Do you commit one of these faux pas in your outdoor space?Ewan Mowat Deputy Lifestyle, Trends, & Showbiz Editor
15:44, 22 Apr 2026
Brits have chosen their dream gardens, as well as the tackiest features you can have in an outdoor space(Image: Jacky Parker/Getty Images)
The tackiest garden features in the UK have been named – and one controversial ornament has avoided taking top spot. In fact, the much-maligned garden gnome doesn’t even feature in the top three.
Garden building experts Dunster House carried out a survey of 1,000 British homeowners to discover what people in the UK really think about their outdoor spaces – and what their dream garden would actually look like.
As well as picturing their ideal spot, those polled also considered the worst features in modern gardens, from the tragic to the tiresome. One of the big takeaways was that most people prefer the real deal, rather than fake imitations.
The biggest faux pas was found to be plastic plants, with almost half of respondents (49%) seeing them as tacky. This was the worst garden accessory by quite some distance, according to the homeowners surveyed.
Plastic plants were rated as the tackiest thing you can have in your garden(Image: Getty Images)
It was followed by neon signs (41%) in second, with another artificial addition in the form of fake grass rounding out the top three on 39 per cent. Inflatable hot tubs may be great for summer days in the sun, but 38 per cent of Brits aren’t fans.
In fifth spot was the infamous garden gnome. A long-standing but controversial add-on found in many gardens across the UK, the humble gnome was deemed tacky by 37 per cent of those surveyed.
Other faux pas in the top 10 included fake living walls, once again showing people want real features, giant trampolines, and themed décor like beach-style novelty items.
Artificial grass and inflatable hot tubs were also seen as faux pas for a British garden(Image: John Keeble/Getty Images)
With artificial items being so reviled by Brits, it’s no surprise that natural garden additions featured heavily in the list of what Brits want in their dream outdoor space.
Colourful flower beds with seasonal planting came out on top at 40 per cent, while outdoor lighting (39%) and a patio (36%) were also highly sought-after. While Brits want nice flowers, 36 per cent also wanted a low-maintenance design – which could be why so many people turn to artificial features.
The other inclusion in the top five for a dream garden was total privacy from nosey neighbours (36%) – and privacy was also seen as the single most important attribute wanted from an outdoor space.
More than half (54%) of homeowners rated it very important, ahead of things like wildlife friendliness, visual design, and year-round usability.
The controversial garden gnome didn’t make the top three(Image: Getty Images)
Christopher Murphy, founder of Dunster House, said: “Gardens are incredibly personal spaces, and what one person loves, another might see as completely over the top.
“In recent years, outdoor spaces have become a true extension of the home, with homeowners increasingly using them to reflect their style and personality. While trend-led features like artificial grass or novelty décor might not always age well, that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re the wrong choice.
“For many, it’s about creating a space they can enjoy right now. If property value is a concern when making changes to a garden, it’s worth remembering that most additions are unlikely to have a significant impact unless they are difficult or expensive to change.
“Smaller or easily removable features are unlikely to deter buyers, but more permanent changes, such as artificial lawns, may require additional time and cost to reverse, which could influence a sale.”
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