Garden ideas to upgrade your outdoor space

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Summer's finally on its way, so now's the time to give your garden a makeover. The best part? You can do it for less than £100 with our top ideas.

If you’re anything like us, you’ll be heading straight into the garden at the first hint of sunshine and double-digit temperatures.

And, if you’re anything like us, your garden may be looking a little worse for wear after a long winter of neglect.

That's why it's time to give your backyard a little well-deserved TLC.

We’ve put together the ultimate list of garden inspiration, offering simple, affordable ways to jazz up your outdoor space.

From fresh flowers to plants to shiny new outdoor furniture, keep reading for our hand-picked garden ideas that will give your space a new lease of life — all for under £100.

Read more: Patio decor ideas for all outdoor spaces

Has your garden seen better days? Don't panic — we’re here to help. Check out our favourite garden ideas that will take your outdoors to the next level.

Garden lighting can totally transform your space, as well as make it a more functional, inviting place for you to spend time in. Take a look at these garden lighting ideas to light up your yard.

String lights are an attractive, affordable way to incorporate lighting into your garden.

This pack of 40 LED string lights available at Amazon is fantastic for hanging on fences, garden walls or awnings. They’re solar-powered and offer up to 10 hours of light when charged during the daytime, making them both practical and eco-conscious.

They also have eight lighting modes and are available in warm yellow or multi-coloured if you’re after something a bit more fun.

Lanterns are a chic garden decor trend we’re loving right now, and this stylish offering from John Lewis makes a perfect choice.

It comes in three fashionable colours — grey, mustard and this gorgeous agave green — and is designed to mimic the look of a traditional paper lantern.

The LED light is USB-chargeable and can switch between seven colours and settings via remote control for easy use. The flame setting is particularly beautiful — it produces a flickering, candlelit effect that will add a relaxing ambience to your garden.

A fire pit is not only a brilliant source of light, but it also adds much-needed warmth on chilly evenings so you can enjoy your garden all year round.

This fire pit, available at Wayfair, is as stylish as it is practical. Made from sturdy steel, it comes with a lid, spark screen and cover and is designed to burn logs for a slow-burning glow and a chilled-out atmosphere.

Looking for an easy way to shake up your space? New garden furniture will do just the trick. Check out our top outdoor furniture picks and get ready to spend more time in your garden.

Patio furniture, like this bistro set from Asda George, is the ideal size for adding new life to small gardens.

The Heritage table and chair set comes in a navy blue hue that's perfect for summer, and is made from durable steel that's crafted to be resistant to corrosion.

The best part? There's no assembly required — just pop them out of the box, unfold them and you’re ready to enjoy your new furniture right away.

What's more fun than a swing chair? A swing chair that's available at a totally affordable price like this three-seater from Outsunny.

Perfect for relaxing on warm summer days, it comes with a canopy that provides crucial garden shade when the sun is at its brightest. The internal metal is powder coated for extra security, and it's designed with weather-resistant fabric to keep it looking its best for longer.

If you’re looking to give your garden a unique, bohemian feel, the Abbingt Hanging Chair makes an excellent purchase.

The comfortable, padded seat is made from 100 percent cotton and comes in a chic, nautical-inspired blue and white stripe design. It's a breeze to assemble and can be hung anywhere sturdy enough — indoors or outdoors.

They’re one of the biggest garden design trends right now, but what are vertical gardens?

Vertical gardens, sometimes referred to as living walls or green walls, are simply gardens that grow upwards. They’re a fantastic idea for small gardens that don't offer a lot of space to grow plants, as well as for balconies. Here's how to get started on your very own…

These hanging planter bags are a super simple way to start a vertical garden. They have seven pockets and are made from UV-resistant felt that will keep your plants protected. Grab a few of these and get planting.

Herbs are fantastic plants for beginner gardeners as they’re easy to care for and are always useful, making them a great option for a vertical garden.

This seed bundle available at Wilko contains basil, chives, mint, coriander, dill and parsley — essential ingredients for even the most inexperienced home chef. Plant them in pots, place them in your hanging planter bags and you’ll have a beautiful (and tasty) green wall in no time.

Another way you can create the look of a vertical garden is by using a trellis planter, like this one from Dunelm. Perfect for small spaces, it's made from durable iron and makes a great home for climbing plants.

Pretty and relaxing, water features make an excellent focal point for your garden. Check out our top picks and add some tranquillity to your outdoor space.

This modern water feature from GEEZY will look stunning in any garden.

It has an elegant design and a calming grey hue that will complement all decor styles. It doesn't require plumbing, instead using an electric pump to trickle the water in a continuous loop. White LED lights provide subtle illumination and look beautiful at night.

Chic and contemporary, this water feature by The Outdoor Living Company will add a touch of sophistication to your garden. It's solar-powered, meaning no fiddly wires, but it also has an internal battery that will keep it running when the sun refuses to come out.

A simple way to change up your outdoor space is by planting new flower beds and tidying up your borders. Shake up your garden landscaping with these options for raised beds and borders.

These gorgeous geraniums are the ultimate summer flower, blooming from June all the way until October. You get 12 plug plants for only £17.99, so you can have beds bursting with pops of pinks, reds, whites and purples without breaking the bank.

For 72 plug plants.

At just £19.99 for 72 plug plants, this set of mixed perennial flowers from Thompson & Morgan is excellent value for money. It comes with 12 varieties of perennials, including verbena and foxgloves, in a stunning range of colours that are guaranteed to transform your garden.

Ideal for both flower beds and garden paths, this edging roll from B&Q will get your garden looking neat and tidy in no time. It's designed to be rot and UV-resistant, and measures two metres long — so there's plenty to go around.

Growing your own fruit and veg isn't as tricky as it seems, and isn't just reserved for countryside cottage gardens, either. Take the plunge and start growing fruit and vegetables wherever you are with these super seeds.

Vegetable gardening has never been easier thanks to this seed kit available at Amazon.

It comes with everything you need to get started, including gardening gloves and plant markers. You get 32 different vegetable seed packets, so you can grow carrots, onions, lettuce and many more veggie favourites at home.

Strawberries are easy to care for and produce lots of tasty fruit, making them a great choice for novice gardeners. Perfect for growing in plant pots or hanging baskets, a packet of 10 seeds is a total steal at only £0.89.

If you’re planning on growing fruit and vegetables with larger seeds like tomatoes or pumpkins, a starter kit like this one from Thompson & Morgan can make the sowing process a lot easier.

It contains 35 coir plugs inside a plastic reservoir tray which, when filled with water, will continuously moisten the plugs for hassle-free growing.

According to The Royal Horticultural Society, the best place to grow vegetables is somewhere that gets a lot of sunlight that can also offer shelter from strong winds. The exceptions to this are leafy vegetables such as lettuce and spinach, which can thrive in the shade.

Before planting, take the time to find a spot in your garden that sees a lot of sun so you can maximise your vegetable growing potential.

Growing vegetables at home can sometimes feel like a bit of a guessing game — but it doesn't have to be! Here are some of our top tips for getting your vegetable garden up and running successfully:

Pick the right spot — As we mentioned above, choosing a sunny spot that provides plenty of sunlight and shelter is ideal.

Start with easy vegetables — Not all vegetables are created equal. If you’re new to gardening, start with easier vegetables like beetroot, potatoes and tomatoes before tackling ones that are more complicated to care for.

Prepare the soil — Make sure to keep the soil free from pesky weeds, and add compost for an extra boost.

Keep your crops protected — Provide shelter from cold winds, and put up barriers in the form of copper tape to deter pests like slugs and snails.

Spending time outside is not only fun, but it's actually great for our health, too. That's why it's a brilliant idea to take the time to make your garden an inviting space you want to spend as much time in as possible.

All our garden ideas can really help transform your space. And whether you’re looking to freshen up your yard with pretty new flower beds, add some stylish lighting like the John Lewis Harmony Outdoor Lantern, or incorporate a relaxing water feature like The Outdoor Living Company Solar Water Vase, you can do it without spending a fortune, either.

Prices updated on 09/05/2023. We are not responsible for any changes to the prices mentioned above.

Always up to date with the latest shopping trends, Christina Constantinou is keen to share her love for quality products with Best Buys' readers. She has experience writing for the tech industry and enjoys browsing deals on gadgets and fashion accessories.