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If you are looking to redesign your garden or simply want to give it a DIY revamp, look no further. Planning a garden project can be a stressful experience, particularly as there is a lot to think about and consider. From choosing the best materials to working out what you want the end result to be; the whole process can be daunting. While you will want your garden to be ready and usable as soon as possible, it is important not to rush the planning process.

Taking your time and considering all aspects (and potential obstacles) of the project is essential if you want your garden to be completed to a high standard. From deciding your budget to receiving advice from the professionals, we’ve got you covered. Read on for our guide and advice on planning a garden project.

What are you using your garden for?

An important factor to consider is the purpose of your new garden. What do you intend to use it for? Why are you redesigning? Perhaps you simply want to give your garden a contemporary boost, or maybe you would like to create an outdoor dining area. Are you looking to create a space where the children can play? Would you like an area to relax and read? Whatever the reason you are updating your garden, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to get out of your end result.

Decide on a budget

Before you even start planning your new garden, it is sensible to come up with a realistic budget for your project. Consider how much money you want to spend on your refurb and stick to it. Redesigning or creating a whole new garden can be an expensive process, so it’s best to set a limit from the start. If you are on a tight budget and are looking to cut costs, it is a good idea to opt for low-cost design solutions that still have high impact. Examples of these solutions include using recycled, reclaimed or ‘fluid’ materials (such as gravel). We recommend considering:

 

 

Outdoor decking is a popular choice amongst DIY enthusiasts and landscape gardeners alike and the options really are endless. Investing in decking for your garden is inexpensive (and therefore a great option for those on a tight budget) and can actually add value to your home as a deck creates extra space. Decking materials are ideal for attractively covering uneven or damaged ground. Timber is environmentally friendly, naturally renewable and strong and durable.

If you are on a tight budget, decide what features of your garden can remain. Redesigning does not necessarily mean that you need to get rid of everything and completely start from scratch; there may be some features that will work well in your new design, such as a patio area.

Look for inspiration

Take a look at some garden plans and examples to gather ideas and inspiration. If a friend or family member has a garden that you like the look of, ask them how they planned theirs and what materials they used. Take a walk around local garden centres and public gardens for inspiration and make a list of all of the features that you like: bird baths, types of plant pots, containers and planter boxes, gravel and rocks, benches, water features, outdoor furniture, plants and trees, fencing.

Get advice from your local hardware store

Although a lot of the planning will require you to sit down to design and brainstorm ideas, there are a few things that you will need to speak to an expert about. In fact, heading to a hardware store near you and having a chat with someone who has experience with garden materials and design can be extremely valuable and beneficial.

Someone with experience at your local DIY store should be able to give you advice on the preparation required before you begin your big garden redesign. They will be able to guide you on the most suitable tools that you will need and the best materials for your garden and your budget.

Before heading to your local hardware store, work out the size of your garden. This will give experts a clear idea of how much space you are working with, allowing them to guide you on the most suitable options for you.

You should also consider garden maintenance. How much time will you be able to dedicate to maintaining your garden? How much time do you have available to actually complete your garden project? Both of these questions are extremely important when planning a garden redesign and can determine the entire layout of your plans.

If you don’t have too much time to dedicate to maintaining and keeping up the appearance of your garden once the project is completed, you may want to opt for an easy layout (as discussed above, timber decking is easy to maintain). If you do have time to maintain and garden, then planting flower beds and a variety of plants and trees can look great.

If you want your garden project to be a quick process then you should also consider design ideas that are easy and quick. For example, building a pond can be more time consuming than simply installing a water feature. Again, experts at your local DIY store should be able to help with advice on this.

Get your materials from your local hardware store

After you have got advice from your local DIY store, it is recommended to buy your materials from there. Although ordering online can seem more convenient, ordering from a local store means that you can visit in person and get expert advice on all of the products available. You can view materials firsthand, assess colours and pop back if need be. You are also supporting a local supplier.

Once you have your materials, create a redesign schedule

So, you have your materials, you have a clear idea of how you want to design your garden and you are ready to begin. Now is the perfect opportunity to create a redesign schedule which will help you to keep track of dates, work around your day-to-day schedule and come up with a realistic completion date. Phase your project into stages; this way your redesign will not seem as daunting. It is also important to consider the seasons. Naturally, you will want to complete your project during a period when there is enough light during the day and the weather is not too cold. The most ideal times for this are spring and summer.

Hudson Timber: your choice for timber and DIY in the North East

Here at Hudson Timber we supply timber, wood, home hardware and DIY products and have been the North East’s number one supplier for over 100 years. Our competitively priced products include decking, fencing, flooring, velux windows, worktops, stairparts, summerhouses, doors, sheet materials and more.

Hudson Timber is a family-run business that values each and every customer – whether you are a DIY enthusiast or a large trade client. Our friendly team are always on hand to provide expert opinions that you can trust at our North Shields workshop and showroom.

We also offer a handy delivery service for our customers who are unable to transport large purchases home, bringing all your materials swiftly to your chosen address. We deliver to locations throughout North East England, including Northumberland, Newcastle and North Shields. For more information or to get some expert advice, simply pop into our workshop or contact us today.