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Ever since the Covid-19 pandemic where our outdoor spaces became an all-important place to socialise, people have been increasingly invested in creating their own garden idyll. In the UK, this was evidenced by a huge spike in sales of plants and garden furniture during 2020 and 2021. Suppliers are still struggling to keep up with the unexpected demand which has been exacerbated by recent transport issues influenced by global fuel shortages.
Instead of waiting months for an order to arrive, you can exercise your craft skills and build your own garden furniture. Not only will this save you time, but it’s also the more eco-friendly and cost-effective option. Creating your own furniture also gives you the joy of having a unique piece, plus the benefits of being able to tailor your design to suit your exact needs.
Simple DIY furniture ideas for the garden
Here are three simple ways you can use DIY furniture to spruce up your garden.
Add a seating area
Creating a seating area in your garden allows you to relax in the sunshine, or entertain your guests on warm days and light evenings.
Simple benches and even a slatted coffee table can be created using pallets. If you’re keen on being sustainable in the garden you can use salvaged wood, but beware of protruding nails or staples. Armed with suitable tools such as a Milwaukee nail gun you can produce a sturdy and stylish bench in just a couple of hours. If you’re also making a coffee table, match it to the height of your bench using double or triple-stacked pallets to raise it off the ground.
Don’t forget to add a protective stain or varnish to your wood to help it last longer in an outdoor location.
Make a display
A display is a fun way to add an artistic touch to your garden. For example, you could create an open-sided cabinet with widely-spaced shelves and use this to showcase your favourite flowerpots, or store specific types of plant such as a herb garden.
An even easier way to make shelves is to attach shelving boards straight to a wall. This is ideal for the side of a garden shed.
Other DIY furniture display options include a ladder – great for trailing plants – or a cabinet that can be used to store anything from drinks to gardening tools. Don’t be afraid to get creative with coloured paints and patterns such as florals, spots, and stripes to give your displays extra wow factor.
Go wild
As well as considering how to use furniture to transform your garden, think of things that you can build to benefit local wildlife.
For example, why not put together a bird box in preparation for birds nesting next spring? You could also create a hedgehog house where these elusive nocturnal creatures can rest and hibernate, or have fun making a bee hotel. Children will love monitoring the entrances to see if you have guests, and you’ll also be doing your bit to garden for wildlife and help nature flourish.
Have you made some DIY furniture for the garden?
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