Latest news with #waterfeature
The Sun
26-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
I made a stunning DIY water feature for my garden using £1.50 plastic bins from IKEA – it was easy to do & looks ‘chic'
A DIY enthusiast has shared how she made a stunning water feature for her garden without breaking the bank. Using plastic bins from IKEA - yes, you heard that correctly - this savvy woman was able to save cash and create her own display. Not only this, but the DIY water feature looks fabulous and has instantly added style to her outside space. Posting on social media, the content creator, who has 24,700 followers and uploads interior tips and tricks under the username 'CB Loves Interiors', detailed a step-by-step process of her recent project. After heading to IKEA and buying two plastic bins, which were just £1.50 each, the bargain hunter then used Gorilla glue to stick the two pots together. Once this was done, she moved onto the second step, which involved priming the bins. Following this, she then painted the bins, using a paint that is suitable for outdoors, as well as plastics. For the fourth step, the influencer added texture to the bins, using baking powder which she mixed with water. Once the solution was mixed well, she used a sponge to apply it over the bins. Moving onto the fifth part of the process, the savvy woman filled up the top pot. To do so, she used leftover plant pots she no longer needed and then topped it off with stones (which she had washed), water and a solar water fountain. While she didn't confirm where she bought the solar water fountain from, you can buy them for as little as £5.39 from Temu. 'I was quoted £10,000 for a garden renovation but did it MYSELF for £1,000 using ChatGPT to show my kids what single mums can do' You'll also find them cheap on Amazon, B&Q, The Range and Wilko. Showing off the stunning DIY garden feature, the bargain hunter simply beamed: 'Loved making this.' Not only this, but she later claimed that it was 'so easy to make' and wrote: 'The sound of water in the garden is so relaxing.' 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. 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 @ cblovesinteriors, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly gone viral and racked up one million views. It's also amassed 19,500 likes, 43 comments and 9,012 saves. Social media users were impressed with the 'water feature hack' and many raced to the comments to share their thoughts. 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! One person said: 'Wow, brilliant idea.' Another added: 'Such a cool idea!' A third commented: 'So creative.'
The Sun
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
I ordered the cutest water fountain from Temu for just £6 – but what arrived was anything but cute, they did me dirty
A BARGAIN hunter has revealed that she ordered herself what she believed would be a stunning water feature for her garden, but what arrived was a mega fail. Leanne Lulu Griffin confirmed that she treated herself to the garden buy which she bought from Temu, in a bid to add style and light to her outside space. 3 3 3 But when Leanne's order arrived, she was left in fits of hysterics at the epic fail. Eager to show off her blunder, Leanne took to social media and shared a snap of what she ordered, alongside a picture of what she actually got. Posting on BARGAIN LOVERS 🛍 Poundland, Home Bargains, B&M, Primark, The Range & More, a public Facebook group with 861,000 members, Leanne revealed that rather than a statue that trickles down water, she got an ornament that is totally sealed. Not only this, but she confirmed that it doesn't look a thing like the listing and to make matters worse, it doesn't light up either. Stunned by the failed order, Leanne penned: 'Ahhh Temu…I mean I think it's stunning. 'Didn't want it to light up and trickle water anyway. 'What I ordered vs what I got.' Leanne bought herself the Duck Outdoor Round Water Fountain Feature, which is one of Temu 's best-selling items at the moment. It was once £10.38 but has since been slashed by 41%, costing shoppers just £6.06. But despite the bargain price, Leanne was disappointed with what arrived, as the Temu mega fan later explained: '[I've] been ordering from here weekly for well over a year and this is the first time Temu has done me over.' I got a Disney travel bag from Temu for my birthday… it could've been lovely but the spelling errors had me in hysterics Leanne shared her post just 16 hours ago but it has clearly left many in hysterics, as it has quickly racked up 2,100 likes, 431 comments and 51 shares. Social media users were stunned by the Temu buy and many raced to the comments to share their thoughts. One person joked: 'Think they shrink on the way.' It's not the size that's a major issue.. looks nothing like what I thought I was getting Leanne Lulu Griffin Another added: 'It's getting worse.' A third commented: 'It's always a gamble with Temu, I ordered party bag bits and got little wristbands and they had spelling mistakes on.' Meanwhile, one Temu shopper claimed: 'Omg I actually put this in my basket plus a few other garden bits.. think I'll pass.' But at the same time, someone else slammed: 'When you don't read the description.' Why is Temu so cheap? TEMU exploded onto the scene in late 2022, with people all over social media raving about the low prices. The company is a Chinese-owned digital marketplace - essentially an online shopping app where people are connected to the retailer directly while the app takes care of the shipping element. The frenzy over the app is not completely unfounded either as it offers a wide variety of products, including fashion, make-up, electronics and furniture. According to a report from the US House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, Temu takes advantage of a trade loophole that allows the company to ship duty-free goods directly to the US. The loophole is called the de minimis exception and it means they can ship goods valued up to $800 (£643) to the US without it being inspected or taxed by US customs. Temu connects customers directly to manufacturers and only manages how the items are sent to customers. It means Chinese vendors can essentially sell their products directly to customers and ship it without building a network of warehouses across the globe. By doing this, they cut down on huge costs and ensure the product itself isn't marked up extra. While many of the products seen on the Temu app are from brands with extensive, original collections, many more are dupes of designer brands. However, to this, Leanne wrote back and confirmed: 'I did read the description! 'It's not the size that's a major issue.. looks nothing like what I thought I was getting.' Temu shoppers fume And it's not just Leanne who wasn't impressed with this garden statue, as someone else shared: 'I ordered this as well.. I couldn't stop laughing when I opened it! 'I've kept it for the giggles hahaha it is shocking, my duck 's face is painted with boss eyes not to mention the baby's beaks.' Not only this, but numerous Temu shoppers have raced to the website to also share their disappointment at the garden feature. One user snapped: 'The quality of the item is awful.' A second chimed in: 'Nothing like the picture - rubbish.'
The Sun
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
I turned a plant pot into a DIY water feature using Temu bargains – I spent £8.41 and there's no fuss, just zen vibes
A DIY enthusiast has revealed that rather than splashing the cash on a posh water feature, she decided to make her own. The bargain hunter and savvy mum who is from the UK, used two cheap buys from Temu to turn a plant pot into a DIY display - and people think it looks 'beautiful.' 2 2 Not only this, but Emma, who often shares cleaning and crafts content online, explained that with her garden project, there's 'no fuss' involved. Posting on social media, Emma demonstrated how she used just two products from Temu to add style to her garden. She explained that she already had a large plant pot and slate stones, but used a solar fountain and silver gazing balls from Temu to keep the costs down. Emma spent £8.41 in total - just £4.44 on the solar fountain pump and £3.97 on the stainless steel gazing balls. To create the water feature, Emma placed a cheap plant pot into a larger, more stylish plant pot she already had, that she originally purchased from Home Bargains. She then filled the pot with slate stones, which she had previously purchased from B&Q. Following this, she added the solar fountain to the pot and poured in some water. According to Emma, the affordable solar fountain has 'no wires' and is 'no fuss.' With Emma's water feature, all you need is sunlight and water, for what Emma described as 'instant zen vibes.' The mother finished off the water feature by adding the silver balls to the large pot to 'add a touch of reflective decor.' The content creator 's daughters even got involved in the process too, as she beamed: 'The girls enjoyed helping.' Clearly thrilled with her bargain water feature, Emma described it as 'affordable, stylish and fun to make.' And it's clear that others are equally as impressed with Emma's garden project, as her TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @ the_restingrichface, has quickly racked up 48,600 views, 533 likes and 26 comments. DIY fans eagerly raced to the comments, keen to praise Emma's 'adordable' water feature. One person said: 'Love it.' Another added: 'Love it!!! The balls really make it look special!!!! Well done girls.' A third simply described it as 'beautiful,' whilst a fourth commented: 'Adordable.' 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. 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% Meanwhile, someone else wondered: 'How did you secure the balls?' To this, Emma replied and confirmed: 'They are just placed in. I haven't secured them. They just add a nice extra touch.' At the same time, another user asked: 'Do you find you need to keep topping up the water?' In response, Emma wrote back and shared: 'Yes we top it up occasionally… but it's not too bad.'
The Sun
04-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
I made a water feature using nothing but a bucket, pebbles & a £9 Amazon bargain – people cannot believe how easy it was
AS Brits are soaking up the sun outside, millions of households are looking for affordable ways to spruce up their gardens. And if you want to turn your outdoor space into a tranquil oasis but can't afford landscapers then look no further. 2 2 This is because one crafty woman, Ann Fleran, has shared an easy-to-follow guide on how she made a stunning water feature for her garden. For the project, you only need five main things - two buckets, a £9 Amazon bargain, as well as some chicken wire and a pump. The rest is entirely up to you - for the decorations you can pick whatever your heart desires. In her helpful video, Ann, from Rotherham, went in with bright coloured pebbles, mega shiny balls and fake flowers. First, she instructed, fill the larger bucket with water and place the second one in the middle upside down - but ensure the smaller bucket has some holes at the bottom to let the air flow. Next, grab the chicken wire which has already been pre-cut to fit the diameter of the bucket and make sure it sits on top of the smaller bucket that's upside down. Once ready, you can start placing the decorations on top to cover the 'floating' wire - the DIY fan used blue, black and light grey glass pebbles for this. Happy with the arrangement, Ann then went in with a mini bouquet of faux flowers which she squeezed through the wire - but you can pick whatever you like to fit the theme. To make the water feature even more extra, the Rotherham resident also added a garden light on a stand - ideal for night-time. The one last final step was topping it all off with the main element - a floating water pump that will create your very own a tranquil oasis. 'I was quoted £10,000 for a garden renovation but did it MYSELF for £1,000 using ChatGPT to show my kids what single mums can do' Although the version Ann had snapped up from Amazon is currently out of stock, the mega marketplace offers a huge variety of similar products for around £9. Those keen to keep the costs as low as possible can also find the feature on Temu and Shein for less than a fiver. As the floating pump boasts solar technology, the water feature will only work once there's been enough sun - which Brits have had plenty of in the last few weeks. A well-kept garden can add anywhere between 5-20% to the value of a property. 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% The epic DIY work has since taken the internet by storm, winning Ann more than 940 likes. Over 530 members of the popular DIY On A Budget Official page - where the post was uploaded - also flooded to comments. One social media user thank Ann for the easy tutorial, writing: ''Lovely thanks for posting how it's done.''
The Sun
27-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
B&Q slashes price of £15 water ornament that matches ‘virtually any decor' & turns your garden into a trickling oasis
GARDEN lovers can turn their outdoor space into a relaxing oasis with a B&Q buy that has been slashed in price. With temperatures reaching 28C today, Brits across the nation will be spending their Friday afternoons lounging around in the garden. 2 2 And what better to enjoy the sun than treating yourself to a brand new water feature, that will instantly elevate your outdoor space. B&Q Tabletop Fountain B&Q's Grey LED Lighted Electricity Garden Fountain Resin Water Feature with Recirculating Pump has been slashed to £15.50, saving shoppers £1 on the original price of £16.50. The chic grey design matches "virtually any decor" so will look perfect in any style of garden, and is made of quality resin that is lightweight and durable. The tabletop fountain would look great placed on top of a garden wall, or outdoor table and the relaxing calmness of the trickling water will make you feel instantly at peace. The water feature also emits warm LED light, to add to the calming effect of the product. It's also super easy to use, as all you need to do is plug it into an outdoor outlet, and fill the lower level with water. B&Q said: "Relax and enjoy the sounds of nature with the fountain by Livingandhome! "This relaxing tabletop fountain lets you listen to the sounds of a waterfall crashing down onto the tiers below as the sound and sight of trickling water is naturally soothing and water fountains help induce a feeling of calm and relaxation." However, the product is not available in stores, so you will have to head to the B&Q website to snap up the bargain. More Bargain Water Features Wilko is also selling a stunning ornament that will instantly transform your garden into a serene haven. 'It's spacious enough for two adults' - The Range release double garden rocking chair less than €120 The Small Solar Floating Fountain floats on top of your garden pond or pool, creating a sense of calm and tranquility. It has three tiers, which create a peaceful cascade, and is solar powered, so there's no need to faff about with plugging it in. The fountain simply charges up in the sunlight making it an eco-friendly addition to your garden. Home Bargains is also selling a bargain water feature for just £9.99. 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. 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% "Turn your garden into a birdwatcher's dream with the Jardin Garden Bird Bath! Made from lightweight, weather-proof plastic with a sleek metallic finish, it's a stylish spot for birds to drink and bathe," the product description reads. "The Jardin Garden Bird Bath is the perfect addition to your outdoor space, designed to attract wild birds while adding a touch of style. "Its lightweight yet durable, weather-proof plastic construction ensures it lasts through all seasons, while the elegant metallic effect finish enhances your garden's charm." The bargain garden find is ideal to transform your pond or water feature on the cheap.
