quick crafts
Party piece
Use empty drinks bottles to make a hoopla game for the kids. Swirl a little paint around the inside of the bottles to colour and leave to dry. Pour sand into each one to give some stability and use hoops made of garden wire or twine.
Pretty idea
Make a bunting cake topper with coloured washi tape. Take a length of baker’s twine and fold tabs of tape along it, cutting them into triangular flags. Hang across two paper straws, tying them in place, and insert into the cake.
Do it yourself
Construct simple wooden planters from surplus pieces of wood or offcuts. Use a few nails to fix together, line with plastic, then fill with soil and plant up with colourful flowers, before popping on the patio or a windowsill.
Terrific tins
Upcycle used food cans to create cute lanterns for the garden. Remove the labels, give the cans a wash and paint or spray them in a variety of colours. To decorate the painted cans, use a large nail and hammer to punch patterns around the outside.
dine alfresco
Give an old garden dining set a fresh new look with a lick of sage green paint. A metal set can easily be spray-painted – just remove any old, flaking paint first. A wooden set will need a quick sand down, before painting with exterior wood paint.
What a spread!
Pack the most stylish picnic in the park by wrapping sandwiches in baking paper and string, popping cake slices into pretty paper boxes and making individual labels for each person’s lunch choice. Create a bottle carrier out of a tea towel by wrapping up two bottles, then tying at the top with a knot.
Fancy f lutter
Instantly give your garden a festival feel by tying lengths of ribbon and lace to the backs of garden chairs, so that they flutter in the wind. Do the same with benches and even pin a few lengths to the corners of a parasol.
Table treats
Use glass jam jars to hold all your table-top essentials when entertaining in the garden. Take a length of wire and wrap it around the top of each jar, using a further length to create a handle, so that it can easily be passed around guests. Decorate with ribbons.
Clever trick
For a low-maintenance alternative in outdoor spaces, swap real grass for faux. It’s easy to clean, super hard-wearing, and fade-resistant against the elements – plus, you can often get great deals on offcuts, too. Make a storm lantern by coiling some rope around a large glass vase or bottle – take it 5-7cm up from the base and fix in place with a glue gun. Add a little sand and a candle.
Garden revamp
Give cheap plastic planters a realistic-looking cast iron, bronze or limestone finish using an easy treatment – Rust-oleum’s Natural Effects spray paint, £9.99 for 400ml, Homebase.
shady spot
Keep cool by rigging up a simple shade sail using a piece of fabric or an old sheet – simply tie rope or string to each corner and secure to hooks, windows or even a drainpipe. Hang some pretty bunting, too, for decoration.
Pretty picnic
Raise your picnic game to new heights by stacking a couple of pallets or crates for a makeshift table outside. Surround with cushions and throws – you could even set up a tent or tepee nearby for a cosy spot when the sun starts to set. Hang solar lights for a twinkling display.
Jewel brights
impress your guests with an alfresco dinner party full of colour and pattern. start with a bright tablecloth or piece of fabric, then layer up with contrasting napkins and jars of vivid flowers. Play with the heights of your decorations, too – tall candles will work perfectly.
No-sew cushions
make cushion covers for the garden from colourful silk scarves. lay a scarf flat and pop a cushion pad in the centre, bring in two opposite corners and fold under. Bring in the remaining two corners and knot in a bow in the centre to secure.
nice ice
Cool down drinks in style by making floral ice cubes. Fill an ice cube tray with water, then float a small flowerhead or some petals on top. Pop in the freezer for at least four hours.
Come on in!
Welcome guests to your barbecue or get-together with a handmade sign. Paint a board of mdf or plywood with black chalkboard paint, then use chalk to write a message or give directions to the bar.
Bottoms up!
create an outdoor drinks station for guests to help themselves at your next summer soiree. line up glasses with paper straws and flags, write out a bespoke drinks menu so they know what’s on offer, and decorate the table with flowers and fruit to be added to each drink.
Secret garden
Turn a corner of your garden into a secluded hideaway by setting up seating among tall planters and hanging baskets. Decorate it with plenty of comfy cushions in vibrant colours to match the f lowers.
Festival fun
make floral bunting to hang over your outdoor table, or line your fence or balcony. cut simple triangles from old tea towels and napkins or recycle old shirts and dresses, and sew along a length of bunting tape, leaving about 30cm each end to tie up.