Garden aspect, privacy and outdoor space: the complete guide to choosing the best plot position

When we chat to potential Brookworth homeowners, outdoor space is often a hot topic. Zoopla research shows that 80% of buyers consider a garden an ‘important’ or ‘very important’ factor in property choice, while properties with larger gardens typically command a higher sale price.

Across our developments, we create gardens with the same care and consideration we apply to architecture, materials, and interior design. Going beyond garden size, new homes from Brookworth feature outdoor areas that are not only spacious, but also packed with smart design choices to suit every preference.

1. Finding the best garden aspect for you

In terms of outdoor space, finding the best plot position in a new build is often centred on garden aspects. The direction your garden faces will influence how much sunlight you get, when you get it, and the types of day-to-day use your garden is best suited for. And with 68% of UK homeowners reporting that garden appeal intensifies in the summer months, it’s clear that the way your space interacts with the sun is a significant factor.

South-facing gardens: the obvious choice for ample sunlight

South-facing gardens are by far the most desirable garden aspect for a new build home, offering lots of direct sunlight throughout the day. That makes them ideal for outdoor entertaining, lounging in the summer sun, and growing plants that require a great deal of light.

However, these directly-lit areas can often become very hot and intense during heatwaves and the highest UK temperatures. In this sense, some homeowners may prefer a more balanced warmth throughout the day.

North-facing gardens: a cooler time in the shade

At the other extreme, north-facing gardens tend to have a bad reputation as dark, cold spots where it’s harder to maintain beautiful landscaping and a healthy lawn. In truth, the reality is a little more balanced.

While north-facing gardens are undoubtedly cooler than their south-facing counterparts, what you lose in garden sunlight, you get back in natural light flooding through the front of your home. This can mean warmer living areas and a more enjoyable experience before you even step outside.

West-facing gardens: ideal for afternoon get-togethers

West-facing gardens tend to get the most sun in the afternoon and evening, making them perfect for outdoor entertaining later in the day.

With a west-facing aspect, you’ll get more light and warmth near the back of your home during the evening, precisely where you’ll want to be for your next barbecue or al-fresco supper.

East-facing gardens: perfect for early risers

Receiving direct light first thing in the morning, an east-facing garden makes morning coffee on your patio an unforgettable experience.

For gardeners, an east-facing garden also offers the advantage of less dew and moisture in the early morning, as well as optimal conditions for plants that thrive on a mix of sunshine and shade.

2. Considering privacy and boundaries

However you like to spend your time in your garden, privacy and boundaries are a vital part of your decision-making process. 

In part, privacy is naturally interlinked with the size and type of property you purchase. At Brookworth Homes, our detached and semi-detached properties are all designed to maximise privacy, while more compact developments or terraced properties will naturally have more issues with being overlooked. Across our developments, the properties with the most spacious gardens and distance from neighbouring properties tend to be our corner plots.

When it comes to boundary treatments, we apply the same care and consideration you would expect from our interior design teams, with fencing designed to provide private space while working seamlessly with the surrounding architecture.

3. Planning for impressive landscape and garden design

Landscape design is often incredibly personal. Your new build garden is a place to express your character and personality in much the same way as your interior décor. To support this, Brookworth developments are all designed to offer a clean, simple foundation for your personal touches.

Typically, a Brookworth garden will include:

• Full-length patios using premium materials like Raj Blend honed sandstone

• High quality topsoil to promote healthy plant and flower growth

• Lush green turf that’s hardy and easy to care for

We also run seasonal events to showcase garden landscaping from our trusted local partners and can recommend a garden design team as necessary.

4. Making your garden work alongside your home

Another important consideration in choosing the ideal plot and perfect garden is how your outdoor space works in context. An effective garden is more than just an enclosed patch of grass. It’s a seamless extension of your home and a valuable ‘other room’ to enjoy.

Interior design to blur the line between inside and outside

Especially when rear outdoor space is limited, large patio doors can help to merge your indoor space and everything the garden has to offer. This is something we see in get-togethers like barbecues, where some people might be catching the last of the evening sunlight, while others gather indoors.

Our developments use premium bifold doors, which can be opened fully to essentially remove the barrier between your indoor space and garden – ideal for summer entertaining. As an added benefit, these large glazed doors also maximise natural light into your space throughout the day.

Practical parking, garages and EV chargers

The way you access your garden can also be important, not just for entertaining, but also practicalities like moving in bags of soil or retrieving your gardening equipment from the garage. 

That’s why we prioritise convenience and diligently place parking, garages, and EV chargers to avoid becoming obstacles to easy garden access. So your garden is as functional is it is beautiful, and making the most of it feels relaxed and convenient.

Giving you more choice in your garden

A key part of the Brookworth Difference is our commitment to putting our residents first, designing every aspect of our homes around their needs. That’s an idea that applies right across our developments, with properties strategically located to offer a wider range of garden sizes and aspects.

Some outdoor highlights from across our developments include:

The Montpelier at Plot 39, Skylarks, Brighton 

One of Skylark’s most distinguished homes, The Montpelier is an ultra-luxury four-bed property in the highly-desirable village of Rottingdean, near Brighton.

With a unique position tucked away in a corner of Skylarks, The Montpelier’s garden at Plot 39 is especially spacious, creating a stunning outdoor environment that flows naturally from the well-appointed dining room. Plot 39 also includes a 14.1 metre squared garden room alongside a compact storage area - a tranquil space that’s ideal for entertaining or relaxation.

The Nicolson at Plot 18, Gallica, Sissinghurst

A place to enjoy a rural lifestyle without compromising on connectivity, Gallica at Sissinghurst was developed with a special focus on the great outdoors.

At the end of a quiet cul-de-sac, The Nicolson at Plot 18 offers a larger, wider garden than its neighbours, approaching 399 meters squared. This is large enough to create distinct zones throughout your garden, from the elegant Indian sandstone patio to an ample lawn area.

Rosalind Place at Plot 9, Braeburns, Welford on Avon

A coveted 2-bed chalet bungalow that’s part of our exclusive development in Welford on Avon, Rosalind Place features both a spacious garden to the rear and a lawned front garden that makes an incredible first impression.

One of just two chalet bungalows at Braeburns, Rosalind Place typifies our approach to design: removing the barriers between you and the surrounding countryside and combining stylish, premium architecture with equally as important outdoor space. 

Speak to our team about your perfect garden

Whether you value the sunlight of a south-facing garden new build, want to create a space for evening entertaining, or simply want to minimise your maintenance, we’ll help you explore your options and find the perfect plot for you.

Explore our developments to compare plots and garden sizes, or get in touch with our experienced sales teams for more help.