TURN the garden or patio into a stylish dining area for romantic meals with your partner and gatherings with friends.
Follow my tricks to set the right mood without breaking the bank.
8
GO FORAGE: Pick some flowers and foliage from your garden as a centrepiece for the table, or divide them into smaller posies and display them in glass jars.
BY CANDLELIGHT: Use lanterns for atmospheric lighting. I love the rose copper lantern from The Range, which is down from £19.99 to £14.99. Alternatively, you could have a go at making your own with large jam jars and colourful twine.
For this and lots more DIY lantern ideas which use candles or fairy lights, visit diyncrafts.com.
SAVE: £5 at The Range.
TABLE MANNERS: Need somewhere to sit? B&M has the Milano dining set with six chairs, a tempered glass-topped table and parasol for £150, which is one of the cheapest deals I’ve seen for that size.
But if it’s out of your budget, Millets has the Hi-Gear fold-out camping table for £20, down from £75. Lay a pretty tablecloth over it and use your indoor dining chairs.
SAVE: £55 on picnic table
SNAP UP FREEBIES: Check out Freecycle, Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace and Nextdoor for anyone giving away second-hand garden furniture for free or for a knock-down price. People often have to get rid of bulky items quickly when they are moving house, so you can find some amazing bargains.
PLASTIC FANTASTIC: Avoid breakages with plastic or bamboo glasses and plates.
Marks & Spencer has 20 per cent off picnicware right now, including a set of four rainbow wine glasses for £12, down from £15. Or get similar ones from George at Asda for £10.
SAVE: £2 with Asda glasses
- Prices correct at time of press. Deals subject to availability.
DEAL OF THE DAY
8
WHIZZ up healthy smoothies and soups with the Ninja BN495UK 0.7-litre blender, down from £99 to £79 at ao.com.
SAVE: £20
CHEAP TREAT
8
GET a taste of Glastonbury with a delicious Worthy Farm Reserve cheddar cheese bake from Co-op at the introductory price of £3, down from £3.50.
SAVE: 50p
TOP TIPS
8
WITH Love Island back on TV, you might be lusting after the famous fire pit. Poundland has a scorching deal on one for £15. That’s the cheapest I have seen.
TOP SWAP
8
8
STAND out in the Isolde pastel ombre cotton gauze dress from Olivia Rubin for £250. Or keep it colourful with the Studio.co.uk square-neck shirred ombre midi dress for £20.
SAVE: £230
LEAH’S LITTLE HELPER
GOT a Sparks card from Marks & Spencer?
Claim 50 per cent off at more than 130 English Heritage sites that you would normally pay to visit, including Whitby Abbey and Dover Castle.
Get your code from the Sparks app and book at english-heritage.org.uk.
SHOP AND SAVE
8
QUENCH your thirst with a three-for-£2.75 offer on juices at Iceland, including orange, mango, apple, cranberry and tropical – normally £2 each for 1-litre.
SAVE: 25p buying three
HOT RIGHT NOW
CHECK out the summer sale at ee.co.uk for deals on Samsung Galaxy, iPhone and other top handsets and smart watches.
PLAY NOW TO WIN £100
8
JOIN thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle.
Every month we’re giving away £100 to 250 lucky readers – whether you’re saving up or just in need of some extra cash, The Sun could have you covered.
Every Sun Savers code entered equals one Raffle ticket.
The more codes you enter, the more tickets you’ll earn and the more chance you will have of winning!
This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk
