Meet the experts
- Daniel Le Vaillant, Head of Photography and Film at Cox & Cox: ‘Treat your garden like any room in the house, keep it tidy and look after the furniture’
- Lee Burkhill, Garden Designer and TV Presenter at Garden Ninja: ‘Thinking strategically with colour, over propagating plants that do well and getting your hands dirty will take you a long way’
- Julian Palframand, Head of Plants at British Garden Centres: ‘A good garden clean-up costs nothing and gives you a new canvas for any ideas you may have’
This time of year, many of us are looking for ways to get our gardens growing in time for summer without breaking the bank. But where do you start with yourself? Budget garden ideas?
We asked a garden designer, plant expert and brand stylist to share their insider secrets for budget makeovers that look amazing.
‘Start by acquiring rather than buying,’ says Lee, referring to plants Furniture. ‘Pick and distribute your herbs Perennial And you will get three or four plants from each clump. Then rearrange what you have by color – that’s the most overlooked part of good garden design. It costs nothing to move a plant but it really transforms a space.’
Julian adds: ‘Give everything a tidy up, cutting back, pulling out dead or straggly growth weed Before they seed and border your borders.’
Coordinate your planting in your choice of accessories. Paisley waterproof outdoor rug, £40, at Talking Tables
(Image credit: Talking Tables)
If your Furniture needs updatingJulian suggests sanding the wood, followed by a coat of teak oil or exterior wood color. ‘Painting is one of the most transformative things you can do for under £30,’ agrees Lee. ‘Use slate blue, sage green or warm off-white and paint every mismatched chair, table and planter the same colour. What once looked like a cluttered sale suddenly looks like a curated outdoor room. You can go bold and choose bright blue or even yellow to make a design statement.’
Daniel loves adding new accessories. ‘Weather ready cushions Neutral seating in cheerful colors will make a difference.’ She also likes to add a hero piece: ‘Look for one thing that makes a statement, like a water feature or an impressive planter, then rearrange your existing furniture to make this new piece the focal point for a new perspective.’
Group garden furniture around an outdoor rug to create a talking space. Singapore conversation set, £250; Zion rug, from £54All Dunelm
(Image credit: Dunelm)
go big
To make an impact with planting, Julian suggests ‘a few large pots filled with something bold and architectural, such as ornamental grassLavender or trailing ivy, which can act as a focal point. Bedding plants, such as pansies, violas and petunias, add instant color to hanging baskets or containers.’
Invest in a stylish, sturdy container that will last for years to come. Yana planter, £135, Cox & Cox.
(Image credit: Cox & Cox)
Lee likes to paint fencing or feature walls: ‘Fern green, dusty terracotta or a rich royal blue will instantly make your planting pop and
Light it right
There are many ways to add Garden lighting Without calling an electrician, Daniel says. ‘For a festival-style, party LightingOpt for plug-in festoons, while rope lights can give a magical effect. Get creative with placement – wrap them around a tree or horizontally across a pergola for maximum effect.’
Lee suggests solar and battery-powered options. Spike lights in the borders, solar lanterns on the steps and battery-operated LED candles on the tables provide layers of light for under £50. Arrange your light sources indoors.’
Start with an outdoor rug, then add bold linens and festoon lights for al fresco dining. Anywhere Ca-rPET herringbone re-reflect rug with moor border, from £195, optional flooring
(Image credit: Alternative Flooring)
Look for low-cost landscaping
‘Gravel is still one of the best value landscaping materials available and, used well, it looks really good,’ says Lee.
‘Pair them with large stepping stones or sleepers to create structure and plants Drought tolerant perennial And grass through it. It’s low maintenance, drains well and gives you that relaxed, natural feel that’s so of the moment.’ Julian adds: ‘Cotswold stone and blue slate give outdoor spaces a tidy, polished look with minimal effort, adding color and texture all year round.’
A few bags of gravel, weed-proof membrane and stepping stones can transform a weed-infested lawn into a suitable path.
(Image credit: Future plc)
When it comes to fencing, Lee says, ‘I like strong climbers Rosa ‘Rambling Rector’ or Self-Clinging Hydrangea petiolaris To cover “bare” unpainted fence panels – softer and more inviting than plain gray or orange fence panels!’
Theft from interior items
‘Think of your garden as an outdoor room and apply the same principles. Use an outdoor mirror to double the feel of the space and position it to reflect a planting border or focal point rather than a fence or gate,’ advises Lee.
Create a feature wall with a bold paint color or a trained climber. Consistently use accent colors in your cushions, pots and accessories as you would with soft furnishings indoors. Repetition of color and form gives the space a design feel.’
Use paint to create an accent wall, just like you do indoors. Wall in Prom Dress Aura Exterior Low Shine, £39 for 0.94 litres, Benjamin Moore
(Image credit: Benjamin Moore)
‘There are some really exciting new colors inspired by earthy palettes in textiles and accessories for gardens this season, perfect for those who prefer a restrained look,’ says Daniel. ‘Look for terracotta, rust, sage and almond-toned pieces in a matte finish.’
Make it bloom every year
‘Investing in evergreen structural plants – grasses, pittosporum, spirea, viburnum and ferns – will add form and foliage interest throughout the season,’ says Lee.
‘And buy in multiples. Build your planting plan on this backbone and layer seasonal color around it. Everything else – furniture, pots and accessories – is secondary to getting the bones of the garden right, and good design makes even a sparse winter garden look deliberate.’
Paint the fence to make your planting scheme stand out. For the same, try Cuprinol Black Ducksback for sheds and fences, £24.99 for 9 litres, Screwfix
(Image credit: Future plc)
‘It’s all about coincidence,’ adds Julian. ‘Create a space where pots, furniture and materials all share the same palette. Remove clutter, unnecessary pots and anything that doesn’t immediately take its place. This enhances the whole space, as expensive gardens have less, not more.’
Need to know… it looks expensive
Julian Palframand of British Garden Centers shares his tips
- Expensive looking gardens on a modest budget are where every decision is made deliberately.
- Edit ruthlessly – remove anything that doesn’t contribute. Use fewer, larger pots instead of lots of smaller ones for effect.
- Repeat the same plant three to five times through the border instead of buying one of everything.
- Choose one color and apply it consistently to all your furniture and woodwork.
