your all-in-one guide to an affordable garden makeover.
Once summer ends and garden gatherings become a distant memory, it can be easy to neglect our outdoor spaces. Dust gathers, clutter builds up and your lawn starts to look like a shadow of its former, manicured self. The outdoor living season seems to always be just around the corner, bringing with it those familiar feelings of anxiety — how can you prepare your garden space in time, and how much is it going to cost?
Our budget garden ideas are the perfect solution to all your outdoor styling troubles. From giving your space the ultimate spruce to upcycling plant pots and choosing affordable outdoor decor — we’re bringing you top tips for transforming your garden without having to break the bank.
The first (and arguably most important) step in any budget garden design project is to thoroughly clean and organise the space. Start by stepping back and really taking in what you see — what areas need attention first? Do you see broken fence panels? An overgrown or weed-filled lawn? Piles of unsightly clutter? Performing a deep clean is one of the most affordable garden ideas out there, but will do wonders for breathing new life into your outdoor space and helping you decide on your next move.
Clear up all the clutter you’re willing to part with, separating out anything that might be reused or recycled. Wipe down furniture with a clean, damp cloth, and clean your outdoor cushions and rugs by following the instructions on their care labels. Sweep and power-wash walkways, pull up any visible weeds and trim your lawn’s edges.
Before you know it you’ll have a neat and tidy-looking blank canvas, and you can start planning out the rest of your budget garden ideas.
It’s amazing what a pop of colour and a fresh coat of paint can do for a tired garden space. And with the help of some savvy cost-saving strategies, painting your outdoor living space can become a surprisingly affordable garden design idea. Start by checking if you’ve got any leftover paint still lying around from previous projects, or shop around for free or discounted sample pots. It doesn’t take much paint to refresh fence panels, plant pots or garden furniture pieces, so you don’t need to worry about buying large quantities.
Going for cool neutrals and bright pastel shades will create an uplifting, airy feel in your garden space, while requiring less coats and helping you save on paint costs. If you’d prefer a more dramatic touch, black, warm neutrals and rich jewel tones will make your garden’s bright natural palette pop all the more. Always measure the area before you paint to avoid overspending and ending up with large amounts of leftover paint.
Every outdoor living space needs a cosy seating area, giving you and your guests the perfect place to catch up over coffee or spend an evening under the stars. Quality outdoor sofas and sun loungers can be expensive, so consider buying used furniture or upcycling old pieces. Look for seating made from naturally weather-resistant materials like stone, steel, vinyl and durable wood.
Make sure that any used seating pieces are clean and structurally sound, and spruce them up with exterior paint or a weatherproof coating to create protection against the elements. Once you’ve found some solid seating frames, add some plush outdoor cushions and toasty throw blankets to maximise comfort. Et voila — you’ve executed the perfect affordable garden idea for cosy seating on a budget.
If you’re struggling to find second-hand seating or don’t have the time to upcycle old furniture, hammocks and outdoor floor cushions are far more affordable options that can be easily installed, cleaned and taken with you on the go.
Join forces with family, friends and local gardening enthusiasts by swapping seeds or cuttings to diversify your gardens without having to buy new seeds. Shrubs like azaleas, gardenias and hydrangeas are perfect for taking cuttings from, as they will easily grow to cover larger areas of your garden. Get a head start on the season by propagating plants, vegetables and herbs indoors a few weeks before the final frost of winter.
Planting edible herbs and vegetables is a great budget garden idea that will make your plot even more economical. Peas, cherry tomatoes and leafy greens like lettuce and spinach are affordable options that will grow without much maintenance. While herbs like sage, rosemary, basil and mint can be harvested throughout the growing season.
Outdoor furniture, accessories and planters can be expensive, but a touch of creativity can save you having to buy them at all. Reusing and upcycling items that are already lying around your home is the ultimate budget garden idea, bringing the important added benefit of showing our planet some kindness. You can give old furniture a new purpose as a planter with a simple lick of paint, or recycle old tins to create candle holders that double as cosy garden lighting fixtures.
Wooden pallets can be made into all sorts of garden furniture, from sofas and coffee tables to storage containers and DIY planters. Ask friends and local businesses if they’ve got any spares, or keep an eye on platforms like Freecycle, Gumtree and eBay for inexpensive pallets and giveaways. Old ladders are ideal for creating wall trellises and vertical gardens — just pop them against the wall and use cable ties to hang your plant pots.
When it comes to executing garden and patio ideas on a budget, it’s important to remember that you don’t need to deprive yourself of new soft furnishings. One easy way to quickly transform your garden is by treating your space to some affordable outdoor accessories. Outdoor rugs make an instant impact for a relatively low cost, adding vibrant pattern and colour while bringing a sense of order and cohesion to your space.
Outdoor cushions are another convenient addition that certainly don’t have to break the bank. The simple introduction of a few eye-catching cushions in colours that complement the space will have your garden feeling brand new in no time. Finish by layering up with some warming throws to keep you cosy when the sun goes down, and you’ll have an inviting outdoor living space that neither you nor your guests will want to leave.
The presence of wild animals can make spending time in your garden (or even just looking out the window) so much more enjoyable. Whether it’s the tweeting of birds, the buzzing of bumblebees or the quiet rustling of hedgehogs, there’s lots you can do to make your garden more inviting for wildlife — and it doesn’t have to cost the earth either.
Make your own bee hotel by gathering dry leaves, twigs, pine cones and little pieces of tree bark. Pop them in between bricks or place them in wooden boxes in a damp, dark corner of your garden. You’ll be making your garden the perfect environment for some of the planet’s most beautiful and important pollinators.
Focus on fostering native plants to ensure that local wildlife has access to the food and shelter that it needs. Flowering plants like foxgloves, bluebells and primrose are perfectly suited to the UK’s climate — meaning they’re also a lot easier to maintain!
Whether you’re seeking a full-scale garden transformation or just want to make some small additions without spending a fortune, you can start implementing any of these budget garden ideas today. From getting your garden spick and span to introducing a fresh lick of paint, reusing and upcycling furniture to choosing affordable outdoor accessories — there are plenty of ways to refresh your outdoor living space while sticking to a reasonable budget.
Check out the full outdoor living range to discover our huge selection of reasonably-priced garden decor, and read our outdoor guides and design tips for more inspiration and affordable garden ideas.
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