With the majority of people struggling to manage their home finances at the moment buying items for the garden has gone down the list of priorities, but there are ways that you can spruce up the garden without breaking the bank and create a peaceful haven for you and your family to enjoy.

A cheap tin of fence paint bought from a discount shop can be used on sheds, fences and wooden furniture and can make a real difference to the garden. Look for end of line paints or damaged tins as these will probably be cheaper.

Many people have found that wooden pallets can be used for all sorts of things in the garden and can usually be sourced for free. They can be used to create seating areas or for building raised beds and once sanded and stained or painted make a great addition to any garden.

If you have a paved or concreted patio that is looking a bit tired giving it a blast with a jet wash can make a big difference to the appearance. If you do not like the colour of the surface it can always be painted with masonry paint to change the look completely.

So, with a little bit of money and a lot of creativity your garden can be given a new lease of life and be enjoyed throughout the summer and beyond.