Getting outside during or after a hard day is one guaranteed way to lift your mood.
It’s not just an old wives’ tale — nature has immediate positive effects on physical and mental health, helping to reduce stress and anxiety and improve mood. This makes green spaces and communal gardens invaluable in multifamily properties, improving tenants’ quality of life and boosting retention rates while increasing property appeal and value.
Below, we take a look at the advantages of having green areas in your property and share some ideas for creating the perfect oasis of calm and enjoyment for your tenants.
Quick note before we get into the amenity details: "garden apartment" gets used two different ways, so it's worth sorting out up front. When people say community garden apartments, they usually mean apartments that come with a shared or community garden as an amenity. When they say garden-style or garden-level apartments, they're describing a building layout or a specific unit type, not a gardening perk. This page covers both, so you'll find clear definitions first and then the amenity guidance further down.
The term covers a few related ideas, and the right one depends on context. Here's what each phrase means in common industry use.
So what is a garden apartment? In its broadest sense, a garden apartment is a residential unit connected to garden space or greenery, whether that's a private ground-floor patch, a shared community plot, or landscaped grounds around the building. When someone asks what is a garden apt, they're usually pointing at one of two things: a unit with direct garden access, or a low-rise complex surrounded by lawns and plantings. The garden apartment meaning shifts with the listing, so it's always worth checking whether the label refers to an amenity or a layout.
A garden-style apartment describes a layout rather than a single unit. Garden style apartments are typically found in low-rise buildings, usually two to three stories, spread horizontally across a site with landscaped grounds, courtyards, and open walkways between buildings. So what are garden style apartments in practice? Think of a suburban complex where several short buildings share lawns, trees, and parking rather than one tall tower. A garden style apartment building rarely has elevators, and residents often enter their units from outside instead of through a shared interior corridor. Garden style multifamily is one of the most common formats in U.S. suburban rental housing, which is part of why the garden style apartments meaning trips people up: it's about the property's shape, not a garden you tend.
A garden unit sits at the lowest level of a building, usually on the ground floor or partially below grade, with its own access to a yard, patio, or garden area. So what is a garden unit? It's the unit closest to the ground, often with windows near or slightly below street level. A garden flat is the same idea, more common in British usage, describing a ground-floor or lower-ground unit with garden access. As for what garden level means: garden level refers to a floor that's partly below grade, where the windows sit low and part of the wall is underground. These units trade some natural light and view for direct outdoor access and, often, a lower rent.
Both formats have real trade-offs. Here's a grounded look at each side.
Pros:
Cons:
Property managers can address several of these directly. For example, indoor climate monitoring that tracks temperature, humidity, and mold risk helps catch moisture problems in ground-level units before they turn into damage or complaints.
For operators running garden-style multifamily buildings, the community garden amenity fits the format naturally. These properties already have the landscaped grounds and shared outdoor space that a community garden needs, and residents drawn to low-rise, ground-connected living tend to value hands-on outdoor space. Adding a shared garden gives that layout a practical use, supports resident retention, and makes the grounds you're already maintaining work harder for you.
Adding a community garden or outdoor space can transform your multifamily property in numerous ways and help you:
An attractive, well-kept outdoor space offers tenants a place to relax and unwind, giving them a reason to stay in the property rather than look for another home. Tenants who feel connected to their living environment are more likely to renew their lease, saving you from costly turnover.
Community gardens and well-maintained outdoor areas are often a unique selling point that helps your property stand out, particularly in busy urban settings. Prospective tenants looking for a pleasant, eco-friendly space are drawn to properties that offer well-designed outdoor amenities.
Shared spaces encourage social interaction, creating opportunities for residents to connect and build friendships. These community bonds can enhance the living experience and build a sense of neighborhood within your property, increasing tenant well-being and decreasing turnover.
Tenants are increasingly willing to pay a premium for eco-friendly, community-focused living spaces that improve their quality of life. Having desirable outdoor amenities often justifies slightly higher rental rates.
There are several features and amenities to make your green spaces more attractive, eco-friendly, and functional. A few to consider include:
With many possible features to consider and pros and cons to weigh up, designing a welcoming and sustainable outdoor area for your multifamily building may feel daunting.
To help you make the process less intimidating, follow the steps below:
As with any other project with multiple moving parts, you need a clear roadmap from vision to completion. A well-planned timeline and budget will help the project stay on track and within your financial limits. Be sure to account for installation and future maintenance costs.
Analyze your budget and timeframes and select contractors with experience in outdoor space projects for multifamily settings. Clear communication of the project’s scope, timeline, and expectations helps prevent disruptions to residents and keeps things running smoothly.
Looking after a green space can be time-consuming, so opt for native plants that thrive in your area’s climate. These require less water, fertilizer, and care, making them ideal for a low-maintenance, sustainable garden.
LED or solar-powered lights can extend the use of outdoor spaces into the evening without spiking utility costs. Thoughtfully placed lighting also creates a cozy and inviting atmosphere.
Permeable paving is attractive and helps manage stormwater, reducing the risk of flooding and protecting the environment.
Recycled materials bring character to the space while reinforcing your commitment to sustainability. For example, pick furnishings such as benches, raised beds, or decorative features made from repurposed wood or metal.
Provide accessible recycling and waste bins and clearly signal what goes in each bin to make it easy for residents to keep the area clean. This small step promotes a well-maintained, organized space.
Adding birdhouses or feeders brings nature closer to residents, creating a peaceful and engaging environment that enhances the garden experience. Make sure you adequately manage these features to prevent health hazards for animals and residents.
Set aside time to research resilient plants that stay lush with minimal intervention and ideally require less water to thrive. This will help you conserve water and reduce maintenance needs and costs while ensuring the space looks fresh all year round.
Invest in durable, eco-friendly outdoor furniture that can handle the elements. Look for pieces made from recycled or sustainably sourced materials and ensure they will work well in your specific climate and property.
Once the project is complete, regularly inspect the space for any issues and plan for routine maintenance to keep it safe, clean, and appealing.
💡 Pro tip: Once your outdoor area is up and running, let tenants know the rules and hours of use so they can help look after the space and equipment.
While green spaces can mean a significant investment in time and money, they bring many long-term benefits to your multifamily property. From fostering a sense of connection to enhancing property appeal, outdoor spaces improve the tenant experience, contribute to retention, and increase property value.
With thoughtful planning, eco-friendly amenities, and sustainable design choices, you can transform your property’s outdoor space into a thriving, beautiful area that tenants enjoy and is beneficial for both your portfolio and the planet.
Want to discover more ways to keep your multifamily property more sustainable? Learn how Minut can help.
A garden apartment is a unit tied to garden space or greenery. Depending on the listing, that means a unit with private or shared garden access, or a home in a low-rise, landscaped complex. Check the context to see whether it's describing an amenity or a building layout.
It has two common meanings. In amenity terms, it's an apartment with access to a garden, sometimes a shared community garden. In layout terms, it points to garden-style or garden-level housing. The word "garden" signals a connection to outdoor or green space.
Garden level refers to a floor that sits partly below grade. The windows are low, near or slightly under street level, and part of the wall is underground. These units usually get less light and view but often come with direct outdoor access and a lower rent.
A garden unit is the lowest unit in a building, typically on the ground floor or partially below grade, with its own access to a yard, patio, or garden. It's the same idea as a garden flat, a term more common in British usage.
A garden flat is a ground-floor or lower-ground unit with access to a garden or yard. The term is used mainly in the UK and matches what U.S. listings call a garden unit or garden-level apartment.
