Okay, you’ve created a landscape plan and picked out plants, so now it’s time to think about the garden furniture.
Having a place to sit, entertain and enjoy the outdoors makes all the difference in a garden. Without outdoor seating, a garden could become merely a view from your home or a place in which to work.
However, good garden furniture can be expensive, so here are some tips to help you furnish your garden on a tight budget:
If you have some garden furniture, but it’s mismatched and looking the worse for wear, roll up your sleeves and use paint or wood vanish to revamp each piece and create a cohesive look.
If you don’t mind dumpster diving, you may be pleasantly surprised by what you can find in other people’s trash.
I had wanted an outdoor coffee table for ages, but I didn’t want to spend more money after buying two garden benches. One day, I found a table frame in our complex bin room that was almost perfect – it just needed a new top. I gave it a spray paint and added an inexpensive tray that fitted the top perfectly and hey presto, we had an outdoor table.
Whether it’s a second-hand shop, school fair or online market, scout around for preloved garden furniture and you could find the pieces you love at a fraction of the new retail price.
If you’re handy, you could turn wooden pallets into patio furniture (click here for a tutorial)
However, you don’t necessarily have to pick up a hammer to make garden furniture. Simply pop outdoor cushions on strong plastic storage boxes and you have some instant garden seats (and an extra storage space). It’s a perfect seating option for a small outdoor space, like a balcony.
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