Property - Do-it-Yourself

Bare brick walls in a courtyard garden, for example, can look drab and boring, but a layer of paint will transform them in no time.

Dilapidated fences really let an otherwise smart garden down, so make the effort to repair or replace broken ones. If you have to start from scratch, fence panels are the quickest option because each panel covers a large area.

Finish off your fence with garden wood paint - it’s more attractive, and unique, than the simple brown wood stain. If you also have a wooden garden shed, be creative and paint it.

If only a hedge will do, opt for shrubs that grow quickly, such as the notoriously vigorous leylandis, or try ready-made hedges, which are much more expensive but provide instant impact.

Of course, a garden isn’t much good without an entertaining area. For an inexpensive and quick fix, use gravel, pebbles or slate chips to cover unsightly concrete or paving.

Good old-fashioned paving slabs provide a more traditional look; bog-standard slabs are a budget choice, while stone and concrete imitations of stone are nicer but cost more.

For many of us, of course, a garden wouldn’t be a garden without a lawn, but grass isn’t the easiest thing to keep looking good. Turf provides an instant lawn, but it’s but it needs to be laid and is more expensive than seed.