I saved hundreds by building my own decking – I used freebie pallets, did it on a budget & people think it looks ‘pukka'
The savvy blonde confirmed that they were able to keep the costs low and save hundreds by using second-hand buys.
2
2
Eager to show off her DIY decking, the content creator who posts online under the username 'Myrtle Makeover', shared a before and after look at her garden, leaving many totally stunned.
The influencer confirmed that she used freebie pallets to build the decking and now people think it looks 'pukka.'
Posting on social media, the mother, who is from Suffolk, uploaded a snap prior to the garden overhaul.
But what was once a very empty and plain corner, has since been given a mega makeover and is now the perfect place to relax during summer nights.
Alongside her post, the DIY fan wrote: 'DIY decking on a budget, made from pallets and wood cut offs given to us!'
The savvy mum confirmed: 'Spent less than £200 on building the decking where we would've been charged more than double that and the rest for someone to come and do it for us!'
The DIY fan then explained that to do the decking, her partner first levelled out the ground.
They then used second hand pallets, which they laid flat so they were all level.
Following this, the couple drilled in the decking on top of the pallets and drilled the sides into the fence to ensure there was no movement.
Thrilled with the quick, easy and affordable makeover, the mother beamed: 'So pleased with how this came out!'
How to make a garden arch using woden pallets.mp4
And not only did this woman and her partner build the decking, but they also kitted out the area with garden furniture, plants and lighting.
The bargain hunter confirmed that she purchased her string lights from TikTok Shop, and claimed they were 'incredible at night time.'
Garden features that add the most value to a house
A well-kept garden can add anywhere between 5-20% to the value of a property.
Sellhousefast.uk carried out a study and consulted 36 estate agents, garden designers and property professionals from across the UK.
And the experts revealed the garden feature which adds the most value to a property is a shed.
Shed - 82%
Patio or paving - 76%
Secure fencing, walls or gates - 72%
Outdoor lighting - 66%
Sturdy decking - 62%
Water features eg. fountain or pond - 58%
Modern garden furniture - 54%
Artificial lawn/grass - 40%
DIY fans beam
The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @ myrtlemakeover, has clearly impressed many, as it has quickly racked up 58,900 views.
Not only this, but it's also amassed 701 likes, 26 comments, 403 saves and 233 shares.
Social media users were gobsmacked by the DIY decking and raced to the comments to express this.
One person said: 'It looks so good.'
Another added: 'This is amazing!!!'
Top gardening trends of 2025
Gardening experts at Barnsdale Gardens has shared the top gardening trends of 2025.
Matrix planting
It seems that a top planting trend for this year is going to be Matrix Planting.
In essence, planting in groups or blocks to give an effect of being wild whilst actually being carefully managed.
Selection of the plants is essential, to give year-round interest either with flowers, seed heads or frosted/snowy spent flower heads. Some recommend using plants that seed around, but this could make managing your matrix planting harder to keep under control.
Chrysanthemum comeback
I hope that the humble Chrysanthemum makes as much of a comeback this year as Dahlias have over recent years, because the simple single flowered types, such as 'Innocence' and 'Cottage Apricot' would be spectacular within a matrix scheme.
The hardy varieties are so easy to grow in a sunny spot and give such a valuable burst of late summer and autumn colour that would lift any dull- looking border.
Blended borders
For some time now we have been promoting the growing of veg within ornamental borders and I think this could really take off this year.
The choice of ornamental-looking varieties available in seed catalogues is phenomenal and, if managed correctly, visitors to your garden will not even realise that you have veg growing!
Must-have tool
My secret is out. I discovered the Hori Hori a couple of years ago and now it seems so is everyone else.
It is such a well-made, adaptable tool that can be used as a trowel or weeding tool in the garden that and everyone I speak to who have used it absolutely would not now be without it. Enough said!
A third commented: 'Wow love this, looks amazing!'
Meanwhile, someone else simply beamed: 'Pukka.'
At the same time, one user asked: 'Did you put it straight on top of the grass? Was it easy to do?'
To this, the DIY fan explained: 'Dug up underneath, used some pallets that were treated, levelled it all out and then bought the decking boards and screwed them all in.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
8 hours ago
- The Sun
Millionaire family who blow £40k per holiday muck out sheep on Lancashire camping trip, in Rich Holiday, Poor Holiday
A MILLIONAIRE couple, who have £2500 a week in disposable income were left horrified when they had to muck out alpacas as a "fun" activity on Channel 5's Rich Holiday, Poor Holiday. After giving the Leaf family a glimpse into their lives by taking them to a hotel in Malta that cost more per night than their monthly rent, the Dissont family were whisked off to rural Lancashire for a budget break. 3 3 Health and Aesthetics clinic owners Sam and Andre, who earn up to £80,000 a month, blow up to £40,000 on a single break, so they were less than impressed by the Leaf's glamping holiday, with Andre describing the glamping pods as akin to a "sewage silo." "It's smaller than some of the bathrooms in the hotel's we've stayed in", said Sam, who is used to five star luxury. "I've never been on a holiday where I could touch all four walls at the same time", Andre admitted. The couple and their 14-year-old daughter were immediately unsure whether they would be able to hack the trip. "There's no holiday feel to it, it's just endurance", said Andre, after having to lug his suitcase across a muddy field. The posh family, from Cheshire, who blew £155 on a guided tour in Malta, were shocked to find that the same cost was their entire spending budget for the four-day Lancashire trip. "That is so tight", Andre fumed. "We spend that much money just on getting to the airport." The holiday doesn't get off to a great start, with Sam moaning about the cold temperatures and the fact they're "stuck in a field", with nowhere to go. The couple were horrified by the communal bathroom, and couldn't believe that they had to cook food for themselves. Inside 'real-life Love Island' where super-rich 'drop £3k a day' and kinky clubs sweep up boozy Brits booted out from Ibiza "When it comes to a holiday, I want to be catered for", Andre said. Sam completely refused to use the shared shower and decided to fast rather than eat a breakfast of eggs on toast. Activities on the trip included volunteering with alpacas and paddle boarding, which Andre described as "holiday hell." And although the family did enjoy cuddling the animals, they were less than impressed when it came to mucking them out. Top Hacks for Holidaying with Kids IF you've got plans to go on holiday with your little ones this summer, here's some advice to take on board. Plan Ahead: Book accommodations with family-friendly amenities. Research kid-friendly attractions and activities. Make travel arrangements that accommodate your children's schedules. Pack Smart: Create a packing checklist to ensure you don't forget essentials. Pack a mix of familiar and new toys to keep kids entertained. Bring snacks, extra clothes, and emergency supplies in your carry-on. Travel Comfort: Use neck pillows and blankets for a more comfortable journey. Download movies, games, and music on tablets or phones. Schedule travel during nap times or overnight to maximise sleep. Stay Organized: Use packing cubes to keep clothes and items sorted. Keep important documents, like passports and tickets, in a dedicated folder. Utilise apps for itinerary management and navigation. Engage and Entertain: Plan interactive activities like scavenger hunts or travel journals. Explore local parks, playgrounds, and kid-friendly museums. Involve kids in trip planning to get them excited and engaged. Maintain Routine: Stick to regular meal and sleep times as much as possible. Bring along comfort items, like favorite blankets or stuffed animals. Allow for downtime to avoid overstimulation. Stay Flexible: Be prepared to adjust plans based on your children's needs and moods. Embrace the unexpected and make the most of impromptu moments. Keep a positive attitude to set the tone for a fun and memorable trip. These hacks can help make your holiday with kids smoother, more enjoyable, and will ensure that you return home with wonderful memories! "I work hard anyway, I don't need to do that when I'm on holiday", Andre fumed. The Dissont's couldn't wait to get home to their huge mansion, after admitting that their perspective on budget holidays hadn't changed. However, daughter Kasia said she enjoyed the £900 Lancashire break just as much as the £16,000 Malta getaway. The rich family showed their generous side though, by offering to pay for the Bolton-based Leafs to go on holiday to Greece. "You totally deserve it", they told the "selfless" family. In floods of tears, the grateful family said the gift was "incredible".
The Sun
11 hours ago
- The Sun
Burying a £1 Tesco buy in your soil will save your plants from being suffocated by July's heavy rain showers
BETWEEN bouts of heatwaves the unpredictable weather has brought us heavy rain showers. If you're worried about the impact on your flowerbeds, a simple trick can help. Rain showers can cause the soil in your garden to become drenched, potentially drowning your plants. If you want to prevent your plant's roots from becoming suffocated in the water, burying a household item in your soil can help protect them. According to the gardening experts at you should place used matchsticks in your garden soil this summer. With heavy rain showers interrupting the otherwise sweltering summer, gardeners are being advised on the best ways to look after their plants. Handy hack 'Everybody loves a hack, especially one that saves money," said a spokesperson for "Putting these common household items to use in your garden could help to solve any issues you're having whilst saving you money as well.' One of their top recommendations involves the benefits of matchsticks for your soil. By burying used matchsticks head-down in your soil, you can help to promote plant growth due to the small amounts of phosphorus. A small level of oxidised phosphorus can help to boost root development. And the charred wood from the burned matchsticks is also somewhat porous and can help to aerate your soil. When mixed into soil, matchsticks can reduce compaction and help water drain more easily. This in turn helps to prevent waterlogging and root suffocation. And you can pick up a box of matches for just £1 from Tesco. Other issues Constant rain can also cause root rot, decaying them and turning them black, mushy, or smelly. Nutrient leaching, soil compaction, root exposure, and displacement can also result from too much water. And if you use planters and pots in your garden, make sure to opt for ones with drainage holes. More on gardening hacks A handy trick can help to transform the yellow patches on your lawn this summer. A budget-friendly step will keep your grass looking greener than ever throughout the year. Plus, a mowing hack that gardeners swear by for keeping your grass looking lush. And make sure to avoid a common gardening mistake that could be damaging your lawn. Another budget buy will leave your lawn looking healthier than ever in a matter of days. 2
Daily Mail
11 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Baby joy for Duke and Duchess of Westminster as couple announce birth of first child year on from society wedding of the year that starred Prince William as an usher
The Duke and Duchess of Westminster have joyfully announced the birth of their first child. Billionaire aristocrat Hugh Grosvenor and his wife Olivia confirmed they had welcomed a baby girl, a year after they got married in what was the society wedding of the year, starring Prince William as an usher. The happy couple also revealed their daughter had been named Cosima Florence Grosvenor. A spokesperson for the pair said: 'The Duke and Duchess of Westminster are thrilled to announce the birth of their baby daughter. 'Both the duchess and Cosima are doing well. 'The duke and duchess now look forward to spending this special time together as a family.' The duke is a close friend of princes William and Harry and is godfather to Prince George as well as reportedly Prince Archie. The Duke of Sussex agreed with Hugh, who is one of the UK's biggest landowners, that he would not attend his wedding last June amid a long-running feud with his brother. Once considered one of the country's most eligible bachelors, Hugh became an instant billionaire when he inherited his title and control of the historic Grosvenor Estate aged just 25, after his father died from a heart attack in 2016. His property company, Grosvenor Group, owns hundreds of acres of land in Mayfair and Belgravia, as well as major city centre developments such as Liverpool's One shopping centre. The duke donated £12.5 million to the UK's Covid relief effort in 2020, including funds for NHS Charities Together and for medical research and development. In April, the Duke and Duchess of Westminster joined Prince William and Prince George to cheer on Aston Villa in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League against Paris St Germain. It was their first public appearance after announcing they were expecting a baby. Hugh and Olivia showed their support, each wearing matching burgundy scarfs with Aston Villa emblazoned in white across the length of the neckwear. Earlier this year, a spokesman for the pair said: 'The Duchess is expecting a baby in the summer. The couple are delighted with the news and are very much looking forward to starting a family together.' The pair announced their engagement in April 2023, after being together for two years. They decided to marry at Chester Cathedral, before inviting around 400 guests including Princess Eugenie and TV producer Phil Redmond, to go to a lavish reception at the Grosvenor family seat, Eaton Hall, just outside Chester. The Duke paid for free ice cream, gelato and sorbet for Cheshire locals from three local independent cafes so they could join in the celebration. And a staggering 100,000 flowers - all paid for by the Duke - were planted throughout the city and donated to charity following the ceremony. No expense was spared as Olivia arrived at the Cathedral in a vintage 1930 8-litre Bentley owned by the Grosvenor estate. The bride's veil was designed by Emma Victoria Payne and featuring an embroidery design which incorporated floral motifs from her great-great-grandmother's veil from around 1880. Her dress was made by the same designer and she accessorised with blue shoes and the Faberge Myrtle Leaf Tiara made for Grosvenor brides to wear on their wedding day, which has been in the family since 1906.
