Outdoor space on a budget

LOOKING TO REVIVE YOUR OUTDOOR SPACE FOR SUMMER WITHOUT SPENDING A FORTUNE? WE ASKED THE EXPERTS TO SHARE THEIR TIPS

Ah summer, you’re so close… but if you’ve been neglecting your garden over the winter months, there’s still time to give it a refresh – and without blowing the budget. From seating to colour, planting to hard landscaping, a little work now will see you enjoy your outdoor space all summer long. But if you’re unsure where to start – and certainly where you can save money – we asked a garden designer, a stylist and an outdoor living buyer for their tips on how to achieve garden revamps for less.

WORK WITH WHAT YOU HAVE

‘Sometimes, it’s the simplest things that can make a big difference,’ says Charlie. ‘Start by removing weeds and giving the area a good clean, using a jet washer to make your patio look like new.’ Joel believes that we shouldn’t overlook the art of gardening itself: ‘Gardening is one of the few things you can do for free. People always look for the “makeover” but remember how important the plants are in a garden, providing cover, shade, colour and texture as well as space for nature. Look for the best place to sit in your garden, whether that’s for a morning cuppa or a drink after work. Find out where the sun is, and then pop a seat or bench there. A place to sit and plants to enjoy are the very foundations of a garden for me, whatever your budget might be.’

GIVE DIY A GO

‘It’s surprisingly easy to make a bench from railway sleepers,’ says Joel, ‘but the trick is to paint any base or legs black and sand the top lighter, so it looks made and designed. Sleeper raised beds give a garden structure and planting space, but try to work to the dimensions of the sleepers, rather than waste time, effort – and often money – cutting them to fit.’