Is this Barmy, does anyone do it?

[MrsBobDylan]

We have a very modest backyard and no spare money to spend on it.

We need to fathom out how to replace fencing and see if our skills extend to paving.

We can't afford seating but I am an upholsterer and have a few Ercol Modula easy chairs and a coffee table which would make up a lovely corner seating area in the only part of the yard that gets sun.

We could throw a plastic cover over it to avoid summer rain and bring into storage during the winter.

It feels like a weird idea but I can't think of a reason why it wouldn't work - can anyone else?

I'm having middle-class angst that the bairns are suffering without a pleasant outside space

@Umbivalent

I'm not sure if buying pallets will be any cheaper than getting some Ikea stuff.

You don;t have to buy pallets, just ask around and gather them.

@littlewhitestar I wondered about getting some advice from those in the know and may well pop over, as long as you don't mind how little I know!

The yard is concrete, 1/4 paving stones and 1/4 garden bed and faces NE and is 12ft square. To add insult to injury, it also slopes down towards the house. Upside is we have a wall on the left hand side which could look really nice.

I am currently gathering some really colourful pots and planning on planting some big leafed plants, ferns and tall stuff.

I wanted fence panelling from B&Q in dark grey composite but it costs out at £500

There is lots we can do cheaply but I think we lack the expertise...

And yes, if we can build a long bench thing then I can make a lovely cushion to go on it - I even have water-resistant fabric in stock and some heavy duty wadding so that would be free.

Actually, I will check out freecycle for materials, that's a good suggestion. Sorry, I'll stop wittering now!

How old are the kids? Unless they are teenagers who want to sit in the sun and post instagram photos then they are not going to care about a nice seating area.

One teenager who would like a cloak of invisibility because he hates attention and two younger.

You have made a good point about them not using it. The seating is defo for me and my lazy arse lifestyle.

I just want it too look less horrible, it is honestly an embarrassment.

I have decided to teach myself carpentry and build a bench seat, a fence and some planters. I have found a wood recycling scheme near me and when that opens up again, I will get some wood.

How hard can it be? If I can reupholster an armchair, make curtains and cushions etc, surely I must be able to measure, saw and nail together wood?

All are welcome on the gardening board, there are plenty of novices too MrsBobDylan so you will be in good company!