Garden design ideas

Gardening doesn’t need to be time-consuming with just a weekend’s planning and planting, you can establish some beautiful plants to ensure you get great views. 

When you want to throw a late barbecue party at short notice, here are a few ideas that can transform your garden’s look in very little time.

NOTE: All materials you haven’t handled before should always be used with care; follow manufacturers instructions at all times.

Painted plant pots
Gather up all your plant pots, brush and clean them off, then paint them either all the same colour or different tones of the same colour, using acrylic paint. For a longer-lasting finish, use a water-based polyurethane paint to seal the inside and for the final finish.

Hang decorations
If your children have grown out of playing with light plastic ball-pond balls, make small holes in each one and hang them from plants and trees, or create bunting from pretty waterproof papers (metallic finish wrapping paper or sheets of thick sellophane from an art shop) cut into diamonds then wrapped over garden twine and sealed at each point to create bunting triangles.

Give your borders a border
Use pebbles or pretty stones placed in a row with a few inches’ gap between them, along the edge between your flowerbeds and your grass. If you have time, paint them with acrylic paint and add flowery motifs or patterns.

Savvy tip
Re-cover cushions with garden-themed fabrics (look for offcuts going cheap, you don’t need much to cover a cushion), then use these to add a fresh touch to your garden furniture.

Pass it on – gifts for your garden
Find more ideas to create new looks outdoors with this Super Savvy feature all about simple, max-impact looks: Bright garden décor ideas.