Savvy DIY-er transforms tired garden into Love Island-inspired space

Savvy DIY-er transforms tired garden into Love Island-inspired space with freebies and bargains from Facebook Marketplace that saved her hundreds

• Mandy Wilson, 51 from Cheshire, has spent five years working on her DIY garden 
• READ MORE: Savvy mother-of-one saves nearly £6,000 creating a chic, monochrome bathroom

A keen DIY-er has revealed how she saved £100s turning her garden into a hassle-free, Ibiza-style space with Love Island vibes – by doing the work herself.

Mandy Wilson, 51 from Cheshire, has been working on her garden over the last five years to make it a maintenance-free space with a Mediterranean feel.

She told money-saving community LatestDeals.co.uk: ‘I am particularly inspired by Ibiza as I lived there for years and I miss the outdoor living.

‘I did not want to have to spend a lot of time managing the garden because I have back issues and arthritis. I also don’t have the time to maintain a garden, so I wanted to ensure that I created a space with a modern look.

‘I wasn’t happy with the garden as it looked before. The space was quite plain and I wanted to brighten it up so I would enjoy sitting outside during evenings and weekends.’

BEFORE: Mandy’s garden was neat, but was looking slightly tired before she used her impressive creative skills to transform it

AFTER: The space is bright and has the Mediterranean style vibes Mandy wanted. It is also easier to manage – which she says is key as she has back issues and arthritis

Mandy Wilson (pictured) says she ‘absolutely loves’ her garden after the makeover, which shows off her talents

She revealed that it took a while to complete the project, as she worked to a budget each year. 

Her one investment was a weatherproof printed board from KAYDOR Signs, which was more expensive than shower curtains, which could have been used as an alternative, but unlike shower curtains, will not fade.

Mandy continued: ‘I cut a number of designs – words and animals, including a lizard – from waste grass, using a Stanley knife. I love art and I really enjoyed getting creative. I affixed the designs with Gorilla outdoor tape. These designs would have cost at least £20 if I had bought them ready-made.

‘I created giant pencils using leftover fence posts. These would have cost at least £15 each if I had bought them online.’

She went on to purchase decor to go around the garden, or picked up pieces for free from Facebook Marketplace. She already had one of the garden sofas and a friend was getting rid of the other one.

According to Mandy: ‘I picked up the decking furniture for just £20 apiece. The seller wanted to get rid of it and so I borrowed a friends’ van to transport it back to my house.

‘The assorted pots for the plants and flowers were between £5 and £10 on Marketplace. I got cheap seeds from B&Q and they have grown beautifully with some TLC.

‘The face statue was only £30 and I have seen similar ones for over £100 online so I was pleased with this bargain. 

Mandy says she was ‘particularly inspired by Ibiza’ when creating the relaxing space in her garden

She used garden furniture she already owned, picked up some bargains, and was even able to get some pieces for free on Facebook Market

Mandy used waste grass, and using a Stanley knife, cut out shapes like words to use as decor in the space

‘A family was redoing their garden and it didn’t match their decor anymore so I was happy to take it off their hands!

‘All the other decor was under £20 each from Marketplace. I took my time looking regularly and only got pieces I felt would really fit in with the garden overall.’

Now the garden is complete, Mandy says she ‘absolutely loves it’ – and has saved £100s on the decor by making it herself or picking it up cheaply.

She added: ‘I have been told by friends and family that now my garden looks like part of the Love Island villa which is part of the vibe I was going for!’

Tom Church, co-dounder of LatestDeals.co.uk, said: ‘Mandy has done a great job by budgeting for this garden transformation project over time and creating a bright, colourful space that works for her. This area will look great for many years to come.’