6 DIY projects to transform your garden

Pick up some pallets 

Wooden pallets are relatively easy to get your hands on and can become the staple of any garden project.

The great thing about them is the structure and stability is already there, and if that wasn't enough, they're incredibly versatile. With a quick sanding down, followed by painting and varnishing, pallets can become just about anything - provided your creativity and woodworking ability aligns.

By taking apart a pallet, you can use the individual pieces of wood to create a rustic path through your garden. They can also double up as tables, benches, planters, shelving or storage.

What if you've developed a passion for plants? We'll come onto that properly later, but if you're looking for somewhere to store a fork, trowel or even a hose, why not fix a pallet to a wall and attach some hooks to it? Add a lick of paint and some foliage, and you have an eye-catching tool organiser.

Garden seating

Pallets can brilliantly complement an outdoor space in more ways than one. With a bit of work, a touch of varnish and a couple of cushions, they can also become benches, chairs and garden seats. But, before this becomes a propaganda post for wooden pallets, we should also outline that other options are available.

Offcuts can be purchased online or from local lumberyards and woodworkers - for a relatively low cost and can transform into summer seating. Does your garden feature a tree? Why not turn that into a focal point and add seating around the trunk?

Other options include upcycling some second-hand furniture you may pick up for cheap online. Why not try and give a new lease of life to a sofa, swinging chair, hammock or even a hanging bed - if you have space? We're sure we know someone who can help transport furniture for you, too.

Let there be light

Your garden will become your hotspot in the summer. From sunbathing to working, hosting parties or barbecues - weather permitting, you won't be short of reasons to spend time in your garden during summer. 

But, as the sun sets, sometimes you don't want to give up and head inside - summer only rolls around once a year, after all. So how do you add a touch of light?

If you're changing lamps, light fittings or fixtures inside your house, why not bring some of them outside and switch bulbs out for tea lights and candles?

If you're feeling creative, have you considered adding a fire pit? They offer an unbeatable atmosphere and keep things cosy late into the evening. However, it's fair to say they're not always the most affordable. With a bit of time and effort, you can build your own at a fraction of the cost. If you're intrigued, guides online can help steer you along the way.

Fix up fences

Fences are an essential part of any garden. However, it's fair to say that they don't always look the most appealing. But how do you cover an unsightly fence?

Luckily, you have several options, so you can choose something that fits the vibe you're aiming for with your garden. Fences can become a home for the previously mentioned repurposed lighting, or why not use this space to add a mirror?

Are you looking to add more greenery? Combining raised flowerbeds with a trellis on the fence can provide a natural covering for your boundaries - living walls can keep a building cool, improve the air quality, reduce noise and act as a magnet for valuable wildlife - like those precious bees!

Or, if you're on a budget, a coat of paint on fences can completely alter how your green space looks. Painting them in a dark colour can make foliage, plants, and flowers pop. Alternatively, lighter colours - such as white - can make spaces feel more modern.

Reuse the rainwater

This next tip may be the most environmentally friendly and cost-saving piece of advice we have in this blog post.

It's no secret that the cost of living - and utility bills - are all soaring. Where possible, we're all trying to save money where we can. But, for those with green fingers, did you consider you could be saving money on watering your seedlings?

By placing a barrel - or a plastic drum - at the base of your downspout, you can let it fill up and collect the rainwater we'll undoubtedly get halfway through July. Then, you can use the rainwater later for watering your plants later.

Grow in your garden

Keeping plants front of mind, they play a starring role in our final tip. No garden - or indeed home - is ever complete without some form of greenery. Whether it's flowers, herbs, shrubs or grub, you can grow just about anything in a garden or greenhouse - but why limit yourself to conventional gardening methods?

If you're looking for seedlings, or struggle with ideas on what to plant, opting for perennials - or plants that come back every year - ensures that you'll have an annual bloom in springtime. Heading to local markets ensures you'll find low-priced, local seeds and cuttings whilst helping breathe life into your outdoor space.