Jasmine Birtles
Your money-making expert. Financial journalist, TV and radio personality.
Best products for a small garden or patio
Jasmine Birtles
29th Jun 2026
I’m out on my terrace a lot now that the nice weather has established itself, but it’s not easy to get the right plants and furniture to fit a small space. With just a few nice touches, though, you can make even small outdoor places little havens of peace, colour and nature. Here are some of my recommendations for items to consider for your small garden or patio.
Click the item title to go to the product’s website/stockists
BBQs & Grills
Cuisinart Outdoors 36cm Portable Charcoal Grill RRP £34.99
The Cuisinart Outdoors 36cm Portable Charcoal Grill is a handy, go‑anywhere barbecue that brings authentic charcoal flavour to picnics, camping trips and relaxed garden get‑togethers. Its compact design makes it easy to transport and store in the car boot, shed or cupboard.
Argos Home 35cm Round Charcoal BBQ RRP £14.00
An ultra-budget, lightweight option that is small enough to sit on a heat-proof surface or compact patio and can be packed away into a cupboard or shed easily when summer draws to a close.
Cuisinart Outdoors Venture Portable Gas Grill RRP £199.99
A great choice for camping, picnics and garden BBQs. Thoughtful features like built-in propane tank storage and a wooden lid that doubles as a chopping board make it especially practical for outdoor cooking, delivering even, reliable results with minimal effort.
Feuerhand Tamber Table Top Grill RRP £99.95
A great little tabletop grill that looks fantastic. The enamelled grill grate keeps food from sticking, and the ventilation design helps everything cook evenly. The specially coated charcoal lights easily and gives food that classic barbecue flavour. A nice touch is the wooden base, which doubles as a lid and protects your table from heat. Stylish, practical, and perfect for casual outdoor grilling.
Cooking on coals is great but if you want an instant and easy fire to cook on, gas is the best. The Campingaz Sigma is compact, very strong and well made and lasts for years in all weathers. Get a gas canister to use with it and you’re set up for instant dinners outside. The griddle is powered by Campingaz CV470 Plus gas cartridges, which are lightweight and compact, so they won’t take up lots of room when stored. Plus, those without a car will be able to pick the gas up at their
Lighting
Lighting Legends Super Festoon LED Outdoor String Lights
If you want to create a warm and cosy feel to your outdoor space, the Super Festoon String Lights from Lighting Legends will do just that. These “Warm White” outdoor string lights use low wattage replaceable LED bulbs. Suitable to fit inside a standard outdoor sealed waterproof socket with no transformer required. Great for all round use to enjoy with the family or entertaining friends.
SIP Universal Halogen Hanging Heater RRP £124.33
For those who don’t have a lot of floor space, the SIP Universal Hanging Halogen Heater is a versatile hanging Infrared halogen lamp heater operated via a remote control and uses 30% to 40% less electricity than traditional heaters available on the market. Available from Big Dug.
Argos Home 10 Dancing Flame Solar String Lights RRP £20.00
Featuring LEDs that mimic a real flickering flame, these offer the visual warmth of a fire pit without the smoke, heat hazard, or bulk – ideal for tight urban balconies. The result is a cozy, relaxing setting that enhances outdoor evenings while remaining practical, low-maintenance, and easy to use.
Habitat 10 Warm White Wire Wrap Bulb Solar String Lights RRP £12.00
These can be woven through balcony railings or slung along a fence, not taking up any precious table space. Solar powered, they don’t require any outdoor plug and the exposed filament look adds a chic, trendy bar feel.
Not A Boring Box Rechargeable Lamp RRP £79.00
The B-Bulb+ is one of those products that manages to be both practical and stylish. With 2 brightness levels. the integrated power bank will last up to 22 hours without a recharge depending on the chosen setting. Another big plus is the completely cable-free design keeping spaces neat and clutter-free.
Feuerhand Hurricane Lantern Baby Special 276
RRP £39.95
A stylish and practical lighting solution combining the classic look of a traditional hurricane lantern with modern LED technology that comes in a fantastic range of colours. For added convenience you have the option to use either two rechargeable lithium-ion batteries via a protected USB-C charging port or three standard AA batteries (not included).
Outdoor Essentials
Polarbox Retro Coolbox RRP from £ 34.99 (12L & 20L)
Practical doesn’t have to look boring. The Polarbox has a retro design and comes in vibrant colours – you definitely won’t hide this in a corner. With adjustable handles, not only can you use it for entertaining at home but it’s great for days out to the beach or for a picnic. Keeps food and drinks cool for up to 24 hours, what’s not to like. Available from Amazon, John Lewis and Harts of Stur.
Wool Compost range from Dalefoot Composts RRP
Made in the Lake District, Dalefoot’s composts are made using sheep’s wool, bracken and comfrey. Wool very cleverly retains moisture, so you can water plants less than you would if using other composts. All the natural nutrients in the compost also provide slow-release nutrition reducing the need for additional feeding – so no need to add any plant food for at least a year.
Fableroom Soleil Hand-woven PET Rug RRP £228.00
A great way to add colour to your outdoor space, the Soleil rug is a fantastic blend of style and practicality. Inspired by coastal landscapes, it instantly brightens up a room. Made from durable 100% PET yarn, it feels soft underfoot and adds plenty of texture without being overpowering. With a range of sizes available, it’s easy to find one that works for a compact space or a larger living area.
OHS pink macrame hanging seat RRP £88
I love this hanging seat. For a pretty reasonable price (it’s on offer on a few sites) you can have a comfy hanging seat that you could put anywhere on your balcony, terrace or small garden. Bring it inside in the winter too as it’s happy indoors or out. It comes in a flat pack box and is easy to assemble and light to use.
OHS Adjustable Sun Lounger RRP from £40 (currently on sale!)
I purchased the OHS Sun Lounger right before the recent heatwave and it was absolutely perfect!
The lounger is very compact (which is great for storage) and super comfortable. I spent many hours catching the sun and never felt any discomfort.
OHS 3-Seater Outdoor Rustic Bench RRP From £50 (currently on sale!)
This is my new favourite addition to my small balcony area! The bench comfortably sits three people and looks incredibly chic! 
Plus, it was very very easy to build- perfect for those of us who weren’t gifted in the DIY department!
It fits nicely on the edge of my balcony and looks very cosy with a throw and cushions.
Plants & Planters
beards & daisies French Lavender Plant RRP from £79.00
i’m a big fan of Beards and Daisies. They send their plants – some of them small trees, in amazingly safe packaging and the plants arrive in tip top condition. You can also get terracotta pots from them at a decent price.
Lavender is a beautiful, low-maintenance plant known for its fragrant flowers and calming scent. A great choice for areas that get plenty of direct sun as it’s drought-tolerant, loved by bees and pollinators, and produces a reliable display from late spring through summer as well as adding charm to any garden or patio (pot not included).
Hydro Herb Kits RRP £25.00
With 14 different herbs to choose from the Hydro Herb Kits are perfect for the chef in the family who like to use fresh, authentic flavours in their cooking. Made from recycled, recyclable or biodegradable elements throughout and are all handmade in Suffolk.
beards & daisies Bay Tree RRP £20.00
Bay trees are a great choice for smaller patios and balconies. They stay neat in pots, keep their leaves all year round, and suit sunny, sheltered spots really well. You can pick fresh bay leaves straight from the tree to use in cooking, they’re delicious in slow-cooked dinners!
Another great aspect of Beards and Daisies is that they offer a sort of ‘lucky dip’ of plants that need a bit of TLC for just £9 each. You don’t know what you will get but it will be good, though needing a bit of help, and for what you get the price is really impressive.
Streetwize Garden 29cm Hexagonal Metal Solar Wall Planter
RRP £20
Perfect for balconies, these wall planters mount directly to walls or sturdy fences. Taking up zero floor space, these add extra personality to any small space.
Mcgregor Corner Wooden Garden Planter RRP £50.00
Perfect for utilizing the dead space in a balcony or patio corner. It provides deep enough soil for small root veg or a cascade of summer strawberries whilst only taking up 45cm in depth and width.
It’s easy to assemble and great for climbing plants. I have a rather nice Clematis on mine!
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