Design ideas for small garden on a 1k budget (pic attached)

[Asvan]

Hi all,

Please see attached pic of my small gatden. I live in a terraced house so I have neighbours on both sides.

I am not into gardening at all but I would like to make the garden look a bit nicer and maybe spend more time in it in the summer. I was thinking that i could add some solar lights, plant pots and seating, as well as give it all a lick of paint. I also need to put a small shed in one corner for storage, which i have already ordered.

I have a 1k budget to sort out the garden, what can I do to make it into a low maintenance, inviting space? All ideas would be appreciated, I am totally clueless.

Thanks you.

I’ve painted mine Cuprinol willow it’s a light blue tinted green or sage colour so quite pale. I did two coats and I use patio magic diluted in a spray bottle each spring on any algae bits from the winter and it’s easy to touch up with left overs. Made my garden look a lot bigger and makes mismatched panels blend with each other. Looks good with white flowers.

For plants check out the supermarkets and places like b&m with the garden centre attached. I got an acer from Aldi 2 years ago for less than a fiver. It’s now 5 foot tall. Got one in b&m for £6 last month during the heat wave plus a salix flamingo tree for £12.

Looking to paint the fence this week but I'm not sure what colour to go for. I did want to go for cream/stone to make the garden look bigger but I've been advised that this will show up all sorts of dirt marks.
If you go for (the right) dark colour then the fence disappears - the garden appears bigger because "there is no fence" IYSWIM. Plant some tall things (in pots, if necessary) in front of the fence and the mind will conflate them with the trees outside the fence; the fence will get lost in the middle. It is a standard rule of garden design: if you don't want people to look at something then direct their eye somewhere else instead (the tall things inside)
Don't go for pure black, go for a 'nearly' colour like charcoal. Have a look at this video to see their 'before and after' fence painting (it's fairly early in the video).

Yep!

Google 'how to paint a fence without it seeping through'. There's lots of advice out there.

If you are not keen on grey, perhaps consider a dusky shade of plum or lavender?
I think it looks beautiful with green planting and doesn't have to be 'in your face' if you choose a muted tone

You don't have to be restricted by the basic Cuprinol shades. Brewers own brand Albany Masterdec for sheds, fence panels etc can be tinted to any colour you like. It's opaque so gives very good coverage. I've picked a lovely Farrow and Ball blue/green for a pergola that I want to really stand out and it looks amazing!

I agree with the advice to pick something dark, not light. It seems counter intuitive but it really will make the boundaries 'disappear' so you don't see them and the garden feels bigger. It's also much better for disguising any imperfections in aging fence panels and uniting any mismatching sections of materials or construction. A lighter colour will literally highlight them.

I'd go for a dark charcoal. I posted a photo up-thread. Plants and flowers really 'pop' in front of it. And that's what you want to be looking at. A fence is a fence - whatever lovely shade of sage or lavender it's painted. And I don't want to notice fences. I want to notice the planting.

some of the AI suggestions are just completely impractical for various reasons - cost and also fact that they often look nice because of the furniture included. Reality is that in the U.K. you need a garden that will look ok in all seasons.

i have a small garden like this. I have a fold up table and chair that get stored in my shed in winter. I also have a wooden bench that stays outside but will get a cover in winter. I have a combination of shrubs etc along the edges and the some large pots to add interest.

Things to avoid - plastic furniture, fake grass, tacky ornaments, bamboo (nightmare for you and neighbours). Fire pits and anything else that will make your neighbours hate you.

Furniture needn't be expensive. You can get great bargains in patio furniture on Facebook marketplace or eBay. Lots of attractive good quality outdoor seating near me starting at about a tenner. It's bulky so the market is limited to people with access to a car and prices are lower.

I know you're not at this stage yet OP but when you get there it's definitely worth looking into if you have a car or know someone with one who is willing to help with collection. Check measurements first though to make sure it will fit in the vehicle!