Transform your garden on a budget

IF YOU HAVE BIG IDEAS FOR YOUR GARDEN BUT LIMITED FUNDS TO WORK WITH, CHECK OUT OUR PURSE-FRIENDLY IDEAS

- FEATURE KATIE SIMS, AMY HODGE

If your garden has become a bit of an eyesore over winter, now's the time to knock it back into shape for the summer. From a grubby-looking patio to tired furniture, you may be faced with a long list of things to tackle. You might automatically think projects like these cost loads of money... not always. There are heaps of ways to spruce up your outdoor space without spending a fortune. Start with a good clean, from scrubbing your patio to tidying up your topiaries. Then you can move onto the more fun job of decorating.

Here are a few of our favourite ways to get a garden looking great on a budget...

1 REFRESH OUTDOOR FURNITURE WITH PAINT

Outdoor furniture can look tired if left exposed to the elements over winter. Giving it a refresh with wood varnish or painting it a bright shade can make it look brand new. 'No matter the size of your patio, adding a coat of paint to furniture is a quick and relatively inexpensive update that can transform your space from drab to stylish,' explains Helen Shaw, director of marketing at Benjamin Moore.

Restore each piece back to its original colour with a treatment before freshening it up with paint. 'Garden furniture can be upcycled with your favourite hue to create a quirky, personalised look,' says Helen. 'Paint smaller accessories such as pots in the same shade to tie everything together.'

2 SOFTEN EDGES WITH PLANTS