Garden DIY & Craft Projects

Garden Ideas & Inspiration

No matter what size your space or balcony, we'll inspire you to create a beautiful space!

Garden DIY & Craft Projects

Get crafty in the garden or tackle a DIY project over the weekend.

 

Ponds, Pools & Water Features

No garden is complete without a small water feature, pond or fountain.

Paving & Hardscapes

Paving and hardscapes are an essential part of any garden.

 

Garden Rooms, Balconies, Decks & Patios

Spend more time outdoors and extend your indoor living space.

Landscaping, Plants & Vegetables

Get your hands dirty - add colourful plants or grow your own veggies.

 

 

Garden DIY & Craft projects

Add pizzazz to a plain patio set
A screwdriver and a can of Rust-Oleum Universal metallic spray paint in oil-rubbed bronze - plus a few supplies - and you are ready to transform your patio set and have it ready for the next season. You will find Rust-Oleum on the shelf at Builders Warehouse.
Tips on building an outdoor fireplace
I don't have a big garden, so a firepit is big enough to warm up and create a cosy spot during the colder months of the year. But an outdoor fireplace is just the thing if you have a large patio or entertainment area.
Stepping or flagstones with a rubber door mat
Here's a way to use a rubber door mat to make decorative stepping stones or concrete pavers for a garden path or walkway. All you need for this project are a few supplies that you can easily buy at your local Builders Warehouse.
Make a gazebo using PVC plumbing pipes
I know that our summer has ended, but that's no reason to pack away your tools! During the winter hibernation you can pop into your local Builders Warehouse and grab all the materials to make this gazebo out of PVC plumbing pipes and it will be ready to dress up for when spring comes.
An old trampoline becomes a garden day bed
I know quite a few people that have an old trampoline packed away in the garage, or dumped at the bottom of the garden - left there because the kids have grown up and no longer use it and it's too big to throw away. Well now you can put that old trampoline back into use... as a hanging garden chair.
Colourful mat for patio or deck
Use thick canvas and paint to freshen up a deck or patio with this simple weekend painting project. Pop into your local Builders Warehouse and grab a thick dropcloth, some Plascon Sure Coat matt acrylic in your choice of colours and painting gear and turn a drop cloth into a custom-coloured mat for a touch of outdoor decor.
Lush green lawn all year round
Way back in 2008 I made the decision to give up on my small lawn, having already spent way too much on planting and re-planting with different grasses to have a lush green lawn. Too much shade and poor draining in the rainy season resulted in a patchy lawn that was a sad sight to behold.
Solve poor drainage with a French drain
It is important to deal with bad drainage, as left unattended this can lead to serious problems such as damage to building foundations. An easy DIY options that solves bad drainage in a garden in installing agricultural pipe or putting in a French drain.
Upcycled items become garden decor
Create an interesting feature, fun corner or conversation piece by upcycling household items into marvellous containers for the garden. Steel toolboxes, oil drums, dustbins, a piano and cracked crockery can all be upcycled and repurposed for use in a garden.
Timber pallets become garden containers
Marick and partner wanted big pots with cherry trees for their front stoep, but rather than buying huge, expensive pots, decided to build them from timber packaging pallets.
Make your own garden spheres or orbs
Here's how to make your own orbs or spheres for indoors or outdoors. These spheres add interest to any garden setting, especially when left to rust naturally. You can make these orbs or spheres using steel or wood.
Green gardening competition
I love the idea of using recycled glass bottles to make hydroponic herb containers for a kitchen. Recycling is not only a move towards greening the planet, it's also an opportunity to look for ways that you could do more. Put your thinking cap on. We have a Dremel Tool hamper valued at over R3500.00 to give away to the best idea.
Easy DIY concrete stepping stones
Here's how to make your own concrete stepping stones with an organic design that you can create using elements from your own garden. These concrete stepping stones are much nicer than the ready-made ones you buy and are quick and easy to make.
Make these cute hypertufa pots
This project designed by 33 shades of green shows how to make these cute hypertufa pots, similar to the ones made by Tanya Visser on her gardening show, and using the same principle as the hypertufa table previously featured on Home-Dzine.
Add a mock window to your balcony or patio
Ever wanted to add a touch of glamour to your balcony with a decorative feature? Well, how about creating a mock window to bring the outside in! You could also mount this mock window on a patio, or even in the garden to create an illusion of more space.
How to make a vertical garden
One of our Home-Dzine readers, Anisha, sent through a picture of the vertical garden that she made for her patio. We have previously featured on vertical gardens, which are ideal for anyone that has a small garden, a courtyard, or a balcony.
Make a garden table
I completed a garden table project for Easy DIY magazine. Having been inspired by the guys at Far Out Flora, who used reclaimed timber for their garden table, I wanted a more formal design for the garden, not to mention that I seem to have run out of reclaimed timber for the time being!
Gilded flower container
Metal leaf provides a shiny metallic finish and transforms a boring galvanized tin container into a beautiful feature. Gilded using a mix of copper and imitation gold leaf, this container looks gorgeous outdoors in a sunny spot and will brighten up a dull space.
Make concrete flower pots
Create your own unique garden pots and planters using concrete, cooking spray, and your choice of forms. Here's a great way to repurpose your chlorine buckets. Use the large bucket for the outer form and a smaller container for the inner form.
Timber pallets become practical garden furniture
One crafty reader transforms timber pallets into attractive patio furniture. Samantha Klein was lucky enough to stumble upon plenty of timber pallets for her repurposed patio furniture. Definitely a worthy project for our Craft Challenge.
Repurpose leftover bricks
If you have some clay bricks left over from a building project, don't toss these aside. There are many ways to put these leftover bricks to good use in the garden. Use bricks to edge around lawn, stack bricks for decorative features, or use old bricks as planters.
Build a basic garden shed
Every home needs a place for garden tools and this small garden shed provides for plenty of storage without taking up too much space. The compact design will fit almost anywhere and you can make the entire shed out of timber and board that you will find at your local Builders Warehouse.
Make cute clay pots of succulents
I've been posting a lot lately about succulents. I really do love these little guys and the fact that they grow so easily makes them even more lovable, especially if you don't have green fingers. Here is a project that shows you how to make cute little clay pots out of oven-bake clay, and they are soooo cute...
A mini greenhouse using cd cases
You know I love projects that repurpose household waste in new ways, and I was blown away by Mega Crafty's unique way of using CD cases to make a mini greenhouse. I think it's awesome that we are being inspired to recycle and repurpose in such amazing ways!
How to make a vertical garden
You can make a vertical garden on the cheap with a few supplies and basic tools. The plants you choose are what makes your vertical garden special and succulents are best, as they require minimal watering.
Outdoor scrabble board
A tiled board and some painted blocks are all that you need to create this fun outdoor game of Scrabble. The actual Scrabble board is made by laying a timber frame and then pouring concrete into 10 centimetre squares.
Name tags for herb pots and herb gardens
Here I go again... thinking up ways to recycle plastic bottles. I have done quite a few projects using these flower design cut from the base of a plastic 2 litre bottle, and you will be able to make an amazing chandelier in a future issue of Easy DIY magazine, so keep an eye out.
Timber pallet garden day bed
Who doesn't enjoy finding a shady spot in the garden to read a good book. This garden day bed is made up entirely from relaimed timber pallets, joined together and topped off with a covered foam cushion
Concrete flower pots
Make your own funky flower pots and containers with empty plastic bottles and some concrete. If you prefer, you can use a hypertufa mix for a more natural looking pot.
Garden table gets a new tabletop
Find out how easy it is to replace a garden tabletop with a beautiful rustic piece of raw edged pine.
Tips for autumn gardens
Whether it's the result of climate change or not, this past summer has been a challenge for any gardener. With the heat and heavy rains, most of our landscapes look overgrown and tired.
Build raised garden beds
If it’s almost impossible to grow plants in your soil (heavy clay, poor drainage, rocky), a raised garden bed is the perfect solution. It lets you bring in good soil and create the ideal garden bed. It also lets you garden without bending over as far or working on your hands and knees.
Make a hypertufa table
Hypertufa combines peat moss and concrete that can be moulded into moderately porous planters. Note that the mixing and moulding process shown below is on a smaller scale to show the details. It’s also a good practice project to try before moving on to the larger table
Concrete leaves as ornaments or feature
For those of you who attended the 2012 Homemakers Expo, I promised to share the project that Tanya Visser did at the show, where she made beautiful huge leaf features of concrete.
Erase grease and grime from a concrete driveway
You can erase years of grease and grime in a single day with a high-pressure washer.
Suburban herb garden
If you live in a townhouse, flat or apartment and don't have access to a garden, here's a way to recycle empty tins into colourful containers for herbs and plants.
Grab some 'me' time in a hammock
Kids are back at school, hubby is back at work, and you've spent the holidays running around after the whole family (and possibly relatives too!). Now it's time to grab some 'me' time before you get stuck into the new year.
Relax in a deckchair
While catching some rays during the holidays this year I thought back to how comfortable sitting in a deckchair was. The fabric fitted your rear end perfectly and it was easy to fall asleep. With that in mind, for all you folks who remember the comfort of a deckchair, here's how to build one...!
Kids fun water shower
This project is a must build for summer, especially if you don't have a swimming pool. A trip down to your local hardware store for a few supplies and some basic tools are all that you need to create this summer spray.
How to build a garden fence
If you've got nosey neighbours, putting up a fence it just one way to give yourself more privacy.
Cute concrete garden mushroons
Sprout some style in the garden by making these unique mushroom-inspired artworks. Historically, staddle stones were used as architectural supports to keep grain barns elevated and their contents safe from moisture and rodents. Today, you’re more likely to see them adding wonder to a water garden, flair to a flowerbed, or grandeur to a garden path.
Recycled glass jar candle lights
Recycle empty glass jars and add pizzazz to a summer patio with hanging candle lights. Suspended from hooks or branches, these easy, solar-powered candle lights will add sparkle to the garden by day and illuminate a pathway by night.
Make a garden obelisk
Typically constructed of wood lattice, a garden obelisk is basically a free-standing trellis. When situated near climbing plants such as a black-eyed Susan or sweet pea, the obelisk showcases the vine and acts as a striking focal point.
Restore steel or timber garden furniture
Vintage patio furniture has a rustic charm that modern furniture simply cannot compare to. It's a look that says I'm old and loved. Don't toss out that old metal patio set simply because it's covering in flaking paint and rust.
Restore outdoor furniture with Rust-Oleum
Giving your garden furniture a makeover is as easy as 1... 2... 3.... Buy a can or two of Rust-Oleum spray paint, prepare your furniture for painting and then spray on glorious, new colour. It's as easy as that.
Build a freestanding pergola
Whether you build a small arbor, or a larger pergola, this is a garden structure that will increase your enjoyment of the garden and add value to your property.
Makeover a garden table with a new top
At around R250 for a full sheet of 18mm plywood, it's easy to give your outdoor table a brand-new shape and size with plywood.
Restore or revamp wicker furniture
You can easily revamp or restore indoor and outdoor wicker furniture in a couple of hours and we show you how.
Give my braai a makeover
The average South African braai has to be ready for anything - at any time! Because we love a good braai, in winter or summer. Grab a can of Rust-Oleum High Heat spray and give your braai a makeover.
Build a garden rocker
Get ready for lazy summer days in the garden, or by the pool, with this lazy garden rocker and stool.
Recycled table for garden
This gorgeous table is made from nothing more than old timber pallets that have been stripped apart and then sanded. The idea is to leave the reclaimed timber in its natural state rather than finish off with anything. I do think it just adds to the whole look.
Recycled cans make garden tags
Most tags are pretty useless for long-term. I've spent a little time experimenting with other options and have come up with an inexpensive and easy to make tag for the garden. Its design also adds movement to the garden as the wind catches it.
Makeover a rusted garden table and chairs
So as I was touring the garden the other day, I realized there’s definitely some sprucing that needs to happen. I was reminded of the bistro set I found a couple of years ago and that I had every intention of refinishing, but I just never got around to it.
Make a copper pipe garden chime
If, like me, you find a wind chime therapeutic here is a way to make your own copper wind chime that’s in tune with your senses and your budget.
Give garden furniture a makeover
Patio furniture looking dull and dated? Think twice before you toss them out... It's easy to transform them and make them look better than new. All you need is a little imagination and a few cans of Rust-Oleum 2X spray paint.
Quick and easy greenhouse
You can easily build this sturdy, little greenhouse in a day with basic tools and a few supplies from your local Builders Warehouse.
Build a tree ring
In addition to being an attractive design element, a border encircling a tree is practical in many ways. It protects the tree trunk from contact with lawn mowers, and it corrals mulch from spreading to the lawn. Plus it adds a decorative element to a garden.
How to build a garden fence
If you just want a fence to keep out the neighbour's dog, there are plenty of off-the-shelf choices at your local home centre. If, on the other hand, the idea of defining your personal landscape with a touch of architectural flair grabs your imagination, you've come to the right place.
Stop dogs from digging in beds
Some dogs love to dig. And, of course, one hole just isn’t enough. I read somewhere that chicken wire laid over the ground would solve the problem, and sure enough, dogs hate getting their nails caught in the mesh. But if you want the wire to stay put, you have to take time to carefully bury all the edges and put in plenty of stakes.
Make a garden day bed
Build an outdoor daybed for lazy days enjoying the freshness of spring in the air. Our daybed is perfect for a shady spot in the garden, or on the patio or deck.
Make a garden compost bin
If you love to garden, nothing feeds your plants better than compost. In this project the gaps between the wood slats let air circulate around the pile to keep odours at bay and ensure that wastes are breaking down; removable slats, front panels, or doors make it easy to turn the pile and remove compost when it’s ready to spread.
Make a garden spiral
I first spotted a spiral wind-spinner in a friend's garden and I was captivated by it. When the breeze turned the spiral, it had a magical hypnotic type of effect. The ball gave an illusion of moving up and down the spiral tail.
Table for garden umbrella
Here's the perfect project for anyone who enjoys a cool drink under a shade umbrella on a hot summer day. The 600 x 600mm table will accommodate an umbrella and stand, have enough surface space for drinks and snacks, and looks great.
Garden cubby with tray for plants
Useful garden storage box that serves double duty with a planting tray on the top. It's perfect for displaying colourful annuals or a collection of herbs. Behind the door you could store garden accessories or even a hose pipe.
Decorate flower pots
I love terra-cotta, but I think too much of it can be monotonous. To vary the look of these I sometimes age them by spraying them with a yoghurt solution to stimulate moss growth (a time-consuming affair), or if I want instant gratification I paint them.
Mosaic bird bath
This project is fun to do, keeps the three of us relatively out of trouble, and requires only simple, inexpensive household items.
Recycled tin cans for potted plant display
Recycle old paint or coffee tins into attractive plant holders that can be hung in the garden to decorate a plain wall.
Make a 4-poster garden daybed
During the winter month's you don't have to hibernate. Get out the tools and make this daybed for relaxation in the summer months.
Mosaic projects for the garden
Turn bits and pieces of broken china and tile into unique garden ornaments with these easy mosaic projects.
Make a bamboo trellis
What I found on a recent shopping trip was either overpriced, lacking in character, or made with flimsy materials. That’s what motivated me to make my own trellises out of bamboo. Bamboo is a wonderfully versatile building material. It’s lightweight, strong, and flexible, and it looks at home in most gardening schemes.
Garden planter bench [PDF]
The hardest part of building a wood bench is ensuring that its legs are sturdy. So to make it easy to build this 3m long bench, we designed a bench top that rests on a pair of oversize ceramic pots. Add plants or trees to enrich the look; we used New Zealand flax.
Faux stone patio
Concrete is a sturdy and durable floor for a patio, but it’s certainly not charming. Learn how to transform your concrete slab into a faux-stone living space.
DIY timber garden hammock
Rock-solid posts and overhead shading make this hammock the perfect retreat on hot summer days. All you need to do is to add the hammock.
An old lapa restored
The Colourful Corner Nursery in Randpark Ridge has a lapa, deck and pond quietly tucked away in the corner. Over the years the wooden windows and doors, as well as the deck have been left uncared for and the DIY Divas decided that this was the perfect project to show you just how easy it is to restore outdoor timber - in a weekend!
 

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