This is the time of year when folks want to spend their time outdoors. There’s just something about the idea of sitting with the family or a special loved one in the beautiful summer sunshine, surrounded by a lovely and bustling garden.

What’s that you say? Your garden is far from lovely and bustling? Sprucing up your garden space can be a snap – and you don’t have to spend a lot of time (or your life’s savings). Below are ten ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

Install a shed – Gone are the unattractive, utilitarian sheds of yesteryear. Today’s modern designs lend themselves to the aesthetically-minded. Some sheds even feature windows and shutters, making them look like small homes. The right shed can increase your storage space as well as add a unique, personalized touch to your garden.

Build a romantic gazebo – What comes to mind when you think of a gazebo? Most people picture romance, relaxation and comfort. Plus they’re a beautiful addition to any landscape. With so many gazebo kits to choose from, you can find the perfect size and look to fit your space.

Build a pergola – A pergola just adds a feeling of grandeur to any space, and pergola kits are easy to find and assemble. Dressed up in climbing ivy or strung with twinkling lights, a pergola will be a beautiful addition to your garden – and you don’t need to be a pro. Pergola kits make it easy for any ambitious homeowner to make having a beautiful pergola a reality.

Install a water feature – Whether on a small scale, such as a birdbath or bubbling fountain, or something as big as a pond, water features instantly transform the landscape and add real interest and beauty. It doesn’t take much work or planning to install a reasonably-sized water feature, but the difference can be quite dramatic!

Create a path – A flagstone footpath, either from the back door to the garden or between various sections of a garden, add a tremendous amount of charm to any outdoor space. The best part is, landscaping stone isn’t expensive, and laying them doesn’t take much work.

Spruce up your seating – Is your outdoor furniture…dated? Worn? Sometimes updating your patio’s look is as easy as buying new cushions for your chairs, or you may need a total overhaul. The right patio furniture can transform your garden in style.

Get your hands dirty – Or at least, get your gloves dirty. There are a plethora of inexpensive, beautiful plants and bushes easily available at any lawn and garden shop or landscaper’s. It doesn’t take much money or effort to infuse your garden with lush color.

Set up a few surprises – Be it a lovely little statue, a shaded bench almost hidden behind a shrub or a simple string of fairy lights, little touches add character and whimsy to your outdoor area.

Create a border – It’s striking, the difference a border around a garden can make. It’s the finishing touch that makes a garden look “finished”. Consider laying a border of brick, stone or low fencing around the edge of a garden bed.

Re-purpose with a purpose – Re-purposed goods add another whimsical note to your garden. Metal tubs, old wheelbarrows and chipped pottery can be given a second life as planters, especially in outdoor areas with little to no suitable soil in which to plant.

From sheds and pergola kits to simple touches that take just moments, there are so many ways to dress up your garden space. All that’s left is to find out what works for you!