I gave my garden pergola a makeover with a £6.99 B&Q buy – now I never put my furniture inside, even in torrential rain

A WOMAN has revealed that she gave her pergola a mega makeover, whilst on a budget.

Amy, a single mother from Derbyshire, UK, explained that for just £60, she put a new DIY roof on her garden pergola and gave the structure a freshen up.

tiktok/@athomewithamyandh

tiktok/@athomewithamyandh

Not only will this provide her and her son with some shade this summer, but it will also ensure that her garden furniture doesn’t get battered by torrential rain too (as you can never predict the weather in Britain).

Posting on social media, the content creator explained how she made her very own ‘cheap pergola roof for under £60’, leaving many open-mouthed.

She explained that her pergola was built two years ago, and at the time, she added a big piece of polythene for a roof as a temporary measure.

But now, 24 months later, the savvy mum explained that her pergola was ready for a refresh.

In the short clip shared online, we saw Amy painting the pergola, as she confirmed: “I stained all the pergola.”

She then removed all of the old polythene and stained the top of the pergola, as well as the strips of wood.

Following this, she added the new bit of polythene and held it down with the strips of wood.

Thrilled with her savvy pergola overhaul, she beamed: “And I had a nice clean roof again.

“A few bruises later and it’s done!

“Now all my cushions can stay out until October.” 

While it’s unknown what polythene sheet Amy used to makeover her pergola, other gardeners can pick up sheets like this for as little as £6.99 from B&Q. 

How to update your garden on the cheap

IF you want your garden to impress this summer, you've come to the right place...

Plan and Prioritise

• Assess Your Space: Take a walk around your garden and note areas that need improvement.
• Set a Budget: Determine how much you can afford to spend.
• Prioritise Projects: Focus on high-impact areas first, like pathways, seating, or focal points.

DIY Projects

• Build Your Own Planters: Use reclaimed wood, pallets, or other materials to create custom planters.
• Create Garden Art: Use old items like tires, bottles, or cans to make unique garden decorations.
• Pathways: Lay down gravel or mulch to create affordable and attractive garden paths.

 Plant Smart

• Buy Seeds, Not Plants: Seeds are cheaper than mature plants and offer a wider variety.
• Share and Swap: Exchange plants and seeds with friends or join a local gardening club.
• Grow Perennials: Invest in plants that come back year after year to save money in the long run.

Use Free Resources

• Compost: Make your own compost from kitchen scraps and yard waste to enrich your soil.
• Rainwater Collection: Set up a rain barrel to collect water for your garden.
• Mulch: Use leaves, grass clippings, or wood chips as free mulch to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.

Repurpose and Upcycle

• Old Furniture: Turn an old chair into a plant stand or a dresser drawer into a planter.
• Containers: Use buckets, tins, or even old shoes as quirky plant containers.
• Pallets: Create vertical gardens or compost bins from discarded pallets.

Shop Smart

• Sales and Discounts: Look for end-of-season sales or discounts at garden centers.
• Second-Hand Stores: Find pots, tools, and decorations at thrift stores or garage sales.
• Online Marketplaces: Check sites like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace for free or cheap garden supplies.

Maintenance

• Weed Regularly: Stay on top of weeding to keep your garden looking tidy.
• Prune and Deadhead: Regularly prune plants and deadhead flowers to encourage growth and blooms.
• Tool Care: Maintain your tools by cleaning and sharpening them to prolong their life and effectiveness.

By using these tips, you can give your garden a fresh, updated look without spending a lot of money. Happy gardening!

SOCIAL MEDIA USERS REACT

The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @athomewithamyandh, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up 303,300 views.

Social media users were impressed with Amy’s pergola makeover and many took to the comments to express this.

Looks absolutely beautiful

TikTok user

Not only did people describe it as ‘beautiful’, but others admitted to feeling inspired by the DIY project.

One person said: “Fair play, that looks really good.” 

Another added: “Looks absolutely beautiful.” 

A third commented: “Nice job, we will all need one this summer to catch the rain not the rays.” 

Meanwhile, someone else penned: “Very nice, if I had a space like this, that’s [the] sort of [thing I’d] do.”