This hot, dry summer (and the promise of more extreme weather in the years to come) has had me thinking constantly about the importance of shade over the past few months. And it’s not just me following this line of thinking either, as estate agents say that shade is becoming a more desired quality for buyers, too – and that an awning might just be the thing that helps you sell your home in 2027.

I’ll preface by saying that while an awning won’t make your home more valuable per se, it is a garden shade idea that will improve your home’s appeal to buyers and even help you sell it.

While it’s far too soon to say exactly what effect a desire for shade will have on the housing market just yet, I’ve spoken to multiple estate agents and experts who have all told me the same thing – features such as awnings are only becoming more and more desirable.

Why buyers are seeking shade:

In July, the Met Office reported in the latest edition of the State of the UK Climate report that extreme weather, such as the heatwaves we’ve experienced this summer, would become increasingly common in the UK. And it is this promise of hotter summers that has already impacted our home buying preferences, according to estate agents.

‘After the recent run of hot summers, buyers are asking questions about how a property handles heat that they simply did not ask five years ago. A south-facing garden used to be an unambiguous positive. Now buyers are asking about shade, about what the patio is like in the afternoon and whether the house stays cool. Shade-creating features are moving from a nice-to-have to a genuine consideration for a growing number of buyers,’ comments Katie Cromwell, founder and director of Swansea-based estate agents No. 86 Estate Agency.

Given that the majority of this year’s garden trends have revolved around climate-resilient gardens and water harvesting, it is arguably a little unsurprising that sun sails, pergolas and awnings have also increased in popularity.

‘An awning is unlikely to add a fixed percentage to a property’s value in the same way that an extra bedroom or a high-quality extension might. However, it can certainly add to a home’s appeal and help it stand out when it comes to selling. A well-designed awning or pergola can make a garden, terrace or patio feel like a genuine extension of the living space, while also providing practical shade, reflecting heat before it reaches windows and potentially reducing indoor temperature by five to ten degrees Celsius This makes the property an overall more comfortable place to be during periods of hot weather,’ Luke Saywell, partner at Nottinghamshire family estate agents Gascoines said.

‘Ultimately, I think shade will become a more recognised quality in UK homes. As summers become hotter, buyers are likely to think increasingly about not just how warm and energy-efficient a property is in winter, but how comfortable it will be in summer. Awnings and pergolas are relatively simple ways of improving that balance, while also making gardens and outdoor spaces more usable.’

Will an awnining increase the value of your home?

While an awning or a well-thought-out pergola idea can make your home more attractive to potential buyers, it is far too soon to see any conclusive data to prove it will boost your home’s value as well. In fact, some experts argue that a general garden makeover won’t make much of a difference to your home’s value anyway.

‘According to Go.Compare’s home renovation calculator, on average, a garden makeover only increases property value by an estimated 1%. They cost £9,500 and add just £2,850 in value, resulting in an average loss of £6,650,’ states Nathan Blackler, expert at Go.Compare home insurance.

‘Features such as pergolas and awnings are unlikely to hugely increase a property’s value on their own, but with summers getting hotter, many homeowners are looking for ways to make their gardens more comfortable during prolonged periods of high temperatures.

‘Therefore, buyers are increasingly looking for homes that offer usable outdoor living areas, and shade can form an important part of that, particularly during warmer weather as we look to spend more time outside safely. They’re already a popular sight in many parts of Europe, where providing shade from the sun has long been a practical consideration, and we could see more homeowners investing in similar solutions here.’

So while an awning won’t exactly put extra zeros on your home’s value, it is becoming a more sought-after feature. Plus, an awning can make your garden a more comfortable place for you, as well as appealing to buyers.

‘As UK summers become more reliably warm and buyers factor thermal comfort into property decisions, the features that manage heat are going to feel increasingly necessary rather than optional. We are at the early stages of a genuine shift in how buyers think about sun exposure and shade,’ Katie concludes.

Whether you’re looking to sell your home or simply want to make it better-suited to your needs, an awning is a step in the right direction. If hotter summers are set to be the new normal, it is a smart idea to invest in quality shade solutions now.

For the past week (if not two), everywhere I turn people have been talking about summer being over and how they can’t wait for the lower temperatures and the cosiness of autumn. While I hadn’t been quite convinced myself, it turns out all that I needed was a little rain and the restock of The White Company’s Autumn candle, a cult favourite limited-edition scent.

If you’re looking for the best scented candle for the autumn season, then look no further. At the same time, don’t wait around to snap one up, as the Autumn range famously sells out fast. I’m a big fan of the £30 Autumn signature candle, but the reed diffuser is also just as (if not more) popular, and there is a home spray, an essential oil, a botanical candle and a large candle also available.

All of them are scented with the best home fragrance for this transitional period between summer and autumn as it’s a little sweet, a little fruity yet a little warm. It blends notes of pear, quince, apricot, amber and musk, inspired by picking fruit in an orchard on an autumn afternoon in dappled sunlight. How idyllic does that sound?!

More autumnal scents from The White Company

Most brands are currently dropping their autumn collections, The White Company included. So it’s not just the Autumn home fragrance range that just landed but also autumn-ready home decor, as well as a few more of the best autumn scented candles and home fragrance.

Glen Isla

The Glen Isla luxury 2 wick candle is a brand new launch this year that was just released alongside a full Glen Isla home fragrance range. It comes in a bigger 280g size with an approximate 41-hour burn time compared to the Autumn signature candle and its 210g size and 40-hour burn time which is also reflected in its slightly higher £40 price point.

Named after the scenic valley in the Scottish Grampian Mountains – which would make for a great setting to an autumnal getaway, in my opinion – Glen Isla is a scent ideal for the colder days of autumn as it’s a very warm, earthy, cosy and comforting fragrance. It combines notes of leather, sandalwood, cedarwood and myrrh.

Fireside

Similarly to the Autumn candle, Fireside is a returning classic which The White Company brings back for the autumn season year after year. Selling for £30, The Fireside luxury signature candle takes it even a step further than Glen Isla with the level of cosiness it evokes. As the name suggests, the scent draws inspiration from sitting by a log fire on a cold day, all snuggled up. It mixes notes of smoky woods, birch, patchouli, amber and clove leaf and vanilla for a bit of spice and sweetness.

And just like with most scented candles from The White Company, Fireside, too, is a part of a wider home fragrance range with a diffuser, a room spray and an essential oil also available in this scent.

So long, summer! Hello, cosy season!