If you have high hopes of inviting people over for Easter but haven’t got any garden furniture sorted, upcycling could be the answer to your woes.
The
UK is in the midst of a garden furniture shortage, largely down to supply issues between
China and the UK, but also because of increased demand as the easing of lockdown restrictions means people can socialise outdoors.
If you’re struggling to get hold of last-minute furniture – or simply want to make your garden look a little more exciting – it’s worth trying your hand at upcycling.
The premise is simple: find old furniture, pallets or home accessories (people are always giving stuff away for free on sites like Nextdoor,
Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree) and give them a new lease of life. Not sure where to begin? Here are some ideas to jazz up that garden or balcony of yours.1. Repurpose an old step ladder into a home for your potted plants and herbsSand it down, give it a lick of (outdoor) paint – the brighter, the better – and fill with your favourite plants. It’s a great way to keep herbs higher up, away from spraying cats. View this post on InstagramA post shared by All Things Home (@allthingshomeottawa) View this post on InstagramA post shared by Lisa’s Lockdown Garden (@lisas_garden2020) View this post on InstagramA post shared by Anju Gumber (@plantsandmore_)2.
fashion new furniture out of palletsFrom corner sofas to coffee tables, there’s a wealth of inspiration – and tutorials – for DIY pallet projects on
Instagram and Pinterest. We recommend using sites such as Nextdoor and Gumtree to ask if anyone locally has pallets they want to get rid of. Failing that, ask your local garden centre if they’ve any going spare. View this post on InstagramA post shared by S O P H I E ✨ (@apewwithaview) View this post on InstagramA post shared by Modern Gardens (@moderngardens) View this post on InstagramA post shared by Our Home Comfort ✨ (@our_home_comfort)3. Repurpose old tins as plant potsChances are, you’ve got some decent-sized tins lying around that could be repurposed into pots for your herbs and smaller outdoor plants. Clean them out, remove any labels (unless said labels are waterproof) and you’re good to go. Just make sure you pop some holes in the bottom so that water can escape. View this post on InstagramA post shared by Fiona Cumberpatch (@fionacumberpatch) View this post on InstagramA post shared by The Upcycled Homesteader (@theupcycledhomestead)4. Turn an old wheelbarrow into a rustic planterIf you’ve got a rusty old wheelbarrow sitting in the corner of your garage – or you know someone getting rid of one – take it off their hands and transform it into a flowerbed or herb garden. If it’s looking a little worse for wear, a lick of paint won’t do it any harm. View this post on InstagramA post shared by Succulent gift sunshine coast (@flowers_by_tina_succulentgifts) View this post on InstagramA post shared by @transformationof_1305. Transform old tyres into a rainbow garden bed Like wheelbarrows, old tyres can be painted to create a beautiful flowerbed. The bolder the colours, the better – especially when filled with vibrant flowers. View this post on InstagramA post shared by B U T T O N U P (@buttonupaccessories)6. Give old chairs a new lease of lifeMismatched wooden chairs can not only be jazzed up with a lick of paint, they can also be used as planters if they’re beyond repair. People are often giving away old chairs online so keep an eye out for some you can repurpose. Some have even fashioned multiple old chairs into one garden bench. View this post on InstagramA post shared by Re:think (@rethink_magazine) View this post on InstagramA post shared by Derwentside (@derwentside)7. Build a pond from an old bathtubThis is definitely a little more niche, as not everyone has an old bathtub lying around – but if you do, dig a bathtub-sized hole in your garden and fill it with your old bath to create a shabby chic garden pond. View this post on InstagramA post shared by caris j (@thehalffinishedhouse) You can find plenty more upcycling inspiration on Pinterest.Related...Want To Dejunk? Here Are The 5 Best Sites To Shift Your StuffThis Craft Blogger Has Ideas For All Those Jeans We're Not WearingBored Of The Same Four Walls? Tips To Spruce Up Your Space In 2021