Give your garden the ultimate glow up with lights, music and BBQ action

(This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.)

From atmospheric lighting and quality sound to crowd-pleasing barbecues and cosy heating, here’s our guide to the best products for giving your garden a proper glow up, whatever its size.

LIGHTS

Large Garden: Philips Hue Outdoor Lights controlled effortlessly with Retrotouch Friends of Hue switch

For a permanent, atmospheric lighting scheme that puts you firmly in control, Philips Hue’s extensive range of outdoor lights in multiple colourways is hard to beat. You can choose between Wall & Architectural lights; Spotlights & Path lights; Security-Style Floodlights; Strip lights for running along fences; and String Lights.

The Low-volt collection is a DIY-friendly option as it lets you connect multiple lights to a single power supply unit, plug it into

any standard wall outlet, and immediately start lighting your space. Philips Hue Low Volt base kit with 3 white/coloured

spotlights Philips Hue Bridge smart control, from £319.99

www.philips-hue.com

Manage your lighting remotely using the Retrotouch Friends of Hue kinetic switch, pictured left (From £45.00 from www.retrotouch.co.uk) which gives you fuss-free, battery-free control. Fully integrated with the Hue app, Alexa, Google

Assistant, Apple HomeKit, the switch lets you effortlessly set the mood, whether that’s a warm welcome glow on arrival or a dramatic scene to complement an al fresco dinner.

Small Garden, Balcony or Patio: Rechargeable Tabletop Lanterns

For smaller spaces, there’s real charm in a collection of rechargeable tabletop or hanging lanterns. Portable and fuss-free, they cast a beautiful warm light without any wiring or installation and can be moved around as the evening unfolds. Look for solar-charged or USB-rechargeable options. From brushed metal to coloured glass, there’s something to suit every garden. LED Rechargeable Table Light - Black – DUSK RRP £24.00.

MUSIC

Large Garden: Lithe Audio indoor-outdoor weatherproof Wireless Speaker

If you love music outdoors and want a truly premium, permanent, weatherproof solution, the Lithe Audio iO1 All-in-One Wireless Speaker is in a class of its own. Fully waterproof and with exceptional sound quality, it can be wall-mounted, ceiling-mounted, fitted in a corner, or planted in the lawn on a garden spike, making it remarkably versatile for larger gardens and terraces.

There’s no need for a separate amplifier or receiver; the amp and all connectivity are built in. Set up simply requires a qualified electrician to connect it to a standard or outdoor electrical outlet, or into an existing lighting circuit.

The connectivity is impressive: the iO1 features Apple AirPlay 2, Google Cast, and Spotify Connect built in, and it’s ideal for multi-zone set-ups across the garden. Bluetooth is also on board, along with voice control via Google Home and Alexa. Choose from a black or white finish. A single iO1 Master Speaker is priced from £599.99 RRP, with additional iO1 Passive Speakers from £249.99 RRP. See www.litheaudio.com for stockists.

Small Garden, Balcony or Patio: Portable Bluetooth Speaker

For balconies, patios and smaller outdoor spaces, a rechargeable portable Bluetooth speaker is a brilliantly simple option.

Today’s compact wireless speakers deliver impressive sound quality and sit neatly on a garden table without taking over. Look for an IPX5 or higher waterproof rating so a light shower won’t ruin the party, and a battery life of at least eight hours to see you through a long summer evening.

JBL Go 5

RRP £39.99 from www.uk.jbl.com

BARBECUE ACTION

Large Garden: Pit Boss Classic Onyx Edition advanced wood pellet grill and smoker

Bring the best to your cookout with the Pit Boss® Classic Onyx Edition. This wood pellet grill combines proven Pit Boss performance with advanced digital technology and a distinctive look, making it a versatile and dependable choice for everyday and party grilling.

Offering 4,769 cm² of cooking space – that’s up to 31 burgers at one time! - and an 8.5 kg hopper (pellet) capacity, the Classic can handle everything from smaller weeknight meals to weekend ‘low and slow’ party entertaining.

The advanced digital control board allows precise temperature control from 82 to 260 °C in 5-degree increments, while the Flame Broiler™ enables direct flame searing at temperatures up to 535 °C. An inbuilt meat probe ensures results are just how you like

them.

Designed for true versatility, the Classic delivers Pit Boss’ 8-in-1 cooking capability, allowing users to smoke, bake, sear, grill, barbecue, braise, char-grill, and roast, all in one machine. RRP £649, available from UK BBQ specialists nationwide www.uk.pitboss-grills.com

Small Garden, Balcony or Patio: Char-Broil Grill2Go X100

Perfect for smaller gardens or a beach barbecue with friends, the Char-Broil Grill2Go portable gas barbecue is designed to bring great-tasting BBQ food wherever life takes you. Compact, durable and easy to transport, the Grill2Go is built for outdoor living.

What really sets it apart is its exclusive TRU-Infrared™ cooking technology which distributes heat evenly across the cooking surface, helping to eliminate flare-ups and ensuring food cooks consistently with up to 50% juicier food, whether you’re grilling burgers at the campsite, sausages at a garden gathering or chicken skewers at a beach party.

Designed with convenience in mind, the Grill2Go features a lid-mounted temperature gauge so you can easily monitor the heat while cooking.

There’s no need to guess when the grill is ready or worry about burning dinner. With a generous 200 square inch (1,290cm²) cooking area, there’s enough space to cook up to eight burgers at once, making it perfect for feeding family and friends.

Simply connect it to a portable gas canister and you’re ready to cook. For longer BBQ sessions at home or on extended trips, an optional hose attachment allows connection to a larger gas bottle. Available from Amazon, Robert Dyas and garden centres nationwide,

RRP: £229.99.

WARMTH FROM SUNSET AND BEYOND

Large Garden: Freestanding Gas Patio Heater

As the sun dips and the temperature drops, a full-height freestanding gas patio heater is the best way to keep a large group warm without anyone having to head indoors. Gas models, typically propane-powered, offer the freedom to position the heater exactly where you need it, without dependence on a nearby outdoor socket.

Look for a pyramid or mushroom-style heater with an output of around 13kW, adjustable heat settings, and a metal reflector that directs warmth downward and outward. A tip-over safety switch is an essential feature, and wheels on the base make repositioning easy. A stainless steel or powder-coated finish will weather the British seasons with minimal fuss.

Realglow 13KW Pyramid Flame Patio Heater

£199.99 from www.gasdepot.co.uk

Small Garden, Balcony or Patio: Dreamland Heated Throw

For cosier spaces, the answer isn’t a heater at all - it’s a Dreamland heated throw.

These beautifully soft electric blankets are the ultimate companion for summer evenings that turn unexpectedly cool, letting you linger outside long after the temperature drops without compromising on comfort.

Dreamland has coined the phrase ‘Alfresco Cosymaxxing’ to describe those snuggly outdoor moments shared with friends and

family, cosied up together under a warm blanket.

Dreamland’s Hygge Luxury Fur

Warming Throw (£129.99) or the Snuggle Up Warming Throw (£69.99) are soft and feature a 5-minute fast heat-up. Available from Argos, John Lewis, Amazon and other major retailers.

Whether you’re working with acres of lawn or a single sun-drenched balcony, the right combination of lighting, sound, cooking and warmth can transform your outdoor space into your favourite room in the house, just with better views.