Wondering if you’ve misread the title - surely garden jobs are done for the year now the nights are drawing in?
Well, it might surprise you to learn that late autumn to winter is the best time for garden renovations!
With plentiful material and trade availability, more comfortable weather for manual labour, and increased rainfall for softer land, the restrictions of spring and summer are distant memories.
So, what could you do to spruce up your garden? The expert team at NWTT reveal their favourite on-a-budget ideas that bring maximum impact.
Garden renovation ideas to consider this autumn
While you may not have the financial capacity for anything large-scale, there are plenty of modern garden ideas (on a budget) that you can either do yourself or get sorted by a local team of tradespeople in just a few days.
This includes exciting new features, such as:
- - Raised planters
- - Gates and fencing
- - Aggregate paths/borders
- - Decking areas
Raised planters
Ideal for flower enthusiasts as well as those looking to get into growing their own, raised planters allow for easy, and importantly, more comfortable access to areas designed for growing.
Once constructed, they can be lined and filled with garden aggregates, like topsoil, to cultivate a wide range of edible and decorative plants. From carrots, broccoli, radishes, and lettuce, to cornflowers, poppies, sweet peas, and many varieties of evergreens - giving your garden colour all year round.
It’s also beneficial for adults looking to practice mindfulness or find a low-stress hobby, or for children, as it gives them real hands-on experience with nature.
Gates and fencing
Whether yours needs replacing as a result of storm damage (which is most common in autumn/winter) or years of rowdy football games have finally come to a head, a new fence can make the world of difference to the look and feel of your outdoor space.
Plus, as most fences can be fitted by a standard home DIY-er, as long as your fencing posts remain undamaged, you can enjoy your new look before the sun goes down at teatime!
For an increased aesthetic boost, you could consider European fence panels, which are constructed with more aesthetic elements, like arched or lattice tops and horizontal slats, rather than vertical ones. Just be sure to check the widths of all panels before you order, or they may not fit upon arrival.
Product spotlight: Venetian fencing
Venetian or slatted fencing continues to be one of the most stylish garden trends for 2025 – the perfect choice for creating a sleek, contemporary outdoor space that blends privacy with light and airflow.
This modern look uses evenly spaced horizontal battens to create a minimalist, architectural feel that’s both functional and eye-catching.
If you are building your own slatted fence panels, our Whitewood PAR Battens (50 x 22mm) are ideal. The smooth planed finish gives a clean, refined appearance, while the natural whitewood tone can be easily treated, stained, or painted to complement your garden style.
So, whether you prefer a soft, natural oil for a Scandi feel or a bold black stain for striking contrast, these battens help you create a high-end designer look at a fraction of the cost.
Top tips for achieving the look:
- - Keep your spacing consistent: 10 - 15 mm gaps between slats give the perfect balance of light and privacy
- - Use pressure-treated or painted battens for long-lasting protection against the elements
- - Try mixing horizontal fencing with vertical accents or planters for added texture
- - Frame your fence with matching timber posts for a professional finish
Aggregate paths/borders
Worrying about how you’ll get those loads of washing dry now that the halcyon days of summer are gone? Or perhaps you're quite sick of wet feet from dew while letting the dog out first thing?
Instead of traversing the cold, damp grass, make trips outside more pleasant with a pleasingly crunchy and highly decorative aggregate path or border.
Low maintenance, highly durable, resistant to ice formation thanks to its increased water permeability, and available in over 25 shades and hues - there is a decorative aggregate path for every style of garden!
We bet you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it years ago!
Decking areas
While you may not spend as much time in the garden at this stage in the year, there is plenty of warm sunshine still to be gained and enjoyed on shorter days.
From enjoying a hot drink or even letting the little ones play with their messier toys out there to make clean-up easier, the winter sun doesn’t need to be ignored! Instead, make the most of it by decking the areas of your garden that get the most sun during the day.
You can choose between traditional timber or composite decking. While both offer different aesthetics, they each offer a range of benefits that are worth considering before you make an order:
| Timber decking | Composite decking |
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Consider autumn/winter as the seasons of scope
It can be hard not to feel glum as the hours of sunshine drop, but there is plenty to be pleased about as the seasons change.
Instead of shutting the curtains and forgetting about the outdoors, make subtle and inexpensive tweaks that mean you can actually enjoy it all year round - helping your investment work harder.
For advice on materials or if you are stumped about what exactly you need to complete the job, why not contact the experienced and friendly family team at NWTT? You can email [email protected] or call 01942 720 777, and we’ll do our best to give you the advice you need to turn your garden into your very own oasis.