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13 Argos buys to transform your small garden with minimal effort, from £12

Micro-zoning is the low maintenance design trend to know about this summer

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Argos/Hearst

Creating a green idyll for soaking up the sun this summer doesn’t have to mean hours of back-breaking work or acres of space. Even the smallest gardens and balconies can be transformed into colourful and comfortable places to relax and entertain.

According to The Argos Outdoor Living Report, the biggest trend for small gardens in 2026 is the ‘botanical bento box’, aka micro-zoning your garden into lots of little spaces, much like a bento box separates different foods into neat compartments.

To style the perfect bento box, Mark Lane, one of the UK’s leading gardening experts, suggests planning out “distinct spaces for dining, lounging and working to make the space feel more intentional.”

Small buys can make a big difference. We're talking mounted planters to transform blank walls, ambient lighting, and trellises for climbing plants. By drawing the eye upwards, it can make a compact space feel much larger and more dynamic”, explains Mark.

Investing in multifunctional furniture, such as storage benches and fold-down tables, can also make a smaller garden work harder without extra effort. So, to help you make the most of your outdoor space this summer, we’ve rounded up the best low-maintenance, affordable and considered buys at Argos for maximising square footage and creating your very own botanical bento box – starting from just £12.

Streetwize Garden 29cm Hexagonal Metal Solar Wall Planter

Garden 29cm Hexagonal Metal Solar Wall Planter

Streetwize Garden 29cm Hexagonal Metal Solar Wall Planter

This hexagonal wall planter is an easy and affordable way to kick off your vertical garden. It’s only 12cm deep so you’re limited in what you can plant, but herbs like chives and flowering plants like Busy Lizzies should work well and bring colour and scent to small gardens. A warm LED light in the top of the planter will add a nice touch in the evenings too.

Keter Eden Bench 265L Garden Storage Box

Eden Bench 265L Garden Storage Box

Keter Eden Bench 265L Garden Storage Box

Multitasking furniture is the easiest way to maximise space in a small garden. With 265L of storage underneath the seat, this bench provides plenty of room for garden tools, cushions and games, while still serving as a place to relax in the sunshine.

It’s also lockable – but you’ll need to buy your own padlock – making it ideal for both front and back gardens.

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Garden by Sainsbury s Stainless Steel Solar Stake Lights

Garden by Sainsbury s Stainless Steel Solar Stake Lights

Garden by Sainsbury s Stainless Steel Solar Stake Lights

Now 20% Off

Use these solar light stakes in plant pots, borders, or for lining a path to define separate areas after dark. The lights automatically turn on at dusk and recharge in full sunlight during the daytime, making them a low effort but high reward addition to your garden.

Argos Lattice Wooden Garden Planter

Lattice Wooden Garden Planter

Argos Lattice Wooden Garden Planter

Now 34% Off

Climbing plants can make a real statement in small gardens by creating a focal point for one of your distinct zones. This large wooden planter stands at 120cm tall, and the trellis provides space for plants to grow vertically, instantly adding more greenery to your space.

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Gardman Complete Feeding Station kit

Complete Feeding Station kit

Gardman Complete Feeding Station kit

According to Argos’ Outdoor Living Report, almost a quarter of people have or want a wildlife zone in their gardens, and this bird feeding station might be the addition your space needs.

It features a five-hook design and comes with two black steel seed feeders, one peanut feeder and one suet feeder to help you entice a wide variety of birds to your green space.

McGregor 4 Tier Mini Greenhouse

4 Tier Mini Greenhouse

McGregor 4 Tier Mini Greenhouse

Think your garden is too small for a grow zone? Think again. This four-tier mini greenhouse offers a sheltered spot for seedlings and plants and comes with a zip-up, roll-up door for easy access when pruning and watering.

It’s quick to assemble too, and doesn’t require any tools, so you can easily take it down at the end of summer or move it to make more space when needed.

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Argos Home Mini Corner 4 Seater Garden Sofa Set

Mini Corner 4 Seater Garden Sofa Set

Argos Home Mini Corner 4 Seater Garden Sofa Set

Now 20% Off

This rattan sofa has a compact design, while still providing space for up to four people, and the matching garden table comes with a cushion to make an extra seat when needed. The lid also lifts so you can use it as a storage box. For under £300, it’s an excellent choice for entertaining guests or lounging in the sun.

Argos Home Pink Striped Outdoor Cushion with Frill

Pink Striped Outdoor Cushion with Frill

Argos Home Pink Striped Outdoor Cushion with Frill

Add a pop of colour with this candy-stripe cushion, which is made from 100% cotton and comes in both pink and blue. Note that while the cushions are water resistant, we recommend keeping them inside when it’s raining to keep them looking their best.

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Habitat Scalloped 28 5cm Clay Grey Planter

Scalloped 28 5cm Clay Grey Planter

Habitat Scalloped 28 5cm Clay Grey Planter

If your garden is mainly paved, extra plant pots on hand are a must for adding colour and greenery. We love this 28cm classic terracotta pot with its scalloped rim, which will also add a touch of character to your garden or balcony. It has drainage holes and is frost resistant so you can leave it in the garden all year round.

Argos Home Solar Powered Water Feature - Terracotta Pots

Solar Powered Water Feature - Terracotta Pots

Argos Home Solar Powered Water Feature - Terracotta Pots

This affordable water feature is another great buy for those who are fond of terracotta. The solar-powered design can be used during the day and at night thanks to the on-demand backup battery, and it only weighs 5.4kg, making it easy to move around as needed. The trickling water will help create a zen space without much effort.

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Argos Home Eve 2 Seater Metal Garden Bistro Set - Green

Eve 2 Seater Metal Garden Bistro Set - Green

Argos Home Eve 2 Seater Metal Garden Bistro Set - Green

A smart buy for balconies and small patio areas, this bistro set is both budget-friendly and durable. Great for catch ups and coffees in the sun, this compact set will help you create a dining zone separate to your seating area if you have the space. Everything folds up for easy storage over the winter too.

Habitat 20 Warm White Festoon Solar Lights

20 Warm White Festoon Solar Lights

Habitat 20 Warm White Festoon Solar Lights

Festoon lights add a little twinkly magic as the sun goes down, particularly when you’re entertaining. Hang these along a fence or railing for a warming glow. There are 20 bulbs over a lit length of 3.8m, but make sure the battery is placed in full sunlight during the day to ensure they’re charged for after dark.

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Argos Home Foldable Firepit

Foldable Firepit

Argos Home Foldable Firepit

A fire pit makes a great centrepiece when you’re entertaining (and means you can stay out a little longer). This is a great, portable option – it weighs just 4kg, has foldable legs, and comes with its own carry bag (ideal for storing away in winter). Plus, it works with both charcoal and wood. Marshmallows anyone?

Headshot of Megan Geall
Megan Geall
Senior Homes and Lifestyle Writer

Megan is the Good Housekeeping Institute’s senior homes and lifestyle writer. She loves diving into the latest product releases to find the very best buys on the market and has written hundreds of product reviews on everything from the best vacuum cleaners and coffee machines to the best ice cream makers and robot window cleaners.

When she’s not writing about the newest gadgets and gizmos for your home and garden, you’ll find her running every distance from 5km to 100km or relaxing at home with her cat – there really is no in between. 

Megan has an MA in Magazine Journalism and has previously written for Stylist, Glamour, Women's Health, TimeOut, SquareMeal, and YOU magazine. You can find Megan on Instagram @meganlouisegeall.

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