We’ve been lucky to have some great weather weekends lately, something that’s made everyone want to get out in their gardens and enjoy the sun. Garden design is a big home trend this year, and if you’re feeling inspired by Instagram and Pinterest, you’ll want to get started on turning your own garden into a little piece of paradise.
But when you start looking up landscaping costs, you might feel a bit disheartened – they’re not the prices you want to see when money’s tight. Is it possible to transform your garden when you’re on a budget? Here are some ideas to show you how it’s done.
Spruce up your lawn
The appearance of your lawn can make a big difference to the overall look and feel of your garden. A garden that’s looking a bit worse for wear or has some dead areas looks unkempt and scruffy, but it can be an easy fix to do something about it. Some of the ways you can repair your lawn include watering it, seeding it and getting rid of any weeds that might also have made their home on your lawn. Give it a good trim and you’ll soon find that you have a lawn that does your home justice.
Work on your fence
Is your fence looking its best these days? Your fence can deteriorate over time, especially after particularly harsh weather. You could give your fence a makeover by giving it a fresh coat of paint, and fixing any areas that might need some repair. Greys are a particularly popular colour for fences at the moment, so you should find plenty of ‘grey fence inspiration’ to give you some ideas.
You can also make a decorative feature of your fence. Adding a bit of gravel around the bottom can be a nice way to create a feature, or you can consider concrete gravel boards as a way to add some decoration, while also protecting your fence. Small changes will lift your garden in total to give you a much neater looking garden.
Build your own decking area
Decking is a very popular garden feature. You can find all sorts of decking inspiration online to give you some ideas of what can be achieved with different sized gardens. Bringing in someone to install your decking can be expensive, but it’s much cheaper if you do it yourself – you just need to cover the cost of the materials. You can even buy ready-made decking kits that are cut to the size and shape you need to make your decking much easier to install.
Plant some flowers
If your garden is looking a bit bare, some flowers will soon add some life and colour. You can create some beautiful looks in your garden that will be perfect for summer. Even if you don’t have any flower beds, you could always add some potted flowers around the garden or seating area to bring a bit of warmth. Just remember, if you are going to plant flowers, you need to be prepared to look after them. They’ll need regular watering over the summer months, especially if we have some great weather. Start off with some smaller, low-maintenance flowers to see how you get on, you can always add more at a later stage.
Add some lights
Is there anything better than relaxing in your garden and then staying there into the evening? It can feel like you’re on holiday! It’s great to be able to get a lot of use out of your garden, but you’ll need to make sure that it’s designed for using at night too. You can do some wonderful things with garden lighting, from festoon lights to solar-powered lanterns that will create an amazing atmosphere ready for some evening entertaining. Fire pits are another item worth looking at, as they’ll provide warmth while also adding some light. Garden lighting is extremely affordable, so keep an eye out next time you’re in Home Bargains or your local supermarket for some great bargains on garden lights.
Look out for affordable garden furniture
There’s a lot of chic, stylish garden furniture available at the moment. Rattan furniture is very popular, and adds a bit of Mediterranean style to your outdoor space. From cosy corner sofas to luxury dining sets, you’ll be spoiled for choice with the range that’s out there. It’s easy to get disheartened though when you see the prices – some sets can be anything from £500 up to £2000! But it’s ok, because there are some affordable options out there for you, and plenty of shops do summer sales where you can get some excellent savings. You should also take a look at Gumtree and eBay as many people end up selling off their garden furniture, with some good-as-new bargains to be found! Just remember to buy some weatherproof covers to help your garden furniture last longer.
Build a pergola
Pergolas are a beautiful feature to add to your garden. They can be a very chic and affordable upgrade that can give you shelter, while also giving you some structure to your garden. The good news is that you can build your own pergola quite easily with a plan and the right materials, helping you save a bit of money and giving you a much more custom result. It might take a bit of work to put together, but get some family and friends over to help one morning, and you could be spending the afternoon enjoying your space in the sun!
Your garden should be special – it’s your own private outdoor space, after all. From adding a bit of style to making your garden more family-friendly, there are different things you can do to make it over on a budget. What would you like your garden to look like? Start thinking of some ideas and look out for some affordable ways to make it happen.
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