How to transform your garden on a cheap budget explained
TRANSFORMING your garden is a big task which requires lots of patience, time and money.
Getting your garden to look picture-perfect often comes at a hefty price - but here's how to do it on a budget.
How much does it cost to transform a garden in the UK?
In the UK, the costs of transforming a garden can range depending on location, size and specific requirements.
For example, if you're looking to add special features such as a water fountain, fire pit or decking, you'll have to spend quite a bit.
According to Checkatrade, the cost of a garden makeover per square meter ranges from £30 - £150.
This means, that if your garden is an average size (the average size of a garden in the UK is 188 square metres), you'll be looking to spend around £5,600 - £30,000.
Of course, £150 per square meter is a hefty price, which not a lot of households can spare.
But this includes the cost of hiring a landscaper and paying for their labour and the materials they use.
If you decide to take on the task alone, the cost could drop to as little as £10 per square meter.
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How can I transform my garden on a budget?
There are some key elements which you need for a successful garden makeover on a tight budget.
The first staple of a beautiful transformed garden is the lawn.
According to Priceyourjob, the average cost of laying turf is around £700 per 50m² lawn, including supply and installation, or £14 per square meter.
But transforming your lawn can be even cheaper if you decide to lay the turf yourself - prices in B&Q for example are about £5 per square meter.
Flowers are another important visual element to add, and with the right care, can completely transform your garden.
Although there are hundreds of types you could go for, perennials like geraniums, lily-of-the-valley, siberian iris and daffodils will provide a great display for a small price.
For a medium-sized garden, flowers shouldn't cost more than £100.
Another relatively cheap way to make your garden a showpiece is planting small ornamental trees around the perimeter.
Cherry blossom trees, Japanese Maple trees and Crabapple trees are all under £50 each, and make for a great spectacle of colours.
Adding decking can be the most expensive element of your garden makeover.
Estimates can start at around £15 per square metre for cheaper woods like pine but can increase to £80 per square metre if you want to use more durable and hard-wearing woods, according to MyBuilder.com.
This makes an average 20m square deck anywhere between £300 and £1,600.
But using gravel to form a path or patio area can be a much cheaper alternative, costing a modest £10 per square metre.
How can I make my garden look more attractive to the eye?
Even on a tight budget, making your garden look attractive is easily achievable.
Installing some form of storage such as a shed is essential in keeping your garden clean and tidy and the first step to a stylish look.
If you already have a shed, don't forget to give it a fresh coat of paint - choose a colour that will match the rest of your garden furniture.
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Grouping small pots of colourful flowers is a cheap element to add for a stylish garden - you could even display them on things like a step ladder to create an effective garden feature.
Tidy up weeds and frame everything with gravel, so your garden looks more organised and easy on the eye.