If you are stuck at home during the Coronavirus and possibly on furlough, what can you do to liven up your outdoor space?

If your outdoor space is looking a bit tired or you want to use it more as an outdoor room for extra space or refuge while the whole family is on lockdown, here are a few tips to help give it a fresh appearance without breaking the budget.

Bring existing furniture outside

Have a look around inside the house for things you wouldn’t mind using outside. It might be a coffee table, a bedside table, a rug or some stools and chairs. By adding pieces of furniture, you can make the space more welcoming.

Experiment with different levels to place other objects on. Convert a ladder into a space-saving stand for flowers, arty objects and side tables. If you only have a metal ladder, add a few coats of paint and some shelves. Once you have things on different levels, you will be amazed at how versatile, useful and beautifully Bohemian-looking it can be.

Don’t worry if everything looks a bit tired. You can make the distressed look fit in with your garden easier than on the inside.

Move your existing set up around

Imagine your deck or patio as a living room and work out where your focal points are. Think about where the sun travels and mentally split your garden furniture up into sections so you have different spaces around the garden to go to at various times throughout the day.

Thinking of your whole garden as a few smaller areas means you can be more flexible with how you work with the items you add. For example, a couple of chairs with a small table in one area for morning coffee, and another couple of chairs with a couple of plants for a glass of wine while you watch the sun go down.

Think about accessories

Think creatively about what you have in your existing set up and in the cupboards where things are kept for best. For many people, the situation we are in has changed their perception of when things should be used.

Do you have a vase that only gets used a couple of times a year? Add a candle and place it outside. Do you have a tea set that was handed down from your Grandma, or your best wedding crockery that only gets used at Christmas? Take the cups, add tealights and get them outside. Little things can make a big difference.

The same goes for cushions. If you need to replace them when this all over, at least the shopping trip is going to be awesome. For the moment, they can add some luxury, comfort and colour to a paved area. If you don’t like the colour of something, take a look at what paint you might have left hanging around in the loft or garden shed. Think temporary change and give it a new coat. If you don’t have paint, see what nail varnishes or bunting and scarves you might have hanging around to add some colour and decoration.

Think about your lighting too. Maybe for now, you can bring a lamp outside for the evening and bring it in with you when you head to bed. You may have a set of twinkly Christmas lights which can be repurposed for outdoors.

It’s also fairly easy to make a sail for your garden to give you some shade throughout the day. Check the area you have and look around your garden for things to attach the scarf too. If you don’t have anything available, see if you can get some trellis you can tie it to, or just attach the fabric with some screws. You can also drape fabrics and sheets to create temporary walls to split your space up. Think Boho Chic and Moroccan markets for inspiration.

Planting wisely

Garden centres are beginning to deliver plants, so look out for local suppliers. But don’t go crazy on huge plants. Instead, look for smaller plants that will grow in the future. Also, go for some plants that you can put in pots (think saucepans, jars, old teapots and buckets).

Smaller plants are cheaper and will grow in the future, but by placing them in weird and wonderful objects and grouping them, you can create a really interesting visual experience. You can also move them around the garden throughout the summer to make the most of their blooms when you need them.

Include plant, flower, and herb varieties in your plant choices for maximum interest and look for different levels around your garden to place them. It’s also worth looking for places that you can attach plant pots using zip ties or small hooks.

Make a feature

Perhaps you have a back window with some space outside that you can make into an outdoor bar with chairs. If not, think about using a trolley or potting table and bring some glasses and bottles outside. Mix up your regular crockery, glassware and linen with your picnic utensils for a splash of colour.

You could add a bed to your space with colourful throws and pillows, creating a comfy space to hang out in. You’re not going to be using your spare bed for a while, so as long as everything that can get damp can be packed easily away overnight, why not think out of the box!

If you’re really at a loss, check out your local Facebook groups for objects that you can buy cheaply and think creatively. Use tyres as planters, crates and pallets as backdrops or storage areas and see what furniture is being sold. Many people are taking this time to clear out and are asking for donations to the NHS, so if you do pay some cash out, it will be going to a great cause.

Lastly, invest in a Bluetooth outdoor speaker. These don’t need to be expensive, can be delivered straight to your door and can add the finishing touch. Watching the sunset with a glass in your hand and listening to some chilled out tunes may help create the ultimate outdoor experience in this difficult time.