British Garden Centres says containers, vertical planting and compact furniture can help where outdoor space is limited.
The company has published a series of suggestions covering planting, seating and entertaining in smaller gardens.
It cites HTA Environmental Horticulture and Industry Insights 2025 figures which put the average urban garden size at 14.7 square metres.
For gardens dominated by patios or decking, British Garden Centres suggests using pots and containers instead of planting directly into the ground.
Different sized pots can be grouped together, while evergreen shrubs including skimmia, hebes and ivy can be grown in containers.
Gardeners can also use vertical space by growing plants against walls, fences, arches and trellises.
Climbing plants such as jasmine and roses can be trained onto trellises, while wall-mounted planters can be used for evergreens, perennials, grasses and succulents.
For seating, the advice includes using folding furniture, benches and smaller tables which take up less space and can be moved when they are not required.
Another suggestion is dividing a garden into different areas using arches, trellises, hedging, bamboo or metal screens.
Individual areas can then be used for seating, children's play or planting.
People planning a Bank Holiday gathering could also use bunting and festoon lights, which do not take up floor space.
Floor cushions, low stools and picnic blankets provide temporary seating, while a portable speaker and small drinks station can be added without requiring a large garden.
Darren Craven, Head of Outdoor Living at British Garden Centres, said: “Small gardens shouldn't mean small ambitions. With a bit of clever planning, whether that's planting upwards, zoning your space, or simply stringing up some festoon lights for a festival feel, even the most compact plot can become a proper outdoor room this bank holiday. It's all about making the space work as hard as possible for you.”
