Easy ways to upcycle old garden tools into darling backyard decor

Gardening season and patio season are finally here, but their arrivals often bring about the realization that we're in need of some extra accents and furniture to make our backyards look their best. Thankfully, there's no need to hit the stores in search of the perfect additions just yet. In fact, some of them may be hiding out in your garden shed already. Always a fan of the upcycle, and The Goods' DIYer extraordinaire, Steven Sabados, has some clever tricks to help you repurpose old garden tools. Here are two pretty and practical DIYs to craft for your backyard this summer, made from shovels and pitchforks.

A table made from a pitchfork

Here's what you'll need:

• Pitchfork
• Screwdriver
• Sanding paper (optional)
• Pencil
• Paint and paintbrush
• A premade wooden circle or square (found at a craft store) or wooden cutting board
• Electric drill with a bit to match the circumference of the bottom of your pitchfork handle (the part where it meets the wood)
• Screws and screwdriver

Here's how to do it:

1. Remove the handle from the pitchfork. Usually these are held together by screws.

2. Sand the pitchfork if you want the look of natural wood.

3. Mark the centre of the wooden circle or square using your pencil.

4. Drill a hole into the top/centre of your wood board using a drill bit that matches the circumference of your pitchfork handle — this will be the table top.

5. Paint the pitchfork, handle and table any colour you want. Steven chose to only paint about half of the pitchfork, but you can paint as much as you want!

6. Slide the table onto the pitchfork arm.

7. Reattach the handle and add the screws back in.

8. Stick it straight in the ground wherever a garden table is needed!

A birdhouse made from a shovel

Here's what you'll need:

• Spade shovel
• Paint and paintbrush or stain
• Sandpaper
• Birdhouse frame
• Hangable bird food
• Hammer and small nails

Here's how to do it:

1. Cut off the top of the spade shovel. You don't need to do this if your shovel is already short.

2. Sand and stain or paint the arm of the shovel to desired colour.

3. Pre-drill a hole into the top of the shovel arm and the bottom of the bird house – these will be attached with a screw so make sure they're centred.

4. Nail a small nail into the inner top of the birdhouse for hanging food.

5. Screw the birdhouse into the top of the shovel.

6. Hang the bird food from the nail.

7. Stick it in the ground and wait for the birds to arrive! This birdhouse could also be used to attract butterflies. Butterflies are fond of sliced, rotting oranges, grapefruits, strawberries, peaches, nectarines, apples and bananas. You can place them on a plate in the birdhouse and keep them moist by adding water or fruit juice.