A recent survey of 2,000 Brits has revealed that Londoners could be missing out on the benefits of spending time outside, in research conducted by interiors retailer Heal’s, which explored the impact of utilising a property’s outside space.

It was found that properties in the London region were the least likely to have access to their own green space, despite residents ranking themselves as the second most confident gardeners behind the Midlands. When looking to maximise the outdoor space that they do have, half of respondents in the region felt that they wouldn’t know where to start, and lacked the confidence, knowledge and help to do so.

However, the research found that spending time outside has a profound impact on people’s mental health, with 42% of people across the UK reporting that they use this part of the home to improve their mood. A fifth are going outside to spend less time on their screens, while 27% are looking to connect with nature.

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Commenting on the findings, Heal’s buying director, Sabina Miller, said: “At Heal’s, we really believe that you should fill rooms with pieces that you love in order to maximise their potential, and exteriors are no exception.

“Time spent scrolling on our phones or watching the TV can become overwhelming, so as we look ahead to warmer summer months, this is the perfect time to think about how you can make the most of your outdoor space – no matter how big or small – to escape the noise and spend more time connecting with nature.”

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Highlighting the value Londoners place on having access to an outdoor space, more than a third said that they believe the state of their home’s exterior is more important than indoors, while 3 in 4 believed that spending time outside had a positive impact on their mental health.

Sabina continues: “A few simple updates can transform an empty concrete space into an inviting al fresco sanctuary, whether you substitute the harsh glare of spotlights with portable table lamps and strings of festoon lighting, or add texture, depth and personality with an outdoor rug and brightly coloured planters. With a quarter of London properties having a balcony or roof terrace we’re encouraging urban residents to get creative with their al fresco settings and reap the benefits this summer.”