NOT everybody shares the same taste when it comes to garden aesthetic – some people prefer lush green lawns, others like easy-to-maintain patio.
The endless design possibilities are what makes the world of gardening so interesting.
However, some people aren’t afraid to voice their opinions when they see a garden renovation they don’t like.
And one proud homeowner quickly realised this after her patio makeover was harshly slated online.
The woman posted her jaw-dropping transformation on TikTok, from her account @vjones78, captioning it: “Cannot wait for summer 2025!”
The video showed a dramatic before and after of her garden makeover, which left viewers reeling.
The first clip showed a typical British garden, with a long green lawn and pretty paving slabs running through it.
There was plenty of foliage around and neatly decorated flower beds filled up with planters.
The following clip showed the results of her huge overhaul – and the entire garden had been paved over by grey slabs.
Wooden container-style sheds took up most of the space, which the poster said she planned to use as a home office and bar.
Not a patch of lawn had been left behind.
In fact, the only sign of nature were a few lonely plant pots dotted around.
The risks
Paving experts Minster Paving say there are a few risks to consider when having your garden done up.
Their website says: “Gardens prevent flooding by their very nature, as grass and soil soaks up water.
“If an area is paved, rain and wastewater will still follow the route of least resistance and cause paving water run off.
“This can lead to your garden drainage systems becoming overwhelmed and a flooded area around your property.”
They also note the impact this can have on wildlife.
Negative feedback
Viewers in the comments savaged the renovation, likening it to a Covid testing site.
One person quipped: “I think the garden would look nicer with another shed and a bit more concrete if you could find space for it between your sheds and concrete.”
Another person said “I genuinely recoiled in horror.”
Questioning the caption, one viewer wrote: “Excited for summer, why? You’re going from one building to another?”
Another person sarcastically commented: “Think I spotted some green in the new garden – if you removed it you could probably fit a few more paving slabs in.”
While somebody else said: “This is so bad I actually have to comment. I know we shouldn’t say anything if you can’t say anything nice, but what have you done?”
Despairing for nature, one person wrote: “And people wonder why wildlife is struggling to survive.”
While someone else felt it looked familiar: “It went from a garden to looking like a Covid testing site in a car park.”
Another person gasped: “This should be illegal.”
Garden features that add the most value to a house
A well-kept garden can add anywhere between 5-20% to the value of a property.
Sellhousefast.uk carried out a study and consulted 36 estate agents, garden designers and property professionals from across the UK.
And the experts revealed the garden feature which adds the most value to a property is a shed.
- Shed – 82%
- Patio or paving – 76%
- Secure fencing, walls or gates – 72%
- Outdoor lighting – 66%
- Sturdy decking – 62%
- Water features eg. fountain or pond – 58%
- Modern garden furniture – 54%
- Artificial lawn/grass – 40%
