Family saves £12,000 with stunning DIY ‘serene oasis’ garden renovation

A content creator has saved himself an impressive £12,000 by deciding to transform his unremarkable back garden into a 'peaceful, relaxing' retreat. When Dan Cox, a content creator from Leytonstone, East London, first began dreaming about renovating his garden at his home, affectionately named ‘The Hitchcock House’, he did what anyone else would do and obtained a few landscaping quotes.

But to his dismay, the quotes he received ranged between £15,000-£20,000. As a result, Dan took matters into his own hands and, with the help of his partner and his partner’s dad, he embarked on a complete transformation of his back garden for less than £10,000.

Speaking exclusively with Gardener’s Dream, Dan reveals exactly how he achieved his dream garden on a budget. When it came to keeping costs low, Dan knew the internet would be his best friend.

“We vigorously searched the internet for the best quality timber and materials at the lowest price," he explained. As well as Google, platforms like Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree have proved to be valuable resources for finding affordable decor and materials.

“We got the marble for the coffee table from Facebook Marketplace and even a few large plants,” he said. Dan advises keeping an eye on these platforms occasionally, as you might find hidden gems at a fraction of the retail price.

The vision behind Dan’s garden was clear from the start: to create a peaceful, relaxing treat that felt like an extension of the house yet offered an escape from the hustle and bustle of London life. “We were inspired by the feeling of being on holiday,” said Dan.

His goal was to create a space where he and his partner could unwind and enjoy a sense of calm like they typically would on holiday. The exotic decor and blend of colours used throughout the garden reflect this intention, blending harmoniously with the moody Georgian aesthetic of the rest of the home.

Renovating on a budget doesn’t mean skimping on quality, according to Dan. “Don’t skimp on the materials that have the most impact," he advised. For him, the most impactful splurge was on the tiles and fitting, which cost around half his total spend at £4,000.

While this was the most expensive part of the renovation, Dan thinks it was worth every penny as 'the tiles make a huge difference and feel very luxurious'. To balance the budget, Dan cut costs in other areas, like the framing for the outdoor kitchen and pergola, where he used more affordable timber.

“We could have easily spent thousands on the outdoor kitchen if we went down the route of doing a cement structure and worktops,” Dan said. Instead, they opted for more cost-effective materials that still delivered on style.

As Dan and his partner were tackling most of the renovation themselves, there were of course a few bumps in the road. “I broke my hand in four places trying to build the outdoor kitchen,” Dan recalled. “I was drilling holes for the spotlights in the roof panel and had a little disaster with the drill.”

However, despite the injury, the project continued. By the time the renovation was complete, Dan’s total spend came in at around £8,000 - less than half of what the original quotes had estimated and saved around £12,000. Overall, smart material sourcing and prioritising where to invest were key to keeping costs low.

Dan also offered a tip for anyone considering ceramic tiles: “If you’re getting ceramic tiles, invest in a good jet washer! Keeping the luxurious tiles looking pristine requires regular maintenance, and a good jet washer makes all the difference."

Dan’s garden is now a serene oasis that reflects both his creative vision and savvy budgeting skills. His experience shows that with a bit of hard work, smart shopping and determination, you can achieve your dream garden without breaking the bank.