Summer is coming, and with it, the UK is getting ready for garden projects aplenty. The spring and summer months are the perfect time to transform your garden and give it the attention it needs to become a beautiful, tranquil place to spend time. Have you thought about using railway sleepers to create furniture and various design features? If not, this could be the perfect option for you when deciding what to do with your garden this summer.

If you are feeling creative, why not try making furniture out of railway sleepers? Sleepers are essential large pieces of wood, rather like beams, so they can be used in different ways and they are very strong and sturdy. You will need to be quite handy at DIY, as the sleepers will often need cutting down to size. The other option is to work out what sizes you need and buy sleepers based on this. You can then work them into chair and table sets, benches, and various other forms of furniture that will look beautiful in your garden. And they will look even better to you because you will know you built them by hand!

You can also use railway sleepers for your planting, creating raised beds or using them to created and shape flower beds within borders. This can be a great option if you have a smaller garden, or a courtyard, as you can make a space to plant flowers, or perhaps grow vegetables. Use the sleepers to build a planter, which you can fill with soil and compost and create a perfect place to grow plants or flowers on your patio.

Buying sleepers – what should I choose? 

There are many different kinds of sleepers available. These are some of the most common options you will need to consider:

• Softwood or hardwood railways sleepers? Hardwood will be stronger and will usually last longer. Softwood may be cheaper if you are thinking about your budget.
• Reclaimed or new sleepers? Reclaimed railway sleepers are very environmentally friendly, as they make use of wood that would usually just be disposed of. This makes it a great option for people who are environmentally conscious.
• What finish would you like? One of the great things about sleepers is that they can be finished with different stains and varnishes to give them a different appearance. Choose the finish that you would like, or varnish the railway sleepers yourself if you are keen to personalise them.
• How much should you spend? Sleepers are relatively inexpensive, compared to buying ready-made furniture. It may become more expensive if you want custom milled wood, but if you are willing to do a lot of the work yourself, it isn’t too expensive to simply buy sleepers.

When you have decided what kind of sleepers you would like, make sure you buy them from a good retailer. Find an online retailer for better prices, and check their delivery policy to make sure you new railways sleepers can be delivered to you at your home.