WHATEVER outdoor space you have, it should spark joy.
If it’s not doing that, Fabulous is on hand to fix that.
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And it won’t cost you the earth, because unlike on Your Garden Made Perfect, there’s no £30k budget required.
It’s all about the little spruce-ups that make a huge difference.
And buying pieces that will work both indoors and outdoors for maximum value.
You don’t even need to pick up a paint brush, if you don’t want to…
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1. Light the way
While we all have a string of fairy lights we can pull out for a barbecue, outdoor lighting has had a serious makeover in the last couple of years.
Yes, there is still place for cute strawberry string lights like these. But to really up the luxe vibes, choose lighting that you’d find in the courtyard of a cool hotel.
Like this gorgeous Fatboy design, £58.50, which also comes in white and dark grey.
It’s cordless, so just pop out the bulb to recharge when needed and it will last an impressive eight hours on the maximum setting.
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I also love Marks & Spencer’s Colby table lamp, £39, which comes in five colourways including this colour-pop blue. It will look just as gorgeous in your living room as in your garden.
Yes, mushroom lamps are still hot.
Again, after eight hours of entertaining, pop it on charge.
2. Lay down the red (lobster) carpet
A gorgeous rug is the ultimate cover for dirty decking, nasty paving or even cold concrete.
Rugs can instantly brighten up even the dullest of backyards and the new generation of indoor/outdoor rugs are just as lovely in your home as in your garden.
Special shout-out here to Dunelm, which has an array of pretty designs on offer in a variety of sizes, like these two beauties…
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Clik here to view.
Clik here to view.
3. Mirror, mirror, on the wall
Every garden should have a mirror.
They bounce light and create depth for even the smallest of spaces, and create intrigue for those blessed with bigger spaces.
You can’t go far wrong with a window design, it’s a classic (and you can now get solar-powered ones that emit a glow come dusk), but I quite like the faux rattan design of this Habitat mirror as something a little different.
And at £19, the price isn’t too shabby either…
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4. Pick up a paint brush
Nothing will really change up a space as much as a fresh lick of paint in a vibrant colour.
Whether it’s an unloved wall, fence or even an old sideboard you want to transform into an outdoor kitchen – it’ll be well worth the couple of hours spent.
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I love the inspo from paint pro Annie Sloan in choosing one colour to tie it all together.
But Rust-oleum has a whopping 110 shades to pick from and you can whack the paint on wood, brick, concrete, stone and old garden furniture without using a primer for most projects.
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Fire Brick and Dijon are particularly gorgeous shades – £20.99 for 750ml.
Or if you’re looking for a bargain, Frenchic Paint has a bright yellow outdoor paint on sale for £13.46.
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5. Plump it up
Even if you did nothing but treat yourself to some new outdoor cushions this summer, it would still be a great investment.
A good cushion distracts from tired furniture, adds a nice colour pop and helps guests get comfy.
I love the bold coral design of this cushion, which comes in a set of two for £25 and has a cute checked design on the reverse.
While this bolster cushion brings all those plush hotel vibes, too.
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Clik here to view.
6. Take a seat
One of my pet hates?
Really cheap garden furniture that looks great, but is not at all nice on your derriere.
You think you’ve nabbed yourself a bargain, but you’ll end up buying again (just like your nan used to say).
This colour-pop chair, £79, is actually comfy and sturdy – so it won’t be around for long…
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I’m also a fan of the matching coffee table, £59.
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7. Welcome to the jungle
A garden is not a garden without plants.
And you always have room for one more.
For adding tropical vibes in seconds (without too much babysitting), it’s got to be a date palm, which you can nab from £15 at Patchplants.com.
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I also adore this orange tree, £55, for ultimate Mediterranean vibes.
As a heads-up – they do need feeding, so they’re a little more work.
But you will at least enjoy the fruits of your labour…
How To Make Your Small Garden Look Bigger
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Garden design expert Fiona Jenkins from MyJobQuote.co.uk has created a guide on how to make your small garden look larger.
Add shelves– for additional storage and place to hold more plants.
Use foldaway furniture – to take up less space when not in use.
Add privacy– with fencing, trellis, brick walls or hedging.
Add a water feature – to make your garden seem like a natural retreat.
Go bright– when choosing plants, opt for bold colours to make the space pop.
Use large planters– to get more plants in less space.
Plant vertically– add plants upwards to make your garden seem fuller, and therefore, bigger.
Use blue flowers at the edges – blue flowers and plants recede into the distance and make the garden appear bigger.
Grow tall plants– it’s better to think big when it comes to a small garden.
Keep clutter a minimum– as it can give the illusion of less space than there actually is.