Tips to make your garden unrecognisable on a budget

Your garden doesn’t need a full renovation to feel new - just a few smart changes can breathe fresh life into it.

Whether you’re working with a patio, a patch of lawn or a large garden, there are plenty of budget-friendly ways to add charm, colour and comfort.

From solar lighting that creates evening ambience to easy upgrades such as fresh fence paint and tidy lawn edges, we’ve rounded up the best ways to give your outdoor space a glow-up without draining your pockets.

Breathe new life into your outside spaces. Sign up for our Gardening newsletter, it's free monthly

1. Hang some solar garden lights

Bring some ambience into your garden with outdoor lights - it's one of the easiest ways to make your garden feel magical after dark.

Many use solar energy so cost nothing to run, or you can find lights with an optional USB cable for an added boost of power.

When you buy garden lights, you'll want to make sure you get some that are durable. We've been testing solar lights in all weather for four years, and have found that harsh winters and bad weather can have huge detrimental effects on outdoor lights over time.

To find out which lights are hardy enough to make Best Buys, see our guide to the best solar garden lights.

2. Tidy the lawn with some edging shears

You might be surprised at what a difference a tidy lawn can make. Investing in some edging shears can ensure your grass always looks neat, plus they're a lot quieter than a grass trimmer.

You'll want them to be comfortable to hold, the right length so you're not hunched over and the blades need to stay sharp. 

See which models impressed in our tests with our guide to the best lawn edging shears.

3. Spruce up your fencing

A tired-looking fence can make any garden feel unpolished. To add some character - and durability - to your fence, you might consider giving it a coat or two of paint.

In our testing, we haven't uncovered any differences in the durability of fence paints, but we have found some are slightly easier to apply than others. 

There's also quite a price disparity between the cheapest and most expensive fence paints we've tested, ranging from less than £10 up to more than £50.

Discover the best fence paints to keep your garden looking smart.

4. Add a barbecue

We know what you're thinking - barbecues are usually quite expensive. But they don't have to be.

If you're sprucing up your garden on a budget or you have a smaller outdoor space to work with, a miniature version can be a great option. 

Make sure you head to our guides on how to cook on your barbecue and how to clean your barbecue before you light it up.

Our buying guide to the best barbecues reveals our expert's favourite models, as well as advice on the different types and brands.

5. Raise your garden beds

Raised beds can help you grow veg in a limited space and make everything in your garden feel a little more organised.

They're also handy if you've got poor soil where you live - the added depth can make all the difference to the health of your plants and help them thrive.

Most raised beds are no wider than 1.2m to allow you to reach into the centre of the bed easily when planting, weeding, watering and harvesting, so you don't ever need to tread on the beds.

You can make raised garden beds yourself with wooden planks, or buy a pre-made kit. We cover how to buy the best of both with our guide on how to build raised garden beds.

Best gifts for gardeners - picked by our green-fingered experts

More garden décor and makeover ideas

Clean up with a pressure washer

Mucky patio tiles? Garden furniture turned mouldy? A pressure washer can make light work of dirt and mildew left in the garden, provided you've avoided making any of these common pressure washer mistakes.

They can be pricey - some of the most expensive ones we've tested cost more than £500, although we have seen some as low as £100. 

Find the perfect pressure washer for cleaning your patio with our guide to the best pressure washers.

Add some flowers and greenery

It seems obvious, but plants really do bring life to a garden, and planting some new blossoming buds can help fill out any empty gaps and spaces you may have, or add a much-needed pop of colour. 

We have advice on buying plants for hanging baskets and the best plants for shade to help you cover those hard-to-reach areas too.

It shouldn't cost much, and you can buy plants from seed or nursery plants which are already established. We cover the best places to buy seeds and plants online in our handy guide.

For more tips on growing the best varieties of vegetables, flowers and more, see our plant advice guides.

Dine al fresco with a pizza oven

Having a pizza oven in your back garden will ensure you'll be a popular dinner party host all summer. You can expect to spend anywhere from £120 to more than £1,500, depending on which you opt for.

BBQ pizza ovens - which work by being placed on a barbecue you already own - tend to be cheaper and more compact, but can take longer to cook. 

You could also opt for an electric oven, which can be used either indoors or outdoors, or a wood-fired oven if you want the classic smoky barbecue taste.

Our experts put twelve pizza ovens to the test to find out which ones really made the best quality pizza and were easy to use - see the best pizza ovens. 

Invest in some garden storage

Garden storage solutions can help keep your tools and belongings safe and protected from weather, as well as neatening up how your garden looks.

If you've got quite a substantial budget, you could opt for a shed, but there are smaller and cheaper options available too, such as storage boxes and bins, or specific storage units for bikes, wheelie bins or logs.

You could even combine functionality and style by investing in garden furniture that comes with storage, such as tables with hidden compartments under the top, or sofas that hinge open for added storage space.

To learn more about the types available and what you can expect to spend, head over to our guide on how to buy the best garden storage.

Spruce up your garden furniture

Before investing in new garden furniture, it's worth seeing if your current patio pieces are salvageable - you might be surprised to find that they only need a wipe down before they're looking as good as new again. See our advice on caring for your garden furniture for tips.

For tougher marks, you can use a hose or pressure washer to loosen any dirt left over, and make sure to dry your furniture completely - ideally in the sun.

Current pieces beyond repair? See our garden furniture buying guide and our advice on saving money on garden furniture before you shop.

Make changes for the planet and your pocket. Sign up for our Sustainability newsletter, it's free monthly