part of a more general desire to live in more suburban and rural areas, although it’s far more pronounced amongst buyers (30%) than renters (13%).

It will be interesting to see how many of these priorities change when the pandemic is finally over. There’s no doubt, as life returns to our cities, flats’ popularity will be restored. Some things, though, look set to remain. Many have enjoyed the experience of working from home and 21% said they’d like to continue doing so and 55% saying they’d like to mix home and office working.

Whatever your new priorities might be, we at J W & Sons can help you find your perfect home in any one of the following areas:

#Acton

#Ealing

#Chiswick

#Hammersmith

During the current corona crisis, moving home has become just a little more complicated. Don’t panic, though, with a little pre-planning it doesn’t have to be too stressful. Fortunately, many of the property industry’s professional bodies have come together to produce a very helpful guide on how to move home safely.

Mortgage valuations, home surveys and energy assessments

Most mortgage valuations and all home survey inspections and energy assessments will require surveyors to inspect your property in person. Surveyors will minimise time spent at the property, however depending on the service and your requirements, they may need to spend a longer time inspecting different parts of the property. 

Checklist for moving day during COVID-19

You can reduce moving day stress by preparing beforehand. 

Most removal services will now offer packing services but you and your household should also try and do as much of it as you can yourselves. 

A ‘deep clean’ is recommended when moving in and out of a property, so it’s a good idea to agree with your property lawyer whether you need to do a deep clean on your own home when it is empty, and also whether you need to do this in your new home before you move in.  

Vulnerable people or those shielding

If you are in this category, please seek medical advice on whether your move should take place as during this period the government advice is “staying at home and avoiding unnecessary contacts over this period, if at all possible.” 

They also suggest that “All parties involved in home buying and selling should prioritise agreeing amicable arrangements to change move dates for individuals in this group, or where someone in a chain is in this group.” 

Please read the advice for vulnerable people or those shielding in the ‘Government advice on home moving during the covid-19 outbreak’. 

Before moving day: 

1. If you need to send money to your property lawyer check whether your bank account has any limit on the amount you can send via your online banking. If you arrange the payments in advance you can avoid a visit to your bank. Be alert to fraudsters – they look for signs you might be sending money so avoid posting on social media that you are moving and be especially suspicious if you receive communication that suggests your property lawyer has changed their bank details. 
2. Self-pack miscellaneous and non-breakable items wherever possible (ask your removal company what boxes and other materials they will supply and to itemise any associated costs). 
3. Where possible, clean your belongings with standard domestic cleaning products before they are handled by others, including removal firms. 
4. Wherever possible, dismantle furniture items for packing, and then re-assemble at your new home. 
5. Co-ordinate your move with anyone living in the property so they will have time to move out before you or your removers arrive at the property. Check if there is an agreed time for the property to become vacant on the day of the move, for example 2pm. 
6. If possible, allow 72 hours between a householder moving out and a new one moving in. This is more likely when renting. 

Try to have everything packed and ready the night before your move. 

On moving day, before the removers arrive: 

If you haven’t already, clean your belongings with standard domestic cleaning products before they are handled by others, including removal firms . 
1. Ideally leave the property while the removers are working, either by staying outside, or keeping yourself to one room. Always observe the two metre social distancing measures. If you have access to disposable gloves, sanitising gels and possibly masks, please use them. 
2. Clean down hard surfaces with warm soapy water, then disinfect these surfaces with household disinfectant. 
3. Wipe down door handles/handrails/lift controls and other ‘touch points’ with household disinfectant (check first that it won’t damage the surfaces). 
4. Clean and wash toilet facilities as above. 
5. Keep windows open to allow ventilation. 
6. Have one designated bathroom, if possible, just for the crew to use. Place soap and hand – sanitiser within easy reach. Clean and wash the area as noted above. 
7. Open a loft hatch or set up a loft ladder. 
8. Ensure pets and children are out of the property or keep them in the same room as you. 
9. Wash your hands regularly, use paper towels to dry them and/or your own hand sanitiser. 

Remember – any keys handed over need to be sanitised by using hand sanitisers, or via disinfectant wipes. 

Note that it will not be possible for crew members to keep a full 2m distance during your move from each other, but you should keep a 2m social distance from them. 

If you’re moving home in any of the areas the areas where we operate in – Acton, Chiswick, & Hammersmith – and need some practical help or guidance, just give us a call.

So how does the tax work and what do the changes really mean? Stamp duty is a progressive tax, ie you pay nothing for the first £125,000 (£300,000 for first time buyers) and then 2% for the next £125,000, 5% for the next tranche and so on.

Standard bands (pre-holiday levels)

Bracket                                   Primary home                        buy-to-let/2^nd home

Up to £125,000                                   0%                                           3%

£125,001-£250,000                             2%                                           5%

£250,001-£925,000                             5%                                           8%

£925,001-£1.5m                                  10%                                         13%

Over £1.5                                            12%                                         15%

According to Rishi Sunak, the changes mean 9 out of 10 primary home buyers will, during the holiday period, not have to pay any stamp duty at all. However, it’s the more expensive purchases that will accrue the biggest savings. First time buyers are unlikely to see much benefit as, on average, they spend just £212,528, which is already below the tax threshold.  As you can see from the table below, savings top out for houses costing £500,000, whose buyers will see their purchase costs come down by £15,000. The average UK buyer spends £337,884 and will save £6,894.20. The table below gives you a rough guide to savings at different price levels.

Property value           Standard Stamp Duty            SD holiday rate          Saving

£100,000                                 £0                                            £0                         £0

£200,000                                 £1,500                                     £0                    £1,500

£300,000                                 £5,000                                     £0                    £5,000

£400,000                                 £10,000                                   £0                    £10,000

£500,000                                 £15,000                                   £0                    £15,000

£600,000                                 £20,000                                £5,000                 £15,000

£700,000                                 £25,000                               £10,000                £15,000

£800,000                                 £30,000                               £15,000                £15,000

£900,000                                 £35,000                               £20,000                £15,000

£1,000,000                              £43,750                               £28,750                £15,000

£1,100,000                              £53,750                               £38,750                £15,000

£1,200,000                              £63,750                               £48,750                £15,000

£1,300,000                              £73,750                               £58,750                £15,000

£1,400,000                              £83,750                               £68,750                £15,000

London’s more expensive homes mean those living in the capital will be the main beneficiaries of the SD holiday, where the average house price is £628,284 with SD savings of £15,000. In Acton, where we operate, the savings are substantial for almost all types of property, including for first time buyers:

Acton                                          Standard Stamp Duty             SD  Holiday                 Saving           

Average home: £540,713               £17,035.65                          £2000                           £15,035.65

Average flat: £429,899                   £11,494.95                          £0                               £11,494.95

Average terrace: £828,835             £31,441.75                          £16,441                       £15,000.75

Average semi: £855,471                £32,773.55                          £17,773                        £15,000

The temporary reduction in SD is likely to substantially boost demand, especially in Acton, and is also likely to stimulate activity from both investors and second home buyers who’ve been previously put off by the high levels of tax. It may also push up prices, but only slightly. The main criticism is that it does not benefit the majority of first time buyers and could lead to a depressed spring market, when the holiday period ends, as many will bring their purchase plans forward.

However, if you look back to 2016, when the then Chancellor, George Osborne, announced a 3% SD surcharge on BTL and second home purchases, it resulted in a huge spike in demand before the tax kicked in, with almost double the normal number of sales in the month beforehand. And yes, activity was down the month after, by around 20%, but quickly recovered and, although prices rose, it was by considerably less than the savings achieved.

So, with those figures in mind, it seems the SD holiday represents an excellent opportunity for both buyers and sellers alike.

*Figures Rightmove
*Changes do not apply to Scotland and Wales, which have their own property taxes.

While some house hunters still take an instinctive approach, it certainly pays off to be thorough during a property viewing to make sure you are absolutely sure the property is right for you and are fully aware of any wear and tear before you make an offer.

This tip guide lists everything you need to look for to make sure you get the most out of your property viewing.

Property layout

• Size – think about whether the property is the right size. Are the rooms big enough for your furniture? Bring a tape measure and map out where items will fit in each room. On the other hand, will you be stretching your budget for extra space you do not need?
• Storage – check each room for storage space. In the bedrooms, if there isn’t storage built in, factor in the size of wardrobes and drawers when looking at their shape and size.
• Potential renovations – would you prefer an open layout? Check whether any interior walls can be removed to create an open-plan space. Can the loft be converted? If you are a growing family, this could be a potential future project.

Fixtures and fittings

• Interior walls, floors, and tiles – check the walls for any cracks, including signs of any that have been freshly painted over. If you can fit a 10p piece into a crack (around 3mm) it could be a sign of subsidence. Check the condition of any carpets or floorboards, looking out for any stains – these could potentially be cleaned up before you move in.
• Check appliances – if any of the appliances are included, make sure you test to see if they are working.
• Fireplaces – are they operational? When were they last swept?
• Damp – keep an eye and nose out for damp in every room, including storage areas.

Windows and doors

• Condition – do they open and close easily? Are the seals in good condition? Check the condition of the window and door frames too.
• Type – What glazing are the windows? This could affect your energy bills.
• Locks – test all the locks to see if they are working correctly. Are any of them old and need replacing?

Plumbing and electrics

• Boiler – the boiler can potentially be a big cost if it needs replacing. Ask how old it is and check its service history. Is it still under warranty? Turn on a hot tap to test how long it takes for hot water to come through.
• Taps, showers, baths, and toilets – check that all the taps work and observe the water pressure. Do the same for the shower and bath. Give the toilets a flush to see if they are not faulty.
• Lights and power sockets – test all the lights and check the plugs. An easy way to do this is to bring along a phone charger and test charging your phone.
• Fuse box – find out how old the fuse box is and when it was last serviced.

Utilities

• Mobile signal – while you are looking around the property, check your phone signal.
• Broadband and TV connections – is fibre broadband available? Are there fibre, telephone and TV sockets in the property and are they in a sensible location. Is there a satellite outside?

Garden and exterior

• Brickwork and rendering – look over the brickwork, rendering and pointing for its general condition.
• Roof – if it’s a tiled roof, check the condition and look out for any broken tiles. If there is a flat roof, ask when it was last checked.
• Gutters and drains – the gutters are important as any issues here can have a knock-on effect to the rest of the property, usually causing damp. Check for any cracks or leaks, you may be able to spot dark patches on the brickwork directly below if there are any. Have a look at the drains to see if they are clogged up.
• Parking – is there enough space for the cars you have? If not, is there on road parking nearby?
• Garden direction – check the direction so you can get a feel for how much sunshine you are likely to get.
• Maintenance – think about the size of the garden and whether it’s a manageable size. Larger gardens can require lots of maintenance.

Local area

• Traffic – get a feel for how busy the road is by spending a bit of time outside the property. If you can, visit at different parts of the day including rush hour to get an honest account of the traffic.
• Commute – if possible, re-enact your commute to work from the property. Even better if you can do it during rush hour.
• Local amenities – more in depth research can be done before and after your viewing, but when you are in the local area you can get a good sense on where your local shop is, the closest pub, schools and GP surgery.
• Public transport – don’t forget the closest public transport options.

Over COVID-19

• Viewings must only take place with serious buyers who are genuinely interested in the property.
• Initial viewings should be done online as virtual viewings.

The lockdown has meant that huge swathes of us, from Acton to Ealing, are now working from home. Mostly, that means cramming yourself and your laptop into whatever space you can find. Our obsession with open plan living means they are often noisy and it is hard to get away from them at the end of the working day. It’s not the ideal arrangement, but even when lockdown ends, many of us will be reluctant to return to the daily commute. For those lucky enough to have some outside space, the solution is simple – a garden office.

www.officepod.co.uk

The good news is they are not nearly as expensive as an extension and if you buy an-off-the-shelf one, prices start around £4,000 for the smallest, most basic models, rising to around £30,000 for the biggest and best appointed ones. Bespoke designs are more pricey and will cost around £1,200-1,400/sq metre and can range anywhere from £6,000 to £40,000+ depending on size and specification. Typical extension costs in Acton are between £1,500-£2,000/sqm.

www.greenretreats.co.uk

The great thing about garden offices is that they minimise the need for planning permission, are quick and easy to install and, since many are made of wood, they tend to be extremely energy efficient. They don’t have to be used as an office, they can also be an auxiliary guest room, a studio or even a gym. And, as the main components are constructed offsite, there should be minimum disruption to the rest of the property during the build process.

www.officepod.co.uk

Once your garden office has been installed, your working life will change beyond all recognition. Separating your home and work life will be a doddle, your commute will improve dramatically, punctuated by grass and flowers rather than traffic fumes and crowds of people wearing facemasks. And, if you put in a sofa bed, when your relatives are allowed to stay again, you can happily send them to the bottom of the garden.

www.thegardenoffice.co.uk

Under the current circumstances, it is no surprise to find that demand for properties with garden offices is growing. They can raise the value of your property, whether you live in Acton or Chiswick, and often tip the balance of a purchasing decision in your favour when compared to properties without one. As ever, it is important that you chose a good quality one and that you get it professionally installed if you want to maximise the potential value uplift. As an additional bonus, in some instances you can even offset them against your personal tax bill (check with your accountant first). You will certainly save yourself the cost of your annual travel pass and any office rent you might otherwise be paying, not to mention the two extra hours of free time you’ll have every day.

http://ateliergardenstudios.com

So, hopefully you are now inspired enough to build your own garden office. And, if you haven’t got the space, you know what you have to do – buy yourself somewhere that does…

Always check with your local planning authority first – see below

https://www.ealing.gov.uk/site/scripts/google_results.php?q=planning

You can also make a request to see an historic planning application. For both of these services please email multimediateam@ealing.gov.uk

Even the colour of your front door can be revealing – red says you’re likely to be outspoken, Green rather than blue is the colour of traditionalists. Black suggests you are reserved and blue is regularly chosen by the more relaxed types. Mind you, you have to be careful not to rush to conclusions – a calendar on the wall doesn’t necessarily mean you’re organised. Psychologists say if it’s not being used, it’s more about aspiring to being organised rather than actually being so! Interestingly, those people who are excessively tidy are not necessarily the most organised. Truly organised individuals prioritise the most important issues, rather than doing things like putting spices in alphabetical order.

There are also plenty of more obvious clues about the resident’s personality, such as the type of books and magazines they read. Do they like History? Art? Sport? Celebrity biographies or cooking? Photos on the wall will tell you whether they have family and their context will give you further hints as to what type of family they are. Are they sporty or adventurous? Cultural or fun loving? What can also be very revealing are the priorities given to different objects and areas – what is at the centre of the mantelpiece? How much space is devoted to particular hobbies or interests? Developers use this psychology in reverse, filling their show homes with aspirational objects, such as champagne in the fridge, luxury cosmetics in the bathroom and even filling wardrobes with expensive clothes.

And each room tells its own story. In the kitchen, is there enough seating at the table for a dinner party? If not, the owner may be more of an introvert than an extrovert. Even the type of coffee you find in the cupboard can tell you something. According to research, procrastinators have instant coffee, black coffee drinkers are more matter of fact and latte drinkers are people pleasers.

Moving on to the sitting room – like the kitchen/dining area, it is a public space, so it is where your décor puts on its public face, ie it’s what you want your visitors to see. Your wall colour choices, although they can be very affected by fashion, can also provide lots of clues. In very basic terms – red is for passion, orange for stability and warmth, green for calm, blue for intellect, yellow for energy. And black? Well, it’s probably best to make your excuses as quickly as you can…but, before you do, you should check out the cushions on the sofa – psychologists say stripy ones are the choice of a confident person, polka dots are preferred by the more fun types and animal prints are often chosen by creative people. And what about the paintings on the walls? These reflect the interests of the owner. So are they fun? Dark and moody? Abstract and interesting? Expensive statement pieces or Ikea standard issue?

The bedroom is our most intimate room and its décor reflects our more private desires. So is the bedroom romantic? Passionate red? Or maybe it’s a haven of soothing neutrals away from the hustle of everyday life. It is claimed that people who use lots of grey in the bedroom have half the intimacy as those who use purple. Photos carry even more significance here, because only the more personal ones are invited in. So who is important? Partners and children? If there are pictures of the owners themselves it is likely they are under 35. What about the mirrors? Are there lots of them to satisfy someone’s vanity? And the bed? There are some very obvious clues as to whether the bed is designed for passion or comfort, but perhaps a more subtle reveal is that those that make their beds in the morning are reportedly happier. A survey of 68,000 people by hunch.com found that 71% of bed makers considered themselves to be happy, whereas 62% of those who didn’t admitted to being unhappy!

So, next time you’re able to visit someone else’s house, try playing Sherlock Homes and see what you can deduce. Or you could check yourself out instead, using one of these fun home psychiatric tests listed below.

Oh, and one last thing, we didn’t bring area into it because we might be accused of bias if we claimed people who live in Acton tend to have very good taste!

There are a number of key considerations before starting a project of this kind. The first is – what do you actually want to do with the space? Is it for entertaining, relaxing or cooking? Formal or informal? The second is the nature of the space. How big is it? Is it private, overlooked, windy or shady? Does it have any great views, or even any bad ones? Then you will need to think about access to the site. If it is restrictive, you may have difficulty introducing larger elements to your new garden, so plan accordingly and, if your garden is in a conservation area you may need permission before making certain changes.

The next step is the design process. Smaller gardens need structure. Don’t be afraid of mixing materials like stone and wood, tiles and metals. Their junctions will create plenty of visual interest and, as an added benefit, it will look good, whatever the weather conditions. Wood is great, for example, when wet, whereas sandstone looks at its best in the sunshine. Some kind of focal point is another key element in small garden design. It could be something as simple as a really beautiful tree, a water feature, or perhaps just the clever framing of a special view.

When it comes to the planting, it is very important to tailor the scheme to suit your experience. It is no good buying expensive and delicate plants if you’ve never done much gardening. Instead, you should look at using younger or more robust ones, such as miniature roses or perennial varieties of geraniums, even annuals – pansies, marigolds, petunias and zinias, which can provide instant impact in smaller spaces. And, if you want the garden to look good all year round, buy plenty of architectural, evergreen plants. My favourites are Torbay palms. Every garden is different, though. Some have more shade than others and roof terraces tend to be somewhat exposed. In a typical, shady courtyard, try using woodland species, such as ferns and acers, as well as hostas and shiny leaved plants to reflect the light (try Fatsia Japonica).

Lighting should also be an integral part of the design. With today’s low voltage lighting, you can light up  the whole garden like any other room in the house, enabling it to be used by day or night. What’s more, courtyard gardens and roof terraces provide plenty of scope for dramatic lighting. Structured plants create fantastic plays of light and shade when uplit and the geometry of architectural elements can also be emphasised by a clever lighting scheme.

If your garden is heavily overlooked and you want some privacy, use an arbour as a screening device. And, when planning a roof garden, raise the seating areas so you will be able to see the views over the handrails, or make them out of glass so you can see through them. One final thing, keep your neighbours informed about your plans. Any areas of potential friction can be smoothed out considerably by simply letting them know what you intend to do.

For anyone living in or near Acton London, there are a number of local nurseries where you can buy your plants:

Wheelers of London or W6 Garden Centre

Focus on the Front

First impressions count for a lot. While the inside of your home may look on-point, if the front of your home is in a poor state, then it’s going to have an impact on both the value of the home and how many people are interested in the property. Many people decide to view a home based on what they see from the outside, so it’s worth thinking about what message they’re getting. Improving your kerb appeal is relatively straightforward — think adding plants, painting your front door, things like — yet can have a hugely positive impact. 

Increase the Usable Space

The decoration of your home will have an impact on what your viewers think of your home, but it’s not everything. What buyers really want is usable space, so it’s recommended to look at ways to increase this aspect of your property. If you can convert your loft into another bedroom, or add a conservatory, then you’ll find that the value jumps by a significant margin. There is, of course, a cost to doing either of these things, but that cost and more will come back to you once your house is on the market. 

A Quick Refresh

While you’re going about your daily business, you’re probably not paying too much attention to the look of your home. But someone who’s seeing it for the first time will view it with fresh eyes, so it’s really important that they do not see a property that’s dated. A quick refresh can help to make your home feel more new and modern. So what can you do? Simple things, such as giving the walls a fresh lick of paint and getting rid of any old and dated furniture can make a big difference.

Improve The Key Rooms

People are buying the whole property when they buy a house, but they’ll make the decision to make the purchase based on just a few key details. That’s why it’s important to focus your energy on improving the key rooms of the house, such as the kitchen, bathroom, and master bedroom. People will put a lot more stock in those areas of the property than they will, say, the laundry room or downstairs toilet. So if you only have limited amounts of time or money to spend, invest in these parts of your house — you’ll notice an increase in value and interest.