Upcycling items from around the home is one way for hard-up Britons to make their cash go further during the current cost of living crisis. Don’t worry if you’re unsure of what to do, because experts have outlined ways to spruce up your garden this summer on a budget.
A list of useful things homeowners and gardeners can upcycle to give their outside space a new look have been rounded up by penny-pinching pros at NetVoucherCodes.co.uk. Upcycling allows us to get another use out of items that have already served their purpose.
It could be that old teapot that you’ve been thinking of throwing out which could make a quirky but handy plant pot. Or perhaps a pair of old curtains that could be reimagined as a comfy hammock to relax in on summer afternoons.
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Every little helps when it comes to saving a few pounds and pennies. And repurposing things and turning them into furniture or incorporating them into DIY projects rather than buying something brand new makes perfect sense.
Not everyone will have experience of upcycling in this way. But with a little guidance and imagination, it’s something anyone can have a go at. A spokesperson for NetVoucherCodes.co.uk said: “With the current cost of living crisis, now is a great time to start looking at what you can upcycle and when it comes to the outdoors, the possibilities are endless.
“Upcycling is basically giving another purpose or a second lease of life to something that you may have now outgrown or no longer need. When it comes to your garden, you can upcycle a lot of household items.”
(Image: Getty Images)
Examples include pots and pans you’re looking to replace in your kitchen, which can make stylish and quirky plant pots in your garden. “Or if you have extra decking you could lay these planks of wood down to create a garden path,” added the spokesperson. “You don’t always have to buy new things to get your garden looking Summer ready, most of the time the best tools are right in front of us.”
Here are some of the best garden upcycling hacks to save money:
Upcycle old kitchen pots as plant pots
You can make the most of any existing pots in your kitchen that no longer have use by turning them into plant pots. This could be saucepans from your stove or an old tea pot, anything that can comfortable home a few plants.
Don’t forget that plant pots need to have holes for water drainage. One tip that NetVoucherCodes has is to fill the pot with a layer of pebbles before placing your plants in there. This will still give the pot a section for drainage to prevent your plants from becoming overwatered.
Invest in a wooden palette
Wooden palettes are sometimes used when bringing in a lot of plants, while you’ll often see many around garden centres. If you don’t already have some they can be quite cheap to buy and then can be put to many great uses.
You can paint one a colour to suit your garden and repurpose it as a coffee table and if you feel like you need extra height you could always prop this up onto some bricks or another palette.
Transform an old ladder into a plant display
If you’ve got an old wooden ladder, why not cut it so you have around 2 or 3 steps, lean it against a wall and place some plant pots on there. You could even paint it a light blue or green to give a nice pop of colour to your garden.
Use candles to turn your used jam jars into lights
When you finish a jar of jam, instead of throwing it away, you you could wash it and then use it as a candle in the evenings. It’s a great way to create some ambience in the evenings and add a touch of magic to your garden.
Turn your old curtains into a hammock
If you have some old, heavy curtains lying around why not turn them into a cosy hammock for the summer? There are plenty of online tutorials to help with this and it’s pretty straightforward.
The key thing is making sure that your hammock is secure before you try laying in it.
Repurpose any old mirrors
Instead of throwing out mirrors that you know longer have a use for, find a suitable place in your garden to hang it. This will add another element to your outdoor space and the reflection will give the illusion that your garden is bigger.
Get creative with your plant pots
If you’re looking to spruce up your garden, you don’t have to purchase new plant pots. Take the ones you have and turn them into an art project by painting them with bright colours and different patterns to instantly breathe new life into your garden.
