Ben Rogers, 33, from Peterborough, recently transformed his “tired” patio which was breaking up and overgrown with moss. He wanted to transform it into a modern outdoor garden space he could enjoy but didn’t want to fork out on paying someone to do the job for him, which could costs thousands.
Instead, after doing some research on YouTube, Ben turned to DIY, making sure he had all of the materials necessary to work on the project.
The project included excavating the ground, laying slate paving slabs as well as building a decorative wall bordering the patio and garden.
Talking to My Local Toolbox, Ben said he got the inspiration for the outdoor wall lighting from Philips Hue. He purchased the light strips and attached them to the underside of the slate coping stones creating a modern and stylish look.
He explained: “My inspiration for the wall lights came about as I was browsing Philips Hue lighting.
“I had some already for indoors and wanted to expand my collection. I happened to look at all options when I saw the outside options too and once I saw how amazing the garden looked with everything lit up, I had to include that in my project.”
If the DIYer had employed a tradesperson to transform the 38 square metre space, it would have set him back around £10,000.
However, because he managed to do all of the labour himself, the impressive patio only cost £3,000, resulting in a huge saving.
Ben added: “Once you have decided on the design and materials, allocate the time to get the project done.
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“Make sure you can acquire all of the materials before starting and order them immediately so there are no delays or any unexpected changes needing to be made mid-project.
“Certain materials may not be available due to high demand or shipping uses. I had to change a few things mid-project as I could acquire certain items but in the end I feel those changes made the project even more unique.”
The DIYer said he is “extremely happy” with the final result which took him around six weeks from start to finish.
The final result consisted of grey slate tiles on the floor, which varied in different sizes to give the garden a textured look.
The wall also looked sleek with smaller tiles and white pebbles around the bottom of it, creating a luxurious border.
For those who recently had a new patio, or for those looking for tips on how to clean a patio, Jane Wilson, cleaning expert, mum and blogger, recommended using white vinegar.
She said: “Cleaning patios and paving slabs without a pressure washer can be done effectively with some simple hacks.
“Choose the method that works best for you based on the type of stain, the tools you have available, and your personal preference.
“Use a mixture of white vinegar and water. Vinegar is acidic and has natural cleaning properties that can help break down and remove dirt, grime and stains.
“Simply mix equal parts of water and vinegar, apply it to the surface, and scrub with a stiff brush. Rinse with water and let it dry.
“It is important to note that vinegar may not be suitable for some surfaces, such as natural stone or unsealed concrete.
“Therefore, testing the solution on a small, inconspicuous area before applying it to the entire surface is always advisable.”
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