You’d never guess this narrow garden shed was hiding a fully-functioning workshop

by Furnishly | Sep 22, 2025 | Design Inspiration

If you thought your garden didn’t have enough space for a workshop or even a shed, then think again, as this tiny workshop proves.

This small garden shed idea, built by Mike Robinson, an engineer from Plumstead, South-East London, has just been awarded the title of Cuprinol Shed of the Year after he entered it into the ‘workshop/studio’ category. Selected by a judging panel as the overall winner, this small but mighty shed impressed with its genius space-saving structure.

Mike built the tiny workshop after he couldn’t find an off-the-shelf shed small enough to fit in with his small garden ideas. Instead, he built the shed himself using two sets of heavy-duty steel shelving, bolted together and clad in wood.

When not in use, the shed looks just like a narrow storage shed, painted in Black Ash by Cuprinol, blending seamlessly into the garden. However, the clever door flaps double the size of the tiny workshop when opened, one opens and becomes the floor, the other becomes a roof offering rain protection.

The DIY tools are housed in a neat desk set-up, with no inch of surface space wasted. Even the folding panels that hold open the upper door flap have been hung with various tools for easy access. But that isn’t the only smart space-saving more; an overhanging green roof helps blend the garden in with the surrounding nature, and provides somewhere to store garden tools.

‘We needed a good bit of storage for the garden necessities. Off-the-shelf options would have taken up too much room so we went with a DIY design and build,’ says Mike. ‘I think ‘The Tiny Workshop’ has worked a treat. It’s a creative space where I can tinker and mend, as well as have the storage space for garden stuff, kids’ games and tools.’

This isn’t just a practical space; every detail has been considered right down to the door handles made from old spanners. ‘I designed brackets for the old spanner handles with a 3D printer – they’re useful and give a clue to what is inside,’ he adds.

‘In a difficult time of paying more and getting less, ‘The Tiny Workshop’ is a shining example of what can be achieved even in the most compact of spaces,’ praises Andrew Wilcox, founder and head judge of Cuprinol Shed of the Year.

‘Traditionally, sheds have just been seen as somewhere to store your tools, or perhaps somewhere to potter and play – ‘The Tiny Workshop’ takes this seemingly basic concept and turns into something so inspired but also still very practical, and truly nothing like we’ve seen before in this competition’s history,’ he adds.

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Have you been inspired to get creative with your garden shed?

Moonlighting is the breakout garden trend for autumn – experts reveal how to give your outdoor space a whimsical glow

by Furnishly | Sep 6, 2025 | Design Inspiration

September is here, and while that means the return of all things pumpkin spice (yay), it also means the evenings are getting darker earlier (boo). But, there is a glimmer of light in the evening’s newfound darkness, and that is a whimsical new outdoor lighting trend to keep us illuminated all autumn long.

Moonlighting is the breakout garden lighting idea for the autumn and one of the best ways to create a cosy, ambient atmosphere in your garden as you relax by a fire pit or the best patio heater on milder evenings.

Inspired by the moon, this trend mimics the glow of the moon by subtly casting shadows and creating soft, dappled light reminiscent of moonbeams. Here’s how to do it in your garden.

What is moonlighting?

Moonlighting adds a whimsical and nostalgic touch to your garden. If you’ve strived for the fairytale garden look all summer, this is definitely a trend for you.

‘As summer slowly draws to a close and the evenings begin to get darker, outdoor lighting will help you make the most of your garden in the autumn and winter months. There are many ways you can place lighting to create the right ambience, and moonlighting is a lovely, subtle way to bring a cosy, atmospheric feel to your garden’ says Adam Wilkins, managing director at Lighting Legends.

‘Moonlighting is a trend we’ll be seeing more of over the coming months, thanks to the soft, cosy atmosphere it provides. Using this effect will make you feel as though you’re wrapped up in nature, with gentle light filtering through just like moonlight.’

How to get the look

To create a moon-lit look, you’ll want to pay attention to creating pools of light in your garden, as if moonbeams are beaming down.

‘Placing lights high in trees or on elevated structures creates a natural play of light and shadow that evokes the romance of a full moon. Solar lights offer a warm, understated radiance for this technique, illuminating with elegance while preserving a dreamlike atmosphere, perfect for evening gatherings or quiet moments outdoors,’ advises Alex Bridgman, CEO of Bridgman.

You can also include ground lights to accentuate the main beams coming down from your trees or fences. This summer, we saw the globe light trend making its way into every garden, so why not continue the trend with these stunning lights? In fact, Habitat’s Solar Mood Light (was £25, now £16.63) looks just like a moon, giving the trend a little more emphasis.

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‘Autumn evenings arrive earlier, and by utilising this trend, you can maximise your time in the garden. Crisp autumn evenings are perfect for cosy firepit gatherings and outdoor dinners; this trend allows you to light these outdoor retreats in an ambient and comfortable light setting. The beauty of autumn is also accented, highlighting reds and amber colour tones that are naturally occurring,’ concludes Jamie Moxey, lighting expert at Dusk Lighting.

‘It makes a garden feel a bit more welcoming and makes it easier to navigate patios and garden paths after dark. Ensuring a mix of practicality as well as aesthetics. It’s a really good way of highlighting any garden features as well, without subjecting them to harsh lights that startle more than enhance.’

Are you feeling inspired to try it in your garden?

‘Everyone fights over who is going to get it first’ – shoppers can’t stop raving about Argos’ foldable sun lounger, it’s now £40 in the sale

by Furnishly | Aug 22, 2025 | Design Inspiration

Even though the summer is slowly coming to an end, we still have some days of glorious weather left in the tank this year. Not to mention that this is one of the best times to nab some great outdoor furniture bargains – much like the Argos folding wooden sun lounger, which is currently selling for £40 in the retailer’s big sale.

Argos’ own outdoor offering often gets overshadowed by Habitat garden furniture which the retailer also stocks. But you can find some of the best garden furniture at even better prices in the Argos range – the rattan-effect garden sofa set and this sun lounger are the perfect examples.

The stylish yet affordable sun lounger in question was originally selling for £100. But in the sale, the price has been slashed by half to £50 – and Argos is currently offering an extra 20% off promotion with the code EXTRA20 applied at checkout, bringing the total to £40.

Why should you invest in the Argos sun lounger?

If this bargain of a garden furniture deal wasn’t quite enough to convince you – which is fair enough – then let me present to you my other reasons for recommending this product.

For starters, existing customers can’t seem to get enough of this lounger as the product boasts over 330 five-star reviews.

One shopper wrote, ‘I bought this lounger for my garden. At the time I didn’t need it, but it was in the sale. It’s is so comfortable and everyone fights over who is going to get it first. I will be getting another one this year!’

Another customer review reads, ‘I bought this sun lounger and can see it’s going to be my star purchase this summer! Very sturdy, pre-assembled do only two steps to completely put it together, looks great in the garden! Easy pick up from Argos, fitted in the boot with the seats down.’

Another reason is that it makes for the perfect small garden idea since the design can be folded away for easy storage. With Google searches for ‘foldaway sun lounger’ rising by 110% just in the last week alone, it looks like this feature is sought after by many.

What to style it with

Last but not least, it looks really chic and so much more expensive than it actually is. What more could you ask for?

This is the product my family in Spain swear by to repel flying insects – and it’s under £10 on Amazon

by Furnishly | Aug 20, 2025 | Design Inspiration

Mosquitoes and midges are the bane of any summer. After a trip to visit family in Spain, I now have exactly what I need to repel them from my patio – citronella incense coils (£9.99 at Amazon).

I’m lucky enough to have family in rural Spain, which means family reunions often take place in the sunshine; however, as with a lot of warm climates, it brings an abundance of flying pests. But one thing my aunt and uncle swear by is mosquito coils, which have proven to be one of the best ways to get rid of mosquitoes I’ve seen.

Similar to burning incense, you light one of these coils on your outdoor dining table or best garden furniture set, and the scent and smoke works to repel mosquitoes. This is everything you need to know.

How do mosquito coils work?

‘A mosquito coil is a spiral-shaped insect repellent that slowly burns to release smoke containing mosquito-repelling chemicals,’ explain experts at The Pest Master. ‘It’s a common and inexpensive method to keep mosquitoes away, especially in outdoor or semi-open spaces’

Typically scented with citronella, a citrusy scent that pests hate, these coils irritate and confuse mosquitoes, and if exposed to prolonged exposure, can kill them.

‘Mosquito coils act by smouldering a spiral-coiled mixture with an active ingredient, typically a synthetic pyrethroid like allethrin or prallethrin that has similar chemical characteristics to naturally occurring pyrethrins found in chrysanthemum blossoms,’ says Tony King, pest control expert, owner and manager of The Pied Piper.

‘While mosquito coils are intended to keep mosquitoes away, the smoke will also drive other flying insects like gnats, midges, and a few kinds of flies away because the active substances act as a generic irritant to their nervous system.’

I myself noticed that insects like wasps seemed a little less bothersome when one of these coils was lit. Smoke is a scent that wasps can’t stand; however, experts at The Pest Master are keen to point out that this is not an effective deterrent long-term, as they will fly away temporarily if they find the smoke unpleasant.

Mosquito coils don’t require any electricity and are available in most convenience stores in warmer climates.

‘They’re one of the most widely used mosquito control tools in warm climates for a reason,’ say The Pest Master experts.

Now, the exact brand my family buy is only available in Spain, but I’ve rounded up some similar alternatives with great reviews.

However, it’s important to note you shouldn’t use them indoors, and they’ll be less effective when it’s windy.

But when the sun sets in England, and the mosquitoes come out, there’s nothing else I would choose to use to stop mosquitoes ruining my summer plans.

Argos has slashed the price of its 5-star rated rattan garden furniture sofa set to £160 – act fast before it sells out

by Furnishly | Aug 11, 2025 | Design Inspiration

If you haven’t snapped up any garden furniture this summer, you’re in luck as Argos Home’s five-star 4 Seater Rattan Effect Garden Sofa Set is currently half price after the retailer slashed the price from £320 to £160.

Argos Home’s five-star 4 Seater Rattan Effect Garden Sofa quickly emerged as one of the best garden furniture sets of the summer, racking up thousands of five-star reviews online, with customers praising its affordability and high quality.

Now, the set, in the stunning shade ‘natural’, is just £160, making it one of the best value-for-money outdoor sofa sets I’ve seen, and a great deal to snap up. But if you want to get your hands on one, you’ll have to be quick, as this is likely to sell out fast.

When I’d first spotted the Argos Home 4 Seater Rattan Effect Garden Sofa Set, I was surprised (yet very impressed) to see such an affordable sofa set rack up so many positive reviews, especially considering that many affordable or high street garden furniture sets can cost upwards of £500.

So, I can’t stress enough how impressive the current sale price is, and if I had a garden (the downside of a third-floor flat), I’d be snapping it up myself. This is not to say this set won’t suit a small garden or patio. The compact set-up is ideal for two sunbathing adults, but you can easily host four if you’re having any BBQs or garden parties.

The set comes with six plush outdoor cushions and a footstool, which can be used as an extra seat or as a storage ottoman. You can also remove the cushion from your footstool and use the rattan effect top as a coffee table. For just £160, this is a fantastic deal.

The Argos Home 4 Seater Rattan Effect Garden Sofa Set is available in ‘natural’ and ‘grey’, but right now, it’s just the ‘natural’ colourway that’s on sale. But a creamy, beige hue, it’s a great example of how the best rattan garden furniture should look. But don’t just take it from me, here are a couple of the set’s glowing reviews.

‘This has been a big hit for the whole family and created a nice seating area where we sit and chat or lie and read. Much more comfortable than expected and a good size. We went right-handed, which made buying a cover a little trickier, but we got there. Super easy to assemble, feels firm and is a lovely patio addition,’ said one.

‘I brought this 2 weeks ago and absolutely love it it is so comfortable to sit on and bring a touch of style too my garden I have always wanted one of these but my garden is small (court yard) and this fits in it lovely was recommended to me by my daughter in law who has the grey one in her garden Takes a bit of time to put together but is worth it,’ says another.

Alternatives

In case this sofa set sells out, here are a few more highly rated garden furniture sets you can pick up at Argos.

If you’re still in the market for a garden furniture set, then the Argos Home 4 Seater Rattan Effect Garden Sofa Set is great value for money, and if the countless reviews singing its praises are anything to go by, stylish and quality addition to your garden.