There’s no need to sacrifice your style in a small garden, as this sun umbrella from Ferm Living at Nest shows
(Picture: Handout)If you’re in the mood for cottagecore and you’ve got an expansive green space to fill, then this probably isn’t the edit for you.
Let’s face it, if you live in London; outdoor space is probably tight, so how do you shop for an urban garden the size of a postage stamp?
Happily, shopping for garden furniture and accessories needn’t involve charming chintz or enormous table and chair sets.
First of all, keep it chic and go for a pared-back colour palette in muted tones to complement the greenery that you do have space for.
Even on the smallest terrace, you can create a mobile container garden in pots and planters (this is handy as you can take them with you if you move).
Just think of your outside space as another small room to dress, which you can style with contemporary furniture, portable lamps and waterproof rugs to reflect your interiors taste.
Shopping for a garden needn’t mean sacrificing your style – there’s a modern, design-led version of just about everything, even the humble bird feeder.
Keep scrolling for an edit of pieces that you’ll use all summer long.
If you’re inviting a few birds over for lunch, it’s only right to set their table in style with this stylish bird feeder, £54 from Twentytwentyone.
There’s no killjoy quite like a dark garden after sunset. Thankfully, this portable lamp – £188 from Aram Store in Covent Garden – doesn’t need a plug, so it can light the way for cocktails and dancing in the moonlight.
When space is tight, make your patio furniture count, starting with these modish garden chairs, £98.50 each from Aram Store. Pair them with a little table for two and squint to pretend you’re al fresco dining in the Med.
Is it a grill? Is it a flame? Well, yes it’s technically a grill but the open front styling of this BBQ from Heal’s will also give cosy firepit vibes as you bronze your bangers. At £771 it’s an investment piece but it will take centre-stage on the patio for many summers to come.
Even the meanest little sliver of garden needs a drink and this chic design is the watering can for the job. It costs £73 and looks good enough to keep on display (ideally undercover – it’s too chic to be rained on).
If you’re going to grow your own, start with something to pimp your Pimm’s. These cocktail herbs – £11 for a pack of three varieties – are an edible way to dip a green finger into gardening and grow from seed.
Industrial-style steel kitchens are cool again, so take the look outside with this zinc trough – £107.99 from good old Waitrose. The modern design is ideal for city balconies and you can use the lower shelf for smaller potted plants or storage.
Add a gaggle of Arket’s colourful terracotta plant pots along your balcony or terrace. At £45 for the largest version and available in a variety of sizes, they’re an affordable and tasteful pop of colour without crossing the boundary into countryside twee.
Keep your deckchair stripes on the beach – urban gardens deserve suitably serious Scandinavian sunshades (try saying that after a Sangria). This simple olive coloured sun umbrella is £395 from Ferm Living at Nest and it’s perfect for a small city garden.
Throwing a garden party? Take the indoors outdoors with this geometric rug – £349 from West Elm – it’s made from recycled polyester and designed for the great outdoors, though you can use it indoors too.
The material means it will survive sunshine and spillages and still look good by September. La Redoute also have a stylish edit of outdoor rugs, if blue just isn’t your colour.
