40+ genius garden upcycling ideas to save you money

Revamp your outdoor space for less

The beauty of garden upcycling ideas is that they are full of character as well as frugal. Instead of splashing out on new garden furniture this year, why not breathe new life into old household items and transform them into statement pieces for your outside space?

From DIY firepits, painted patio sets and rustic plunge pools to innovative planters and brightly coloured bunting, these eco-friendly garden projects are the perfect way to upgrade your backyard on a budget. Read on to get inspired...

Plant up a butler sink

Looking for vintage garden ideas? Butler sinks are ready-made planters with built-in drainage!

Sturdy, striking, and built to last, the thick stone will protect plants and vegetables from the elements, while a deep sink will allow roots to stretch out.

Mount a hallway shelf

If you are redecorating your hallway repurpose entryway storage by fixing it to an exterior wall.

The top of this shelf can be used for decorative purposes with lanterns, wreaths and potted plants, just the same as indoors. But, the coat hooks will now be more useful as tool storage, especially if mounted above a potting table.

Indulge in an outdoor kitchen

Get cooking alfresco with a show-stopping garden upcycled outdoor kitchen. Use an old piece of furniture as the frame such as a used desk, and top the worktops with leftover tiles or slat wood from a previous project.

Painted wood pallets mounted above the counter will offer open shelving storage for herbs and utensils. Finish with galvanised buckets for a sink and water tank.

Jazz up a garden bench

Give an old garden bench a new lease of life with a splash of colour. A fresh lick of paint works wonders on tired wood; sand it down and brush off dust with a clean, dry paintbrush then apply the reviving colour with two coats.

Or, make the most of aged metal by leaving the frame as is and popping a handmade or shop-bought seat pad on top. The features and fretwork of this vintage garden bench catch the eye teamed with a pretty blue cottage-style cushion.

Make your own bunting

Create a party atmosphere in the garden by hanging up handmade bunting. This thrifty garden upcycling idea can be made using fabric from unwanted clothing or tea towels.

They are so easy to make. Cut out triangles for the fabric and glue them together. Or, for a more professional look sew them together and thread them onto ticking tape or ribbon. We love this smart red, white and blue design. If short on time why not buy the bunting and upcycle with fairy lights for an evening alfresco gathering?

Pretty up a picnic table

Enjoy your patio or decking area beer garden-style with a picnic table that's pure upcycled magic.

For an instant glow up why not add a bright colour or pattern to the wooden table and benches rather than a regular wood stain? Think bright colours to make it stand out like this happy teal blue hue. Or, perhaps mask up chevrons with decorator's tape or stencil a tile effect on the tabletop?

Build a bug hotel

Encourage pollinators into your garden by building a five-star bug hotel. The eco-benefits are enormous, as some mini beast guests will kick out or consume visitors we don't want in our gardens such as those that eat our beautiful blooms and their foliage.

Use unwanted garden items such as bricks, tiles, plant pots and chicken wire to build up luxury living quarters with plenty of tiny holes for insects to check into. Add natural materials such as straw, sticks and pinecones for when room service is required.

Add a corner sofa

Build a low-level sofa for the whole family to chill out on with wooden pallets. Look online for professional style plans or create a base with one or more pallets.

Finish off with pallet-sized outdoor seat pads and layer with earthy-toned outdoor cushions. Leave the wood bare for a natural look or paint it to match your garden colour scheme.

Elevate your view with a shower curtain

Small garden, dull shed or ugly wall you'd rather hide? Shower curtains are a cost-effective way to create the view of your dreams in your very own garden.

From a cottage retreat to a meandering pathway through a forest, there are so many designs to choose from and they are simple to hang. Best of all they are splash-proof so are suitable for all weathers.

Rope off an area

Use thick, old rope to zone off an area or frame a pathway to light the way as the night draws in.

This rustic version comes already fitted with LED lights, but entwining microlight wire around upcycled rope will achieve the same effect. Steal the style by draping the rope from shepherd's hooks staked in the ground to lead the way.

Repurpose a wardrobe

Save an old wardrobe from landfill by giving it a whole new purpose in the garden. These are two versions of the same idea and we love them both.

Wardrobe doors have been removed and a bench seat, shelf and plant hooks added to create a mini garden room with storage. Or is it an arbour-style sheltered garden bench seat? Whatever the purpose it's genius. We can't decide which look we'd go for, exotic and warm tomato red or soothing and cool pistachio green – how about you?

Paint a tiled terrace floor

Wooden decking or a tiled terrace is a great way to zone an outdoor eating area or social space. If you want something a little more unique than standard wood planks or concrete why not add your own design?

Pretty Victorian-style stencils will revamp a traditional garden with floorwork that is seriously impressive. Or, for something more contemporary, this stencilled chevron-rug idea, painted in black and white, injects instant geometric character.

Install a dip tank bath

Fancy a rustic and more cost-effective alternative to a revitalising plunge or paddling pool? An upcycled bathtub or dip tank will make a practical and more Insta-worthy outdoor bathing area.

This oversized luxury tin spa bath is available to hire as part of a holiday home called The Sculpture's Gardens. We can't think of a better excuse to book a getaway to the English countryside to steal some upcyled garden ideas.

Grow in a colander

Old kitchen equipment makes for fun garden hack projects, especially for vegetables or seasonal blooms.

Look for utensils with ready-made drainage like plastic carrier bag storage or a metal colander. Then plug in seedlings such as chillies, cherry tomatoes or strawberries, hang up and watch your fruits grow! Or, plant colour-coordinated spring bulbs and watch the display slowly take shape.

Plant a privacy screen

A garden privacy screen can make a real focal point, as well as shield your outside space from any overlooking properties. A wood pallet wall will add plenty of character and structure for foliage to climb up. Why not make your screen work even harder by using scraps of wood to construct simple tiered flower boxes on the pallet?

Sand down the wood and paint. Once dry, screw post anchors to the base of your pallet walls to ensure they remain firmly in the ground. Then, line the new pockets with pond liner and gravel for drainage. Next add potting soil and your chosen flowers, succulents or herbs. For more privacy, make several screens and screw them together.

Build your own firepit

Reclaimed clay bricks that can withstand high temperatures are convenient building blocks for creating your own simple, low-cost firepit. But safety is of the utmost importance when carrying out this garden project.

Choose a practical position away from trees, bushes and buildings. If the area is lawned, remove the turf, dig an 11.8 inch (30cm) hole and fill it with gravel for drainage. Build up your firepit in layers around a central square measuring no more than 22 inches (55cm) across. Finally fill the pit with 2.8 inches (7cm) of gravel.

Bring out your own birdbath

Introduce wildlife into your garden by offering birds a perching spot to bathe or drink. This unwanted shallow dish is the ideal depth for garden birds to enjoy.

Encouraging feathered friends into the garden is a practical and pretty source of natural pest control. Once hydrated and rested they'll want to fill up on plant munching aphids and bugs. So, remember to replenish your upcycled refreshment station often.

Plant up a wheelbarrow

Before you throw away your old garden equipment, think about how your time-worn items could be given another purpose.

This well-loved but rusty wheelbarrow has been converted into a quirky and endearing planter blooming with character. It gives year-round colour to the garden too, thanks to a considered planting combination of colourful blooms. As with any planter be sure to add drainage. Punch some holes in the underside before planting out.

Design a garden mural

Give a concrete courtyard a Moroccan-style twist by painting a striking mural with universal paint and stencils.

Alice Richardson-Payne collaborated with Makeityours.co.uk to freshen up her backyard with Riad vibes. To open up the space and create a bright canvas Alice started by painting the walls all white and added a scallop-edged, two-tone feature wall to add dimension. This was painted using a dinner plate as a template. Finally, a Moroccan stencil design was used to create a striking silhouette garden feature.

Hang up a potted wind chime

Add a musical tinkle to your garden with a whimsical wind chime.

Create your own DIY version with old plant pots, twine and objects that gently jingle together such as wooden balls, metal beads or bottle tops. Hang them together from trees with rustic garden string or ribbons. This vivid version has a geranium planted in the pot at the top for an extra boost of strong but natural colour.

Reflect with a window frame

Mounting a mirror in a small garden is a good idea as it maximises space by reflecting light. Look for old versions in flea markets for added character – the rustier the better.

Or, an upcycled window frame mirror with shutters can add to the illusion, as at first glance it would look as though it could be a window to a whole other garden room.

Buckle up with vintage belt lanterns

Outdoor lighting adds an ambient finishing touch to garden terraces and alfresco eating spaces at night. These upcycled jam jar lanterns secured with old vintage belt handles will cast a warm glow across a patio set.

Place a layer of pebbles in the bottom of the jam jar to keep the pillar candles in place, but be careful to keep them away from any flammable materials.

Create stylish storage seating

Need more garden storage and seating? Source an old hallway storage bench from an online marketplace to revamp and reuse in the garden. Clean the surface area by wiping it down with a damp cloth. Once dry, lightly sand and dust the wood for a smooth finish.

Prep with a primer if necessary or choose a wood paint that can be applied directly onto wood. Apply a few coats of your chosen shade. Once dry, just add outdoor cushions and your storage seating is ready to go.

Hang hat planters

Why not transform old straw hats into wall-hanging garden planters for something a bit different? Use a nail to hammer two holes on either side at the top of a zinc flowerpot. Cut a length of strong twine about 20 inches (50cm) long and feed it through the holes, knotting both ends to secure it in place.

Then, cut a generous hole in the crown of an old straw hat so the pot can be placed inside. Secure the pot to the hat with glue. Carefully place flowers such as geraniums into the planters, allowing the flowers to emerge from the hat. Then, hang your quirky planter from the twine on a fence or screen.

Repurpose rubber boots

Wellington boots, also known as goloshes or rubber boots, are certainly an 'oldie but goodie' when it comes to a fun alternative garden planter. The brightly coloured waterproof rubber makes them ideal hardy containers.

Smaller sizes are endearing and usually become redundant first as your little ones grow out of them. A fun upcycling project to do with the kids, you can follow the tutorial by Cassie Fairy on her My Thrifty Life blog.

Display picture frames

We love discovering new ways to utilise our old stuff. Old picture and photo frames are a fabulous way to add an upcycled display to your garden wall.

Paint them various shades that match or contrast, staple chicken wire across the back to create a base, then fill the centres with rich green moss, small ferns or succulents. Choose a weatherproof paint or seal the frames with a varnish to protect the wood from rotting.

Liven up wicker furniture

Wicker garden furniture is a hot trend, so don't throw your beaten old chairs out just yet.

Instead, give them a breath of fresh citrus air with tropical-coloured spray paint. A zingy orange shade teamed with hot pink cushions is sure to make a statement.

Put up a pallet planter

Wooden pallets are cheap and extremely versatile and have become a hero in the upcycling world.

You don't need to be a professional tradesman or avid gardener to create a feature wall planter like this. Stained a rich teak this part-dismantled structural pallet planter is super simple to make and utlra-striking to look at.

Replace a chair seat

Here's a clever idea to give a broken wooden chair new purpose. Pull out the seat and slot in a planter pot to fit. It's a simple yet super effective way of lifting a large pot off the ground.

Personalise a garden trellis

Climbing plants are easy to grow and will add vertical dimension to your garden. Why not give them a novel and interesting upcycled wall trellis to lean on?

Tie string to kitchen utensils to create a rope ladder shape and hang them above a planter. Slats from an old single bed also look visually effective.

Repaint large tyres

Durable tyres make fabulous plant protectors but can look cumbersome and ugly.

Update their kerb appeal by giving them a vibrant change of colour. To be on the safe side, as tyres can contain chemicals, they are best used for decorative gardening purposes rather than edible.

Add quirky features

Add some vintage style with a traditional bicycle. They can really brighten up your outdoor space in a playful fashion.

Spray the old frame a bright colour and then use the handlebar basket as a pretty floral planter filled with blooms. Balance the look with an additional basket at the back.

Roll in a cable table

Large empty cable reels, used originally for electrical wiring, look industrial and quirky used as garden occasional tables.

Simply turn them on their sides and add a coat of paint to the table surface if you fancy. Why not decorate them with stencil patterns, mosaic tiles or go freestyle? The choices are endless.

Spray tin cans

There is no need to spend a fortune buying new plant pots when you can easily add a pop of colour to old ones you might have lying around. Or, better still repurpose tin cans by washing them out and spraying them with colour. Be sure to punch holes in the bottom for drainage.

Choose your favourite colour combinations, from bright pinks to soft blues, and using a selection of spray paints transform a drab corner into a colourful feature. Then fill with pretty plants or fragrant herbs.

Transform a bedroom dresser

An old chest of drawers makes a marvellous feature planter as the drawers can be pulled out at different levels to display foliage. Choose varieties that like to overhang to create a waterfall effect.

This dresser painted sunshine yellow looks stunning filled with plants and set against a black contrasting background.

Plant in vintage chimney pots

Reclaimed chimney pots are another interesting option that works super well as upcycled garden planters.

Often made from terracotta or clay they withstand the elements, add height to gardens and look ornamental. Pop a lavender in the top to offer a classic and fragrant display that may grow to eye level.

Dress a ladder

Incorporate height into your garden by using an old stepladder to display potted plants.

Add extra colourful personality by painting each step a different shade with chalk paint and then seal with water-based polyacrylic varnish.

Refresh a bistro table

It's not just wooden garden furniture that can benefit from a new coat of paint. Metal garden furniture can be transformed, especially if updated with a zingy on-trend colour.

This bistro set has been upcycled with a combination of gloss lacquer combined with chalk paint, so you can dine alfresco in style! After sanding and cleaning, apply chalk paint and then finish with a coat of a hard-wearing, water-based polyacrylic varnish to seal and protect it against the elements.

Jolly up the shed

Looking for a weekend DIY project? Transform a tired shed into a colourful, country-cottage outbuilding with a coat of fresh green paint that will blend into the garden.

Turn floral tea towels into curtains to hang in the window and display wildflower blooms in jam jars mounted by the door.

Feed birds with teacups

A DIY teacup cup bird feeder is super cheap and easy to make. Take an old teacup and saucer from the cupboard, stick the cup to the saucer with superglue and once secure hang the feeder from a tree with twine or ribbon from underneath the saucer or the cup handle.

Sprinkle seed mix around the saucer and in the cup. Birds will love the shelter of the teacup to hide in too.

Paint a cupboard door

Retro louvre cupboard doors can be reused in your garden as pretty plant displays. Paint and hang with rope to a brick wall and fix small terracotta pots to the slats with wire.

These purple pansies set off the lavender-blue background perfectly. What a delightful addition to a dark corner.

Kick back on a chair bench

Instead of throwing out those old wooden dining chairs why not create a stunning piece of unique garden furniture instead? This rustic tree swing looks super inviting and is sure to turn heads.

Remove the legs from three painted farmhouse-style chairs and securely attach to a piece of prepared plank wood. Then hang with strong rope by each corner to a tree that can bear the weight safely.