WE'RE being encouraged to spend the majority of our time at home this summer – so it's well worth ensuring your outdoor space is a haven to spend time in.
If you're short on funds, one talented woman has revealed that transforming your back yard into a stunning space can be done on a budget, using bargains from B&M, Amazon, eBay, Aldi and The Range.
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The DIY fan, called Tara, posted on Facebook group 'B&M Bargains and More' explaining how she has been able to turn her "tiny garden" into a stunning space during the coronavirus lockdown.
She shared images of what it looked like before, showing an unloved lawn that was otherwise bare.
However, the woman – who also showcases her beautiful home on Instagram account @ahintofluxe – then revealed a series of snaps depicting how she had rendered it unrecognisable.
She had added stylish grey tiles and comfy seating as well as cool lighting, a drinks trolley and plenty of plants – and the result looked like it had cost a fortune.
However, captioning the pictures, Tara wrote: "Tiny garden transformation featuring many B&M bargains.
"Rug (waterproof) – Amazon, bar sign- Amazon, all fairy lights- B&M (solar powered), drinks trolley- eBay (upcycled- you can see the before and after on @ahintofluxe on Instagram), table and chairs – B&M, topiary trees – Aldi, cocktail sign – eBay."
Speaking to Fabulous, she explained: "I started looking for home inspiration on Instagram two years ago while renting. But it wasn't until I bought this property, the first I've owned, that I've been able to make my own mark.
"I knew I couldn't maintain grass, as I had no space to store a mower or strimmer.
"The paving tiles were the most expensive part of the project. I paid about £1000 for ceramic garden tiles from Topps Tiles, which also covered a front area too.
"Everything else in my garden was from Amazon, eBay, B&M, Aldi and The Range. I spent around £400.
"I used artificial plants and flowers in areas of my garden where I knew plants would not grow, and real plants where possible."
Tara also kept costs down by purchasing most of her garden items at the end of last summer when many shops were clearing out stock, and looking for second-hand items she could give a makeover.
She said: "I was able to get a lot of items half price, such as my table and chairs.
"Also, B&M have a scanner app where sometimes items scan for less than the listed price. They often do this with seasonal items, and I have seen garden fairy lights for only £1 instead of £8.
"It’s also good to get creative. I recently found a vintage drinks trolley on eBay for £40 and was able to upcycle it using spray paint that I already had, and sticky back plastic from eBay. New drinks trolleys of a similar style cost over £200.
"My next project is to make a garden bar out of pallets, which you can often find online for free on Facebook Marketplace."
The woman's Facebook post went down well with fellow social media users, who left more than 5,500 'likes'.
One person wrote: "WOW LOVE IT."
Another commented: "It's like an outdoor living room."
A third shared: "Stunning!!!!!! Well done."
And a fourth added: "What a transformation."
In other homeware news, we told you how a mum has transformed her grubby old stairs for just £10 using Poundland buys.
We also revealed how a bloke has created a stunning garden bar using "tatty old pallets" and Wilko lights.
And picking light-coloured pots for your garden means you can water plants less.
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