Open a DIY garden bar

After a long day of work in the garden, a cheeky G&T may be just the thing you need. Fashion your own DIY garden bar with an upcycled wooden pallet mounted to the wall with a chain to drop down when required. Cheap to make, plus it'll save you a fortune from not spending at the local. Plus you can make this using Pallets– for as little as £35! 

Hang baskets filled with blooms

Hanging baskets are easy to make and look stunning. Make sure you use multi-purpose compost and feed regularly with tomato food. For a sunny spot use sun loving Surfinias and Bacopa and for a more shady corner try Lobelia and trailing Fuchsia. 

Make a pallet planter

Make a planter which can also double as a privacy screen, using a few old pallets (and a bit of DIY knowledge). A planter is super versatile and can be filled with flowers to add colour to the garden, herbs for those looking to 'grow your own', and if you add some taller plants, it can also act as a privacy screen to zone spaces or divert prying eyes.

Upcycle to make brilliant budget furniture

If you're on a budget, buying new garden furniture can sometimes feel so far out of reach. If you are looking for a savvy solution while you save for the dream furniture set try upcycling old wooden pallets. Above is a fine example of how a disused wooden pallet can make a fabulous garden table, thanks to a splash of vibrant colour and simple castor feet it takes on a whole new purpose. 

Create a free vegetable garden with kitchen scraps

If you want to make your garden a bit more about sustainability, but don't really have space (or the funds) to plant a full-scale veggie patch, why not try a neat vegetable trug instead? Garden Centres suggests ways to grow vegetables from kitchen scraps! 'Spring onions and celery are two kitchen staples that are easy to regrow from their root base with a couple of inches of stem attached' he explains. 'Slice across the stems, then stand them root down in a shallow glass of water. When new roots appear, plant them out in the garden to grow on.'

'For chillies and sweet peppers, collect their seeds and plant them directly into fresh compost. Then leave them to grow on a warm sunny windowsill, watering regularly.'

Perk up a patio with a rug

An outdoor rug and some oversize floor cushions laid over faded decking or a grubby patio will instantly lift your outdoor space and ensure an entertaining area just as stylish as your interior. Go for designs that are patterned on both sides, so you can flip them over if they start to discolour in the sun. 

Invigorate with a simple splash of colour

Adding a splash of bright colour behind your existing plants will help to breathe new life into your garden. Painting a feature wall in a bright colour, such as this sunshine yellow, will deliver huge impact without much  budget or effort. Be sure to paint with a specialist exterior paint to ensure it's suitable for the space. Choose a coordinating colour palette for pots and garden accessories, to create a cohesive look. 

Paint the patio

If you want to make your grassless garden a little bolder, perk up an old patio with a splash of paint and a stylish stencil pattern. A striking floor will enable your furniture and outdoor accessories shine brighter as a result of the backdrop.The trend became uber popular last summer, as cost-effective garden makeovers reached fever pitch.

Be sure to paint with a specialist exterior paint to ensure it's suitable for the space.

Make a shed multipurpose

  Create the perfect place to entertain by making a your garden shed a multi-purpose solution. It can house garden furniture in the winter, then open out into a bar for garden parties and alfresco sundowners in the summer months. Hang herbs from the roof to utilise during cocktail hour. 

Dress the garden with indoor accessories

Why double up the expenses of buying beautiful home accessories? Dress your deck with attractive textural accessories that can be easily popped inside should the great British weather do its worst. Doubling up also makes the outdoor an extension of out stylish indoor spaces, a rising trend we're seeing right now for gardens.