Is your garden looking dull and worn and in desperate need of some TLC in the run-up to the warmer weather?
Well, for anyone lacking inspiration, look no further… because interior designer Anjelica Delfino, of Valspar Paint, has shared her top tips about how to give your country retreat a shine on a limited budget.
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Speaking exclusively to Fabulous Digital, she reveals everything from £3.50 B&V bargain that adds a “magical” dimension to your outdoor space, to the €4 plant that everyone needs.
Moreover, the interior designer reveals the exactly colors to choose to get a sophisticated look and the cheap trick to make a smaller garden look much bigger…
ADD A MAGICAL DIMENSION WITH LIGHT
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Anjelica begins by revealing that her first piece of advice for brightening up a tired-looking garden without spending a small fortune is to add an element of light.
“Incorporating fairy lights or solar panel lighting around your paving really helps to add a wonderful magical dimension – especially in warmer weather when you're outside enjoying your time in the garden,” she says.
“It's low maintenance and cheap, and really just adds a great fairytale look to create that cozy atmosphere.”
And the good news is that the interior designer reveals exactly how you can achieve this with great value purchases from B&Q from just £3.50.
Anjelica notes that she is a big fan of the 'Black integrated solar LED outdoor lamp,” which is perfect for lighting paths and helping you navigate your garden in the dark.
Alternatively, for just £12 homeowners can spruce up everything from trees to trellises and fences with 'Solar Firefly Solar Powered Warm White 100 LED Outdoor String Lights.'
EXPAND your interior to your exterior
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The interior design whiz also advises to get your interiors to your outside. How exactly do you do this, do we hear you shouting?
Sharing her expert advice, Anjelica notes: “Use rugs, cushions or even candle holders to almost create an extension of your dining room.
I find that burgundy, mustard yellow and sage green provide the perfect backdrop to your natural surroundings
Anjelica Delfino
“Or, if you don't have the space to have a dining room, use your garden to create that space.
“Just by adding some nice lighting, you create a great atmosphere that makes you really want to use that space.”
ADD COLOR THROUGH FURNITURE AND POTS
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The interior design Guru goes on to suggest that another cost-effective way to transform your outdoor space is by simply adding a pop of color.
She says this can be achieved by everything from your furniture to your plant pots.
“Fences are a great way to subtly introduce color,” says the design professional.
“Burgundy, mustard yellow and sage green provide the perfect backdrop to your natural environment.
“But also if you want a more refined, sophisticated look, gray, off-white and black tones will create a great contrast with the green tones, which in turn will help to create a more contemporary look.
“Adding color, not just to your exterior, but through your interiorsis a great way to take your space to the next level on a budget.”
SMALL SPACES APPEAR LARGER
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Anjelica notes that using bright colors and mirrors is a super easy way to make small spaces look larger.
“You may not necessarily get a lot of light, but mirrors really create a great deception of the space,” she explains.
The interior designer points out that while some mirrors can be pricey, they don't have to be – as B&Q offers a sleek 'Beige oval framed garden mirror' for a very reasonably priced £25.
Made from durable steel and finished with a classic stone effect finish, Anjelica says it is the ideal addition to add depth and contemporary flair to your outdoor space.
“I know B&Q have this beautiful oval mirror, and it costs less than £30, but it's beautiful and a lovely way to play with light and also create a really interesting conversation piece as part of your garden,” she explains .
“It really draws you in. Well, it draws you to get out and use that space.
The interior design expert also reveals another way people can simply create a talking point in their garden.
“Garden plaques or signs are a great way to add a little personality to your space so you can really pay tribute to your passions and hobbies,” she says.
DISCOVER CAR BOAT SALES AND UPCYCLE
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The interior design expert reveals she is also a big fan of upcycling and often uses unused furniture or picks up bargains from car boot sales to add character to her country retreat.
One of her very impressive DIY projects includes upcycling a dresser into a potting station.
“You have the handy handles and you have a big space to put things in the drawers,” she explains.
Not only that, but smart too gardening whiz has also created a minibar, which it says is perfect for 'entertaining guests' throughout spring And summer months.
“For me, it's about using your garden as a fifth room and extension of your home,” she continues. 'So it just depends on what you find interesting.
“I have a friend who used an old-fashioned globe as part of his outdoor bar situation.
“We always talk about bringing the outside in, but it's also important to use the inside to get out.”
DECIDE ON A THEME AND STICK TO IT
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“Every time I want to create or redesign a space, whether indoors or outdoors, I always think first about what atmosphere or theme I want to create,” Anjelica explains.
“So whether you're inspired by your travels or just taking a walk… nature is the perfect place to find inspiration.”
The interior expert further explains that she usually uses three to four colors in her color palette and uses these as a source of inspiration.
For example, she notes that you may already have a very green lawn or terra cotta pots.
“It's about really using the colors you already have as part of that palette,” she says.
For me, it's about using your garden as a fifth room and as an extension of your home
Anjelica Delfino
“You then need to decide whether you want to complement them by creating a tonal look or prefer to create a contrasting look. From there you can start creating your color palette.”
She adds, “I always find that three to four colors is usually the best approach.”
Showing how to move away from a bland-looking garden, Anjelica reiterates: “For me, it's about knowing what style, atmosphere and theme you want to create.
“They're your parameters, so they'll keep you from going into that tacky side where you buy too much stuff or go too simple.”
GIVE YOUR PLANT POTS A GLOW UP
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And last but not least, the interior expert advises on creating a multi-sensory garden.
“This can be achieved by using smell or sight, such as colours, to really soothe the different senses,” she explains.
According to Anjelica, lavender is the “perfect” plant to use and is not only ideal to use as part of a sensory garden, but is also an excellent choice for borders, herb gardens and containers.
“It has a bit of color, but also that strong smell,” she says.
“It's also a great attractor for pollinators, so you're really soothing the senses of sound, smell and sight, and that will make the space feel like a much larger space than it probably is.”
How to make your small garden look bigger
Garden design expert Fiona Jenkins from MyJobQuote.co.uk has created a guide on how to make your small garden look bigger.
Add shelves – for extra storage and room for more plants.
Use folding furniture – to take up less space when not in use.
Add privacy – with fencing, trellis, brick walls or hedge.
Add a water feature – to make your garden seem like a natural sanctuary.
Go bright – When choosing plants, choose striking colors to make the space stand out.
Use large planters – to get more plants in less space.
Plant vertically – add plants upwards to make your garden appear fuller and therefore larger.
Use blue flowers on the edges – blue flowers and plants disappear into the distance and make the garden appear larger.
Grow tall plants – when it comes to a small garden, it's better to think big.
Keep clutter to a minimum – because it can give the illusion that there is less space than there actually is.
The interior design guru points out that you should use the 'Verve French Lavender Mix' for just £4 at B&Q.
However, Anjelica warns that it's not just important to use the right thing plantsbut also to be creative with the pots you already have.
“You can be very playful there, so whether it's to complement the brickwork that you have, or to make it stand out a bit more,” she adds.