People aged 25 to 34 spend nearly twice as much on their outdoor spaces as the average UK homeowner, according to new research.
Lloyds Bank Insurance's bi-annual Britain at Home report, which looks at consumers' home and garden spending priorities, found that that age group spent an average of £647 on their outdoor spaces in the past year, whereas the average UK outlay is £366.

For 29%, this expenditure is driven by a love of gardening, while for 19% the motivation is entertaining guests outside and 14% are aiming to increase their property's value.

The report also revealed that 19% of this younger generation now owns a greenhouse and that 29% have invested in new trees, plants and flowers for their gardens in the past year.

The study of 2,000 UK homeowners found that money is not just being spent on horticultural items either, with the most popular accessories for the garden now including outdoor furniture, owned by 81% of British homeowners, barbecues (49%) and even trampolines (10%).

A little over a third of all homeowners said they are spending more time improving their outdoor spaces, while a third also admitted they are spending more money on doing so than they were five years ago.

Frances Tophill, horticulturist and presenter of ITV's Love Your Garden, commented: "We've witnessed a real return to 'homeliness', with everything from gardening, baking and cookery, to knitting and crafts coming back in style. It's interesting that this trend is growing against the rise of technology and in a post-recessionary climate; there is a sense of holding on to traditional pastimes in an increasingly fast-paced, modern society.

"With the current waiting list to snag an allotment longer than that of any new restaurant, there is no doubt that gardening is growing in popularity among a younger generation and people are enjoying spending more time outside."