WeÔÇÖre halfway through the summer holidays and thereÔÇÖs still plenty of time (and hopefully sunshine!) for family barbecues and lazy lunches outdoors. But is your garden furniture up to scratch?
Chances are that the gorgeous patio set you splashed out on a year or two back has greyed considerably and is now decidedly more shabby than chic. But you can revive your tables and benches without the need to buy new ÔÇô and hereÔÇÖs how!
1. Blast off any dirt with a power washer and sand the wood thoroughly.
2. With a paintbrush, apply teak oil, which is renowned for restoring wood to its original colour and stops it from greying.
3. Leave to soak in for one day before rubbing of any excess with a rag. If the wood is very weathered or grey looking, it will need more than a rub down and an oiling, and you might want to invest in a commercial deep cleaner to apply in between rubbing and oiling. Your furniture will soon look as good as new!
4. During the winter months, garden furniture should ideally be stored in a shed or under protective covers to keep it looking its best.
If you decide to paint your garden furniture, rather than applying an oil:
1. Wash the furniture with warm water and sand it lightly.
2. Apply an external primer and allow to dry for at least eight hours before applying a second coat of primer if necessary.
3. Turn the furniture upside down and paint underneath. Allow to dry.
4. Turn the furniture upright and paint the top side, again with two coats if necessary.
5. Invite your friends and family round and show off your upcycled picnic tables and chairs!
Main image: Heritage Gardens
Inset: Design-3000
If your property is in need of a makeover, there are plenty of ways to do it without breaking the bank! Whether you want to spruce things up in order to sell or simply make your home a cosier place in which to curl up, here are some inexpensive improvement ideas!
A well-presented kitchen can clinch the deal for prospective buyers – but thereÔÇÖs no point spending thousands on new cabinets only to find your buyer plans to rip it straight out again. Instead, enhance an existing kitchen with a few added extras such as a 
As with a new kitchen, it can cost a lot to 
Thinking of laying a patio? Paved and decked outside areas remain on trend, adding value to a property and providing a great place to relax with family and friends. Natural stone, or flagstone, patios are as popular as ever, especially in the gardens of older properties where reclaimed stone can enhance a traditional look.
Put your garden under the spotlight ÔÇô literally ÔÇô with fabulous outdoor lighting. Twinkling fairy lights can transform an outdoor space for lazy summer evenings, whilst installing outside wall lights and lanterns can light up barbecue and seating areas, as well as add extra security.