Looking for stylish ways to stretch your cash? These brilliant budget garden ideas are high on style, low on cost and will help transform your backyard into your favourite outdoor spot. Whether you’re after a space to chill, for the children to play or to socialise with family and friends, we’ve plenty of smart tips and tricks to help you create an alfresco patch to be proud of.
Start by checking what needs your attention first before deciding what garden ideas to focus on. Simple fixes such as repairing and painting garden fencing, tidying up lawns and beds, or sprucing up a neglected patio after winter can have a big impact for very little cost.
‘Spring cleaning your outdoor space is a crucial first step when it comes to preparing for the new season, giving you a fresh canvas,’ says Marcus Eyles, Horticultural Director at Dobbies(opens in new tab). ‘One of the easiest ways to tidy up your garden is by neatening your beds and borders for the growing season. You can do this by hoeing borders to remove weeds and applying a good layer of mulch or manure over the surface to lock in moisture and give plants a boost for spring.’
Budget garden ideas
There are plenty of simple updates that can be achieved on a budget and which can make a huge difference to the appearance of your outdoor space. If money is super tight, there are even a few free garden ideas that you can tackle which involve zero cost, from using self-seeding flowers that will bloom season after season, to dividing up plants to boost next year’s planting scheme.
Making or revamping garden planters and containers is another easy way of adding a bespoke look to your outdoor space that won’t hit your pocket hard. From using recycled materials, like wooden pallets, reclaimed timber and scrap metal, to clever upcycling ideas using leftover paint or tiles. With a little planning and a few clever tips and tricks, it’s possible to create the outdoors space you’ve always wanted for next to nothing.
1. Reshape your borders
Simply altering the shape and size of your flower beds can revitalise your garden, costing no more than an hour or two of your time, and a bag of compost. Why not introduce relaxed curves or sharp-lined geometric beds for a more contemporary vibe that will transform your garden border ideas.
Whatever your design ambitions, a good quality, sharp edging tool is a must for this job. Tool specialists Burgon & Ball(opens in new tab) advise ‘Use borders to create optical illusions. Different shapes of flower bed can dramatically alter the atmosphere of a garden.
‘Straight beds down either side will make a garden look smaller, whereas a sweeping curve can make it feel bigger than it actually is. And creating flower beds a metre deep allows them to comfortably accommodate several different heights of plant for a full, rich look.’
2. Cover up a shabby patio
Rather than forking out for a new patio to be installed, simply disguise tired paving or a weathered deck with a colourful all-weather rug. The majority of outdoor rugs are made from woven polypropylene and come in a whole host of different patterns, bright colours or earthy neutrals and can be picked up for under £100.
Warmer and more comfortable underfoot than cold slabs, a rug is an easy way of bringing instant colour and pattern to an outside seating space and can make an eye catching focal point to arrange garden furniture around. Durable and hardwearing, they can be left outside during rain showers and are quick to dry.
3. Paint fences a fresh colour
For an instant pick-me-up when the weather turns warmer, why not try painting the fence a fresh pastel shade or a dramatic dark? An easy fix for weathered outdoor timber that’s looking a little jaded, such as fence panels and trellis, garden fence ideas(opens in new tab) and spruce-ups can be completed in less than a day.
‘You should choose a paint colour that enhances your existing garden or terrace,’ says Aaron Markwell, COAT’s(opens in new tab) paint colour guru. ‘Pairing smoky dark greens with a black paint or a green-grey will make your plants pop and serve as a beautiful background for your outdoor furniture. Greys and green paint tones work perfectly outdoors and can create an illusion of space that can make a small garden feel bigger.’
4. Re-seed the lawn
If you love the idea of lush lawn ideas for summer picnics or for the kids to have a run-around, then you’re in luck, as it’s cheap and relatively easy to create. However, while using rolls of turf may be quicker, it’s definitely more expensive, so if you’re prepared to be patient, grass seed is the way forward.
You’ll need to prepare the ground first, removing any weeds or stones and levelling it out before re-compacting it and raking over the top. Lawnmower manufacturer Stihl (opens in new tab)recommends ‘seed coverage of 15g to 20g per sq metre’ and warns that ‘if the grass plants are sown too close together, they will impede each other’s growth.’ Water the seeds and keep them moist until it’s properly germinated.
5. Lay a DIY path
Creating a quick and easy garden path idea doesn’t have to be an expensive or arduous project. From bark nuggets, slate chippings, gravel or pea shingle, there are a number of easy lay options that are also practical underfoot and good looking too.
You could simply lay straight on the ground or a hard surface (think concrete hardstanding or ugly paved area) and rake over a loose material like gravel or shingle level, but in most cases, it makes good sense to put down landscape membrane first and then the aggregate on top. This will both stop the aggregate from being pushed down into the soil and prevent weeds from growing up, within the path.
Another thrifty and attractive idea is to lay a woodland-style log path using cross sections of sawn logs. Place them onto a firmed and levelled pathway and arrange as stepping-stones, filling in any gaps in-between with bark chippings.
6. Make beanbag floor cushions
Rather than lug heavy floor cushions around the garden, opt for an easy-carry DIY version filled with lightweight polystyrene beads. Use brightly-coloured striped or floral fabrics and a PVC-coated fabric for the base so that the floor cushions will be waterproof.
Simply make a large square cushion shape, created using two large square pieces (for the top and bottom), joined together using four long pieces (to create the side gussets). Use a sewing machine to join together, adding a long zipper on one end gusset and then a small carry handle on the opposite end. Once complete, fill with bean bag beads through the back zipper opening.
7. Revamp outdoor chairs
Outdoor fabric can easily get rain damaged or mildewed if stored in a damp place. Breathe new life into shabby deck chairs or folding director’s chairs by replacing the fabric slings. Simply remove the old slings from the wooden frame (put any fixings to one side) and give any weathered wood a light sanding to get rid of any flaky paint. Once the surface is smooth, you could also re-paint or varnish the wood at this stage, if needed.
Use a colourful canvas fabric for your new slings, cutting it to the same size and length as the old ones. Use a sewing machine to hem the new slings and sew channels for fixing (using the old ones as a guide). Once complete, simply re-attach the new slings to the wooden frame, replace any fixings and then your seat is good to go.
8. Make an easy water feature
The soothing sound of trickling water or the sun reflecting off the surface adds a new dimension to any outdoor space and creating a DIY water feature idea is easy to do without too much effort. While there’s a huge range of designs available to buy, a DIY water feature is super-easy to put together and can look just as effective.
Choose a shallow yet wide open container – a vintage enamel basin, galvanised metal tub or even an upturned dustbin lid will do the job perfectly. Place your container on level ground or raise up on a simple brick or timber plinth, away from trees or shrubs.
Decide what you want your feature to include, whether still water, a mini solar-powered bubbling fountain or a selection of aquatic plants. Then simply fill with water and enjoy the reflection of scudding clouds overhead and visits from thirsty birds and other wildlife.
9. Bring in easy-fit solar lighting
Perfect for showcasing your garden’s best features, a few staked spotlights shining up through a tree or a sculpted shrub will transform it into a stunning focal point and add instant depth and drama too. Alternatively use them along the edge of a flower bed or path to define the area.
Solar spotlights can be placed in any sunny spot. Needing just 6-8 hours of daylight to charge fully, the rechargeable battery will store energy to illuminate the garden at night. Minus any irritating or ugly wires, they can simply be pushed into the ground or container where needed, and even moved around if desired.
10. Create a sunnier outlook
If you’re fed up of staring at scruffy brickwork or tatty plaster, then grab a pot of paint and give a dreary outdoor wall a glow-up. Whether it’s a wall at the end of the garden or on the side of a garage, a bold colour will look much more uplifting than standard white or neutral and will give a drab space a bit of a boost.
Bold shades make a great foil for flowers, foliage and planters and will make bright colours pop. Ensure that any render or brickwork is clean, dry and free of loose flakes before painting and always use exterior masonry paint for a longer-lasting finish.
11. Go for a one-colour planting scheme
A super-simple way of making a style statement outdoors is by co-ordinating your planting scheme and keeping to a complementary palette of colours rather than a random mix. Sticking to a single colour throughout beds and borders, such as all-white flowers and blooms, looks striking and can often be as beautiful as using many different colours.
Another way of creating a co-ordinated planting scheme is by repeating the same plants in various places throughout beds and borders. Try to arrange plants in small groups or clusters, where you can. Odd numbers appear more natural and pleasing to the eye than even numbers, so aim for small plant groupings of three, five and so on. Repetition creates unity and will help to draw the eye more smoothly through the garden.
12. Make oversized planters
Buying tubs and planters for the garden can cost a small fortune, especially when it comes to larger sizes. Try this purse-friendly idea for industrial-style planters that can be tailor-made in any size and are perfect for small trees or large shrubs.
Use sheets of corrugated steel bought from a DIY store or builders merchants and simply wrap a length into a large circle, then secure with roofing bolts into pre-drilled holes. Make sure that any ends are tucked inwards so that there are no sharp edges. Then simply fill with a layer of hard core, top with soil and get planting.
13. Create a focal point
Whether you’ve a small outdoor space or a rambling plot, giving the garden a focal point is a great way of creating a visual resting spot. Whether you add a bench or small tree halfway down the garden, adding a focal point helps to draw the eye in and encourages further investigation.
Invite interest with a pathway, semi-secluded seating area or strategic planting that highlights a particular spot or lovely view. Consider adding a painted wall to create an end point at the bottom of the garden. Adding a backdrop helps to create a natural destination point that will encourage visitors to wander further in.
Don’t be tempted to overuse focal points though, too many will create confusion, so limit the amount to just one or two.
14. Use old guttering to plant up strawberries
Don’t just chuck out old plastic guttering once it needs replacing, but use it as a cheap container for growing strawberry plants instead. Attach the guttering to the wall of your house or garage and arrange in lengths sat on top of each other.
Not only will this make an attractive display, but it will also save you from having to bend over low flower beds, and makes the plants more accessible to pick once ripe.
15. Make a planter with built-in drainage
Another great way save cash on a planter is to use an old metal colander, and attach four lengths of chain to it to make a hanging basket. The beauty of a colander is that it has ready-made drainage holes already built in, so you don’t need to worry about your roots becoming water logged. Plant it up with a mixture of flowering plants and trailing plants to make a beautiful display.
16. Bring your inside furniture, out!
Save money and space, by bringing out your indoor chairs and side tables, and setting them up in a sunny spot in the garden. Ok so this isn’t ideal if you live in a high-rise flat, but if you can save on doubling up on seating that spends the majority of it’s life tucked away in a shed, you’re winning right? Think wicker chairs on your balcony, rattan numbers on the patio and cool cane armchairs nestled among the flora.
17. Make vegetable tags from corks
Save the corks from bottles of wine enjoyed with friends and upcycle them into vegetable tags. Carefully slice one fifth of the cork off to reveal a flat surface, then use a permanant marker to write each vegetable name on. Use a wooden skewer pushed into the bottom of the cork to give your tag height, then pop into the ground when you’re growing your veg to remind you what’s what.
18. 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. Check out Mano Mano(opens in new tab) for the step-by-step guide.
19. Create a candle centrepiece
Use vintage terracotta pots to make a simple patio display. Fill the pots with sand and push in a selection of dinner candles.
Odd numbers feel visually balanced, so use three standard sized candles or seven to nine skinny tapered ones.
Place on the table as a rustic centrepiece or along walkways to cast light and create a relaxed ambience. To repel insects use candle that contain citronella essential to deter pesky mosquitoes.
20. Make a plant marker
Prettify your pots with slate labels. Never confuse your chives with your chervil again by creating handy labels to pop in your herb pots. Use a white marker pen or piece of chalk (if you want to rub them out) to write the plant names on mini slate tiles.
Bend wire using pliers to make rods with curled hooks to hang them on. Write how often plants need watering on the back of the marker.
21. Beachcomb for garden materials
Repurposing is always a winning way to cut down costs when it comes to seeking out garden materials. In this landscaped garden the planting is highlighted by recycled whelk shells, lighting up the ground underneath the Acer tree at the back of the garden. The intention is to make a feature of the hero tree, and to hide the dark soil beneath.
22. 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?
Marcus Eyles, Horticultural Director, Dobbies(opens in new tab) 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.’
23. Preserve planting with 1p coin trick
Do garden tips get much better than this 1p wonder from celebrity gardener David Domoney(opens in new tab)?! Appearing on This Morning he explains, ‘I’m often asked ‘How do you tell if a plants alive or dead at this time of year if it hasn’t come into leaf?’. His response, ‘All your need is an expensive bit of equipment’ he jests, as he goes on to explain, ‘it costs a penny, it is a penny!’
He goes on to demonstrate how you use the 1p coin to scrape away a small patch of the bark on a branch, to determine the health of the plant. If it’s brown, it’s dead and if it’s green or white (depending on the branches) it’s still alive and well. This simple garden hack instantly tells you which plants are alive or dead.
24. 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.
25. Build a budget corner sofa
Making your own furniture is always going to prove more budget-friendly, plus you get exactly what your heart desires. Visit your local DIY retailer and buy some basic sheets of MDF to construct a seat for your corner sofa, fashioning a back with scatter cushions for comfort. Ensuring the base is securely fastened to the walls and well-supported beneath to take the weight when garden gatherings ensue.
To add an extra touch of style, and make it feel less budget, paint the seating area in the latest on-trend colours. Add a coffee table and outdoor lighting to welcome a touch of ambience to the sociable space.
26. Paint the patio
If you want to make your grassless garden ideas 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.
27. Carve out a gravel path
Navigate your garden with a path paved with gravel and concrete slabs. This DIY garden path idea is a great budget solution for those who want to do it themselves, rather than having to source a professional to do the job – which would substantially add to the costs.
28. 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 your own DIY pallet bar – for as little as £35!
29. 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.
30. Organise garden twine
Upcycle unused kitchen funnels to organise your garden twines. Simply attached the surplus kitchen accessories onto the wall in the shed, using a hook or a picture fastening. Ensure it’s secure enough to take the weight of the twine and withstand the pulling motion as the string is dispensed.
31. Use old wine corks to elevate plant pots
We’ve picked this tip up via Love Your Garden’s celebrity gardener David Domoney. On his Instagram David writes, ‘Use wine corks, instead of buying pot feet for containers. By elevating your pot you’re creating a gap between the container and the patio allowing the pot to drain effectively and preventing the soil from getting waterlogged’. Drinking wine to help the garden, it’s a win win.
32. Upturn crates to fashion garden shelving
Use old wooden crates imaginatively to create bespoke garden storage. Upturned crates can be stacked to fashion shelving for displaying plants or simply storing pots and accessories – even garden shoes.
To ensure safety we recommend attaching the wooden crates securely to the fence behind, where possible. If being used as a freestanding storage unit, say in a shed, simply attached the crates to one another and ensure they are positioned safely – so as not to topple over.
33. Transform old shelves into a vertical herb garden
If you have an old set of shelves mount them to a fence and fill with terracotta pots to create your own vertical herb garden. You can also convert an old pallet or ladder if you don’t have any old shelves lying around.
34. Repurpose peg rails
Repurpose old peg rails into a striking outdoor lighting fixtures. Attach any hooks or peg rails you have lying around the house to a fence or wall to create the perfect spot to hang solar powered lights or tea light holders. This is the perfect tip for adding interest to a small garden.
35. 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.
36. Reuse old pans as planters
Before throwing out old pots and pans, think about whether they could be used as alternative planters instead. Their hard-wearing shells make them ideal for the outdoors. Simply punch a couple of drainage holes in the bottom before re-potting your plants.
37. 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.
38. Paint your house number on plant pots
The ideal front garden idea, painting your house number onto plant pots is a thoroughly charming way to make your house instantly identifiable. It costs next to nothing, especially if you already have a plant pot in mind and a test pot of paint. Get creative and paint the design of your choice – here simple flowers are created with freehand brush daps. To paint the numbers neatly we recommend using either a wraparound stencil or marking them precisely with masking table.
39. Fashion a plant display using old ladders
Step up your garden features with the help of decorative ladder shelving. These ladder shelves are formed by tying two ladders together at the top. Wooden planks laid across the runs provide the shelves on which to display potted plants, lanterns and decorative accessories. Super easy to make and totally cost effective. A step in the right direction for budget gardens!
40. Power up solar lights for ambience
Fairy lights in the garden help to add ambience. This clever fairy light idea is made using a kitchen staple, the Kilner jar, and a set of solar-powered lights. Powered by all day by the sun these dainty lights will cast a pretty glow over gardens after dark. They are a great solution that doesn’t cost a lot at all.
41. Add interest to walls with framed plants
Simple but hugely effective, this easy make costs just a few pounds but is a smart way to bring colour to a dull wall. It’s a great Bank Holiday project – you’ll need some frames, chicken wire, paints, and succulents and moss to fill them out.
42. Upcycle an old cabinet into a potting table
Here, an old freestanding kitchen unit has been transformed into a place to repot plants with a few easy modifications. Start with a lick of paint, and maybe look to changing the worktop – here, a surface with a lip stops soil dropping all over the floor. Add hooks to the side so you can hang trowels and other tools for easy access. Inside, you can stash compost, pots, seeds and more, freeing up space in your shed.
43. Lay a path made from old bricks
Put that pile of leftover bricks to good use and make a path that mirrors the shape of your flowerbeds. Lay them long and sideways in a bed of gravel to create a patterned curve.
44. Add instant colour with bedding plants
A tray of Tagetes or Antirrhinum (snapdragons) will add instant colour to your front garden and bloom throughout the summer. Be sure to feed them weekly with tomato food in the summer keep them well watered in the heat – snip off any dead flower heads to keep them looking top notch.
With the right care they should be packed with flowers until early autumn.
45. Impress guests with an outdoor bar
Rather than disappear into the house every time another drink is needed set up a bar outside and make cocktail hour an alfresco affair. You can pick up the materials needed to knock up your own Tiki-style serving area cheaply at your local DIY store. Or you could keep it really simple and upcycle and old wooden bar cart, making sure to treat the wood against the elements. Keeping drinks cool is as simple as filling a bucket with ice.
46. Use plastic bottles as containers
It’s only when you look closely that you notice this potted display is actually contained in used drinks bottles. We spotted this trick at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show, and isn’t it genius? Try it yourself by carefully cutting off the top of each bottle, then adding gravel for drainage, followed by soil and the plants of your choice.
47. 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.
48. Turn your shed into a summerhouse
If you have a garden shed, but you’re not really using it for anything beyond storing a toolbox and housing some cobwebs, don’t waste the extra space. You can spruce it up pretty easily and turn it into a bright and airy potting shed (if you’re green-fingered) a sunny summerhouse, a neat studio or even a garden playhouse for the kids.
49. Create a bird feeder
It’s not always big things that change the feel of a garden – it can simply amount to the sounds you hear. Boost your garden’s atmosphere by encouraging birds in with a DIY bird feeder their song will instantly create a more positive feel. Talk about an idea on the ‘cheep’!
50. Upcycle drawers to create a unique planter
If you have an old, unused chest of drawers knocking about the house, give it a new lease of life by turning it into a unique colourful garden planter! This four-drawer unit is well-balanced with two staggered tiers of plants, that bring a playful touch to your back garden design.
51. Create an inexpensive awning
If you have a compact patio garden that’s a bit of a sun trap, consider hanging a simple sail-like canopy. It won’t take up the valuable space that a parasol would, but still gives you a little bit of safe shade.
You can buy shades like this at B&Q, or get creative and make your own garden shade ideas out of an old sail or sheet.
52. Opt for a one-colour wonder
Paint everyone in one colour, save buying more than one tin. In a balcony garden, don’t overcomplicate things; choose slender planters in a rich, summery colour and match your furniture.
A lick of metal paint can update an old iron garden chair quite easily and is a cheap update, too. This beautiful blue has a real Mediterranean feel and, together with the slender lines of the plant pots and the chair, the small garden area feels comfortable rather than cluttered.
53. Repurpose old food tins
Turn kitchen waste in garden wonders. For the planters, make drainage holes in the base of each can with a bradawl and a single hole 1.5cm from the top edge. Spray with 2 coats of paint (we used Plasti-kote spray paints) and, once dry, thread wire through the top hole as a hanger. Fill with plants of your choice.
As lanterns, draw a pattern on the can using a Sharpie pen then punch along the lines with a bradawl. Punch two holes near the top edge at opposite sides for the hanger. Spray with two coats of paint and loop the wire through the top holes as a hanger.
54. Transform a plain wall with a mural
Here, and old brick garage has been magically reinvented as a mystical pathway through the woods. And all it took was some tins of paint, applied by an expert wall artist. Commission your own work of art, or have a go yourself if you’re really counting the pennies and fancy yourself as the next Banksy.
55. Boost seating with colourful cushions
Give your old garden sofa a boost by layering it up with new-season accessories for a modern, budget-conscious look.
Keep a feeling of warmth, even in a shady corner with bright cushions and matching planting.
How can I landscape my yard cheaply?
DIY garden landscaping ideas are how you do it cheaply. Put a pile of leftover bricks to good use by fashioning a cheap garden path that mirrors the shape of your flowerbeds. Lay them length and sideways in a bed of gravel to create a patterned curve that looks professionally done, rather than DIY.
Use pots of low maintenance plants to frame patios and pathways, while building raised beds using reclaimed wood to create depth for your border planting will also help save on garden landscaping costs.
How can I make my backyard beautiful on a low budget?
From upcycling to make your own furniture to painting the stone tiles to add some much-needed colour – there are so many ways to make the garden beautiful on a budget. where you can try your hand at DIY to ensure whatever you are updating is cost-effective.
Try dressing the garden with accessories such as outdoor rugs and shower-resistant cushions to instantly make the space feel more premium and well-dressed. All of these things can be a cheap fix to enliven outdoor spaces of all shapes and sizes.