LANDSCAPING
THE FUTURE IS LOOKING BRIGHTER
Landscaping aggregates seem to be moving away from the grey and practical, according to Long Rake Spar. Oliver Stanley learns more.
A
ggregates supplier Long Rake Spar has observed a gradual shift towards more colourful stone within the domestic market,
highlighting a shift in landscaping towards brighter, bolder and more premium products. Head of marketing, Tammy Tidmarsh, says: “There has been a definite shift towards lighter, warmer and more natural-looking aggregates. Customers are increasingly looking for warmer creams, buffs, whites and more nuanced blends that create a brighter, more inviting outdoor space.
“Greys dominated landscaping for a long time, particularly with the popularity of grey paving, but tastes are beginning to soften. I think this also reflects a broader change in how people are approaching garden design. “The garden is increasingly being treated as an extension of the home, so consumers are thinking much more about colour palettes, texture and how different materials work together. Lighter aggregates can lift a space, complement planting particularly well and work with the warmer tones now appearing in paving, porcelain and other landscaping products.
38
“There is also more choice available than there once was. Consumers are being exposed to more inspirational garden imagery and are becoming increasingly confident about moving away from the traditional, functional gravel choices towards products selected as a genuine design feature.
“We’re seeing the market trending more towards our premium range. We’re definitely trending more towards them than our commodity products, like slates, for example, which had been popular in the past.”
Paying for premium
The move towards premium products, may seem paradoxical in a difficult market, but according to Tidmarsh, it is the difference in finish that make premium lines worth the higher cost.
She continues: “Although the market remains price-conscious, customers are more considered about what they buy rather than simply choosing the cheapest option. If somebody is investing time and money in improving their garden, they want the finished space to feel distinctive and they are prepared to spend a little more to achieve that.
“Decorative aggregate is particularly interesting in that respect because upgrading to a more premium product can make a significant visual difference to a project without necessarily adding a huge amount to the overall landscaping budget. Consumers can therefore achieve a much more premium- looking finish relatively cost-effectively. When you consider the cost of decorative aggregates in comparison to covering the same area in paving of some description, even premium decorative aggregates are much more cost effective and therefore offer a high-end alternative without prohibitive price points. “Premium aggregates also tend to offer something noticeably different, whether that is colour, shape, texture, consistency or provenance. That gives consumers a clearer reason to trade up. Rather than viewing aggregate simply as a functional material to cover an area, it’s becoming an integral part of the overall garden design.
“For merchants, that shift creates an opportunity too. A stronger premium offer gives customers greater choice, provides a natural route to trade-up and moves the conversation away from price alone towards inspiration, quality and the finished result.”
A trend set in stone?
Having observed the slow rise in form over function in garden landscaping, group sales director Shane McCormick believes these trends are something merchants can expect to see continue into the foreseeable future. “We’ve been watching these trends for years now, but they’ve really taken hold in the market this year. We were seeing a swing towards Mediterranean inspired gardens, I think the searches have increased 25% year on year from 2024, and I think this is why our new Spanish Gold product has gone so well. “A white creamy coloured marble product, we launched it in January this year, and it’s done really well.
“Long Rake Spar has quite a large variety of porcelain, natural stone, and other products within the market, which cover a variety of different colour pallets. People want complimenting colours rather than just slate or Cotswold chipping. There’s definitely more of a desire for the prettier items rather than more standard options.
“I think these trends are here to stay. This sector tends to be quite slow moving, so we see trends which last for years rather than those which change with the seasons. I would expect it to move through well into next year and beyond. There are a few products we have been developing for 2027 which are lighter and explore different colour tones.” BMJ
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net September 2026
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56
