As we move into spring, many of us will be heading out into the garden over the bank holiday weekend and making plans to get it summer-ready.
And sprucing things up won’t just provide a pleasant place to enjoy the change of seasons. Some garden DIY can also make all the difference if you are in the process of selling your home.
Having a tidy and uncluttered garden might not significantly increase the monetary value of your property, but it adds something potentially even more valuable in today's challenging property market: immediate appeal.
When potential buyers visit a home, they typically form their initial impressions within seconds. Surprisingly, it's often minor details that influence their decisions the most.
An overgrown garden can quickly turn into a major deterrent, giving buyers the impression of extra work and potential hidden expenses.
Here are my favourite ways to improve the look of your garden - without having to break the bank.
Keep it simple
Always stick to the 'rule of three'. This design trick is perfect for small, compact gardens and helps you avoid cluttering or making the space too busy. After all, more stuff doesn't mean more space.
You can apply the rule of three to everything: what materials you use, plant pots, and colour palette.
For instance, stick to three types of flooring, such as gravel, stone and grass. Or, if you want to make an artistic statement, have three identical plant pots lined up against a wall. Always go for classic neutral shades like terracotta.
Vertical planting
Vertical gardens don't just look good, but are environmentally friendly and easy to look after. And it means you can grow way more in a much smaller space - if that’s what you want to do.
So, whether you choose decorative plants or edible flowers and herbs, a vertical garden will provide you with a stunning visual experience.
You can add planters to walls and fences, or simply use stools and upside-down plant pots to create height and narrative.
Add mirrors
Contrary to popular belief, mirrors are not just for bathrooms and corridors; they make a wonderful addition to any garden.
They're even more effective when you have limited space, as they immediately make everything feel more spacious and light.
Add mirrors amongst plants or in darker corners, so every inch of your garden is utilised in a positive way.
Create zones
This is a great trick to help you get more out of your garden. Put down a patterned rug and set up a seating area, even if it’s only a chair and table.
Setting up different zones creates an illusion of space and creates more useful areas.
A great way to use one of these zones is to create a home cinema in your garden. This can be done on a very small budget and doesn’t require a great deal of room.
Solid colour walls that are smoother work best for casting the movies onto - garage walls are a perfect option.
As long as your internet is fast enough to stream movies, you’ll have no problems setting up your own cinema.
Upcycle
You will likely be surrounded by a mountain of quirky containers in your kitchen cupboards. Empty food tins can be washed up and the edges smoothed to be transformed into plant pots, making it essentially free.
When you look at the household items you have around you, a surprising number can be upcycled in this way.
Not only will you be saving money by not buying brand-new plant pots, but they also make unique features in a greenhouse or garden, and can become a talking point for guests and make your garden look much neater and more stylish.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Jonathan Rolande shares his expertise on transforming your garden for house sale success
Jonathan Rolande
Sow the seeds for savings
If money's tight and investing in potted plants and bulbs seems too pricey, consider sowing some wildflower seeds to see cheap garden ideas in action.
If you're looking to create a vibrant wildflower garden, using seeds is your best bet. These can be conveniently found and purchased at most garden centres and are available in a wide range of colours and styles.
Select mixes that include low-maintenance varieties like ox-eye daisy, corn poppy, cornflower, and corn marigold. Just be careful where you plant them: they can spread and grow fast.
Jonathan is the founder of House Buy Fast. For more free advice, visit www.jonathanrolande.co.uk
