We can't always afford to buy everything new. If you scout around car boot sales and charity shops you may find items you can turn into garden furniture at little cost, and save your money for what really matters. It's important to invest in the most comfortable seating you can afford: a cheap table is nothing to worry about but a cheap chair or lounger makes the whole summer uncomfortable, so spend your money on comfort and keep your pennies for the non-essentials Here are a few ideas to get you thinking.
At the Chelsea Flower Show this year, we saw sewing machine bases, old school desks, watering cans, old sinks etc being used as plant holders or even as pillared table legs. School desks were used as a combination table and plant holder by fastening small trellis sections to the lifted lids and growing miniature climbers like ivy up them, set in small pots - the space below is ideal for holding drinks, books and sun tan lotion.
Use old trunks. Make a trunk into an outdoor seat by adding a cushion. Place a circular piece of glass on top to make a coffee table you can drag around outside.
Baskets can be decorative in every part of the garden. Use them on the wall instead of hanging baskets - filled with silk flowers, put them on the paving to store clothes, outdoor cushions etc. If you don't care for their natural colour, spray-paint them in vivid shades to match or contrast with your summer flowers.
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