Eight aesthetic yet practical kit upgrades to make your garden more beautiful

You might think there's no getting around the fact that many pieces of gardening equipment can be quite ugly... bins, hose pipes and plastic water butts, we're looking at you! But, in fact, there are some surprisingly simple ways to replace or conceal the less visually appealing elements of our outdoor spaces - without compromising on quality or functionality.

Drawing on our years of experience, we've gathered together all the best ways we've found of making our gardens more beautiful - even when we're working in them. Whether it's a simple swap or a clever addition to hide garden eyesores, these are the tricks and tools you need to know about.

How to make your garden more beautiful

Wooden-handled tools

Browse copper gardening tools at Burford Garden Co. 

Find other wooden-handled tools at Crocus, Garden Trading and the National Trust shop

There's no denying it; with their vintage look and classic neutral colourway, wooden-handled tools seem right at home in any garden. They're a more sophisticated alternative to plastic or brightly-coloured options, and, with the right care, they'll serve you well for decades to come.

Terracotta pots

You can't go wrong with natural materials like warm-toned terracotta when it comes to pots and planters. Terracotta pots work particularly well as an alternative to plastic seedling trays in the greenhouse, but look equally as beautiful as large patio planters. Not only will they create a cohesive theme, but they'll allow your plants to be the stars of the show.

You can find terracotta pots in all shapes and sizes online; here's a quick run-down of the best sites to browse:

• Gardenesque - great for large garden pots
• Crocus - plenty of choice
• Boma Garden Centre - great for aged and whitewashed pots
• Scaramanga - great for inexpensive seedling pots
• Sarah Raven - great for rustic choices
• Rowen and Wren - we love these scalloped pots

Garden Glory hoses

Buy in different colours and with holders at Trouva (£116.99)

Garden hoses can be a bit of a pain when they detract from a stylish patio area or garden vista, but you can find beautiful versions. We turn to Garden Glory's stylish hoses and holders, which come in a huge range of plain colours, from green and beige to sleek black, baby pink and even gold for a real statement.

For something a little more understated, try Garden Trading's grey hose pipes and hangers.

Bin hiders

Buy the Rowlinson Bin Store from Ryman (from £166.99), Amazon (from £184.99) and Robert Dyas (from £184.99)

Buy the Anchor Fast Double Bin Store from Homebase (£375.00)

Bins have to be one of the biggest eyesores in any garden. Bulky and made of plastic, they can detract from even the most beautiful planting scheme. And while you can't change their appearance... you can hide them.

We recommend one of these subtle bin stores, made from wood or willow to blend into the rest of your garden. Alternatively, why not paint the wood to match in with sheds or fence panels?

Browse other bin stores at Robert Dyas, Wilko, B&Q, Homebase and Taylors Garden Buildings.

Outdoor storage boxes

Buy the storage bench from eBay (£129.99), Amazon (£129.99) and Robert Dyas (£136.99)

Buy the Aldsworth storage box from Garden Trading (£220.00), Amazon (£259.98) and Not On The High Street (£295.00)

Buy the Selbourne storage box from Garden Trading (£750.00)

Buy the acacia storage box in various sizes from VidaXL (from £86.99)

Stylish storage is always a quick route to enjoying a tidy, clutter-free space, both indoors and in the garden. Use it to store tools and sofa cushions overnight, or pop in bulky items like compost bags while you work. Bonus points if it serves a dual purpose, like bench seating, too.

Note: some garden storage boxes are waterproof, while others are designed to be breathable, so it's worth checking before you buy. See our full guide to the best storage boxes for more inspiration.

Fence panels to upgrade mesh or ugly fences

Buy hazel woven panels from Primrose (£34.99), eBay (£49.98) and Amazon (£49.98)

Buy Forest slatted panels from Buy Fencing Direct (£94.99)

Buy RHS woven panels from The Garden Trellis Co. (£196.00)

Many of us have fences in our gardens, usually in the same overlap style - but have you ever considered upgrading your fence by switching it for a more interesting design? You could also use a panel or two to screen off your bins or storage areas.

We love these three options from our guide to the best fence panels you can buy this year. Don't forget to give them a lick of paint or protect them with wood preserver.

Stylish water butts

Buy the Garantia Planter Water Butt from Marshalls (£274.99), Water Butts Direct (£285.97)

Buy the Algreen Madison Rain Barrel from Original Organics (£177.97), Water Butts Direct (£177.97)

Buy the Garantia Woody Water Butt from Marshalls (£424.99), Two Wests (£429.99)

Water butts can be a bit of an eyesore, but rest assured there are plenty of smart designs out there now, so you can collect rainwater without adding a bulky plastic barrel to your garden. Here are just three of the options from our full round-up of stylish water butts.

Go for a tank within a smart slatted wooden casing, or opt for a fun design with an integrated planter or water feature.