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Are you hoping to give your garden or patio a refresh but have been put off by the costs? Or assumed it would be out of your budget? For Emma and Steve Hartgrove-Tubby, a U-shaped outdoor sofa was key to transforming their garden, but at £2,000 it was out of their budget – so the couple decided to make one themselves.
Living in a rented property in Harleston, even with a very understanding landlord who has allowed them to make updates, meant that Emma and Steve didn't want to spend too much as they couldn't exactly take it with them when they left.
'Because we are on a tight budget it means we are entertaining more at home, especially through the summer months. I said to my husband I'd love a U-shaped sofa. These were about £2,000 which I did not want to dip into the savings for, so I suggested he built one out of scaffolding boards. He was surprisingly up for the challenge!’ Emma told money-saving Facebook group, DIY On A Budget UK.
After scouring the Internet for inspiration and with an idea in mind, in just two days Steve had made Emma's dream outdoor sofa a reality.
Working as a scaffolder, Steve was able to utilise scrap materials. 'His boss was kind enough to give him the scaffolding boards for free and my hubby got him a crate of beer to say thank you,' Emma says. 'We bought some wood for £20 and built a frame, so we had something to attach the boards to and take the weight. The decking he built out of pallets about eight years ago had rotted, so I pulled it up and hubby built the new one.'
In terms of what they both did, 'he built the frame, the decking and the coffee table, and I did the rest,' Emma confirms.
With a bohemian style in mind, Emma bought the outdoor rug from B&M for £10, the fire pit from Amazon for £25, while the mirrors were just £3.99 each from Home Bargains. Emma's dad very kindly gave the couple all of the plants, and the big white planters were found on a Facebook site for £10 and then painted white. In total, the entire garden makeover cost just £200.
The couple now can't wait to relax and enjoy the outdoor space with their two children, friends and family over the summer months. And because they saved around £1,800 (in terms of the original price for the sofa) they have been able to put this money towards their dream forever home, which they hope to buy in the future.
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This colourful hammock, handmade from a durable blend of cotton and polyester, is a real statement. You can either hang it from the stand or secure it between two trees if you have a garden large enough.
On the hunt for a hanging hammock chair? Made from a polycotton weave, this lovely designe is great for both indoors and out. It will be delivered fully assembled, but it's worth knowing that you have to order the hooks separately. We love the fringing detailing, which adds a summer boho vibe.
With a cosy canvas hammock, this design has an all-over striped pattern, padded quilted design, and teakwood ends. Crafted from the brand's signature sturdy umbrella canvas, it can easily be taken to the beach or placed in the garden.
A garden sofa might provide a more communal spot to relax, but there's something incredibly calming about swinging on a hammock. We've got our eye on this brand new nautical-inspired hammock from Wayfair, which is available to snap up for just £23.99.
Brighten up your outdoor space with this rainbow-inspired double cotton hammock. It has a space-saving steel stand, carrying case (ideal if you want to take it on a picnic), and adjustable hammock hooks.
Relax on lazy summer days with this beige cotton hammock with matching tassels. Thanks to loops at either end, it's easy to hang onto tree branches in the garden. Simply pop your favourite cushions on and enjoy! Perfect for hanging around in the garden in style.
READ MORE: 14 stylish outdoor cushions to buy for your garden
This hanging hammock swing seat is brilliant for couples to soak up the sunshine in the garden together. Made from polycotton fabric with fringing, it's great for adding a statement to your outdoor space. This one is great to consider if you're looking to spend a bit more on a statement garden feature.
This blue stripe hammock from Cox & Cox has been made from cotton, polyester and teak wood. Sturdy and comfortable, it's the perfect outdoor accessory. The only problem would be having to come back inside once the sun disappears.
Quick and easy to assemble, this modern durable polycotton hammock bed is great for larger gardens. If you're after an investment buy, this one ticks all the right boxes. As well as being incredibly comfortable, the sheer fabric provides a shield from the sun and a sense of privacy too.
This 100 per cent cotton hanging hammock has comfort at its core. With knotted fringing at the sides and woven fixings, it's a brilliant style to add to your garden for summer. The classic black colourway makes it perfect for every garden design scheme, too.
READ MORE: 18 garden furniture sets perfect for your outdoor space
Take your relaxation one step further with this swinging hammock. With a soft fabric base and sturdy steel frame, it's perfect for those who don't have trees to hang their hammocks from. Best of all, the fabric can be easily removed and popped into the washing machine. The striped monochrome fabric brings style to your garden, while the base allows you to place it wherever is best.
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