Argos’s Outdoor Living Report 2026 reveals the best ways to elevate your outdoor space

As the longer, lighter evenings draw in and thoughts turn to al fresco eating and enjoying the outdoors with friends, we’re starting to think about how to make the most of our gardens.

And with the possibility of sunshine on the horizon, Argos’s Outdoor Living Report has arrived right on time. Filled with all the key DIY and gardening trends of 2026, and furniture buys built to weather the seasons in style, the high street stalwart is here to help you turn your garden into this summer’s top destination.

It doesn’t matter if you have a petite balcony or a sprawling lawn, Argos has plenty of simple garden design ideas and big-name brands to help transform your outdoor space. Whether that’s creating a simple yet stylish lunch spot under the trees or giving your patio a cosy makeover with atmospheric lighting, now is the time to get inspired for the warmer months ahead.

From long, languid lunches to evening get-togethers, dining out in the open air is one of the joys of summer (batch-made cocktails essential). According to the Argos Outdoor Living Report, 34 per cent of us have plans to adopt an outdoor dining zone with tables, chairs and dedicated cooking areas. And the beauty of that? It brings all the aspects of entertaining – the cooking, the eating, the fun – into one space.

Cook up a storm on the latest barbecue or pizza oven and serve everything in oversized bowls and generously filled platters and boards. For a relaxed tablescape, opt for rustic finishes – think recycled glassware, handmade stoneware plates and napkins in natural fibres – and check out the garden and DIY collections for elevated everyday pieces that won’t break the bank.

According to the report, 45 per cent of us agree that our gardens should work as hard as any room in the house and many of us are taking the same discerning approach to decorating our outdoor space as we would indoors. That’s why durable furniture that encourages relaxation is a must (goodbye, collapsible plastic chairs; hello, modular sofas).

Curate an assortment of soft accessories to create a hard-to-resist chill-out area, too, such as showerproof cushions and outdoor rugs. Finally, add interest to otherwise unoccupied corners with potted plants and stylish storage.

Looking for small garden ideas? From grow-your-own veg patches to wildlife zones and social areas, you can have big ideas for small spaces. Get your garden ready with the space-creating collections at Argos, filled with multifunctional furniture and stylish outdoor lighting to add instant impact and help you get the most out of a small outdoor area.

Transform blank walls into living surfaces by mounting planters and trellises filled with herbs and flowering perennials. Layered lighting should also be high on a small garden agenda. Meanwhile, soft uplighting will help gently define different zones, and glass and reflective surfaces will create the illusion of space.

Summer is the perfect time to wholly embrace your mental, physical and even spiritual wellbeing. Argos has more than enough inspiration to help you create your very own restorative outdoor wellness zone.

Whether it’s a dedicated outdoor area for movement like stretching and yoga, soul-nourishing spaces for meditation with egg chairs and water features, or even spa-like zones with saunas and hot tubs, the wide selection of furniture and accessories at Argos offers something for gardens big and small. All you need to do is bring a good book and relax.