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Apr 07, 2024

34 Items To Help You Get More Use Out Of Your Backyard

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed collects a share of sales and/or other compensation

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed collects a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.

Everything you'll need to organize, repurpose, or beautify your patio and backyard space.

BuzzFeed Staff

Promising review: "Living in Hawaii you have to select wise items that are weather-, salt-, and red dirt–proof, etc... In total I ordered 11 boxes to complete my yoga deck. I have a few left over to make steps on the back. Very pleased and happy. May order more for an outdoor shower project!" —Adazzle

Get 10 square feet from Amazon for $73.79.

Promising review: "It is our walkway from the driveway to our side door, across 40 feet of lawn. The rain goes through. Your feet stay dry and clean. You don’t slip because of the textured surface. It looks and works better than artificial grass, flagstone, or mulch. It can be moved easily. Love it." —Sandra Anderson

Get an 8-foot path from Amazon for $80.36.

Promising review: "Impressed with the size of the cell which provides a larger surface area for charging. The lights are the brightest I've seen for a solar light and the illumination covers a nice range. Placed them along my pond giving the place a classy look." —Percussionist

Get a pack of six from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in three colors and two quantities).

Reviewers note that you should remove the bulbs before stringing up the strands and then install the bulbs.

Promising review: "I am loving my new lights! Just got them up in time for hanging out on the back deck for springtime. They give a great outdoor cafe feel to my back deck. I advise purchasing extra light bulbs when purchasing these lights. It comes with one extra, but they are extremely fragile/delicate. We ended up breaking four total during the hanging process." —charlee harris

Get a strand from Amazon for $17.95+ (available in four colors, four lengths, and a two-pack option).

But really though, why isn't every grill equipped with these from the factory?

Promising review: "This was a surprise for my husband. He loves them. The lights are nice and bright and make grilling those last few things that didn't get finished before dark hot. He's also used them early in the morning when he's setting the smoker up before dawn. He's happy and finding them very useful. He especially loves the magnet on bottom so he can hang them off of so many things while he's busy and he can use the flexibility to shine them where he needs them. Very awesome and easy to use." —Holly Gomez

Get two from Amazon for $19.97.

Brickwood Ovens is a Lynden, Washington-based shop that sells downloadable pizza oven plans for less than a buck, along with this form! With this form, you can build the base and oven in just three weekends (or less). And it looks great with any color of fire brick.

Get the plans from Brickwood Ovens on Etsy for $194.99.

Promising review: "The only problem I have with this chair is that I only have one of them and the whole family now fights over it! Seriously, it is THAT comfortable and relaxing. Pretty easy to put together. My husband got it all assembled in less than an hour and then proceeded to open up a beer and fall asleep in it next to the pool, HA! I like to take my laptop out with me and work in it as the moveable umbrella shades my screen. Love love LOVE it!!" —Erin S

Get it from Amazon for $229.99 (available in nine colors).

FYI, this includes a spreader bar for easy setup and can hold up to 450 pounds.

Promising review: "This hammock is much more comfortable than any of those that we’ve had in the past. It looks great in the yard and is very comfortable and soft." —D

Get it from Amazon for $64.24+ (available in 12 colors).

The four-piece set include two club chairs, a loveseat, and one coffee table.

Promising review: "Looks fantastic and quality is better than expected. Deep, comfortable seats. Love the dark teal color. We have it inside a covered area, so not sure how it would fare in the elements." —Left Hanging

Get it from Target for $341.24+ (originally $454.99; and available in two colors).

Patuu Living is a small business based in Estonia that specializes in producing indoor and outdoor floor cushions and benches.

Promising review: "It's gorgeous. I love mine so much I'm upset that I didn't get the largest size." —Alexis C.

Get it from Patuu Living on Etsy for $70.91+ (originally $78.79+; available in 15 colors and in 27 sizes).

It's made of thick durable steel and covered with rust-resistant, high-temperate paint. And the effect of the light shining through the moon and stars at night? Stunning.

Promising review: "Got this as part of our backyard renovation project. Shipping was super fast, received it earlier than expected. Large fire pit, super easy to assemble. It’s a sturdy piece! I read the reviews and decided to take some precautions — we drilled three drain holes at the base, fast and easy to do. We also bought a cover just in case. Used it the same day during a chilly North Carolina night to watch an outdoor movie with friends and blankets in the backyard. Worked amazingly and kept us toasty. Love the cutouts! Friends asked where we got it all night. Would recommend to anyone!" —Isabel

Get it from Amazon for $239.

Plus it isn't inflatable like other little pools, so you don't have to worry about your dog puncturing it. And while we're on the subject, check out hot weather pet tips from the ASPCA.

Promising review: "The perfect size for our golden retriever (80 lbs). Easy to open, unfold, fill up, and put away! Very happy I selected this model and size when searching for a pool for him." —Katy Ryan

Get it from Amazon for $49.99.

Promising review: "This skimmer does exactly what it is supposed to do. Catches things like leaves and insects that fall into the pool, anything that is floating on the pool surface eventually gets pulled in. The surface of my 18-foot Intex pool was cleaned within just a couple of hours after installation. The box comes with everything you should need to install it, so you don't need to buy extra hoses or hose adapters. The skimmer came with two different types of mounting bracket and one of them fit my Ultraframe Intex pool perfectly, I know some people had to get creative with how they mounted their skimmers, but luckily I didn't have to. I would recommend purchasing this skimmer to anyone with one of the Intex pools, it saves a lot of extra work." —thisguy

Get it from Amazon for $23.19.

Promising review: "This little guy has become my best friend. I will admit that I didn't hold out much promise that it would clean my pool effectively. But the first time I set this guy in my pool and watched as it ran around the bottom of my pool leaving it just as clean as when I stand there and manually vacuum. I high recommend this product. The only down fall is it does not clean the corner that well but I just brush them after it is done and filter out that little bit of dirt. I am so glad that I did this." —Terry

Get it from Amazon for $299.99 (available in two colors).

The heater stands 87-inches tall.

Promising review: "Had a Hampton Bay patio heater from HD that got blown over from the winds and decided to take a chance on an Amazon Basics heater. Surprised at the quality of the heater, sheet metal body seems thicker and the water filled base actually helped keep it standing against moderate winds. Wheels helped with moving it around. But the best pro here is that it's under $100 vs. $250 at the stores while being as good or better in quality." —Han

Get it from Amazon for $141+ (available in three designs).

The air couch includes a compact pouch for on-the-go lounging, and weighs just two pounds!

Promising review: This is a fabulous product! After seeing someone using one in a park, we ordered two. Once we figured out how to inflate (took a couple of tries to get the knack), it's super easy. So comfortable, so easy to use/carry/store. Has been wonderful to have during quarantine — we lounge in our yard reading and relaxing. Invariably, neighbors stop to ask about them. We absolutely love our Wekapos!" —KCHWriter

Get it from Amazon for $38.95+ (available in 16 styles).

This toy is ideal for kids ages 1–12. It features options with animals and letters around the mat so little ones can learn while they cool off — win-win!

Promising review: "Bought this for my 6-year-old grandson and we tried it out today. Filling it up was easy, just screw it into the hose and once the outer rim fills with water the water will come out the holes to make a fun spray. He really enjoyed it! He figured out that if he stepped on the edge the water spray got higher. We have a well so I let him play with the water running for 15 minutes but after I shut the water off the outer rim holds the water for more fun! He had a blast with this and I had great joy watching him!! I would definitely recommend!😉" —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in six sizes and four styles).

Faircraft USA is a Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania-based Etsy shop run by a husband-and-wife duo creating beautiful and functional wooden home goods.

Promising review: "Purchased this as a gift for my brother to go with his corn hole boards. It is just as pictured. It seems like it'll be a little low to the ground for taller men standing around a corn hole board...but better than the beers sitting on the ground or in the off hand. Beautiful workmanship. Highly recommend this product and shop!" —Hayley

Get it from Faircraft USA on Etsy for $60.

Promising review: "These are great. They are large enough to hold large drink tumblers like a Yeti, they will hold a beer with a thick foam koozie, they will hold a giant Fosters can, and yes, it is large enough to hold a bottle of wine. They are made out of metal and seem pretty durable. Each one is two pieces that screw together and they have a small tab to help you push them into the ground with your feet. The only thing I would improve is to make the foot tab a little larger, otherwise they have my stars." —Jamawama

Get a set of four from Amazon for $19.13.

Promising review: "I bought these because of the good ratings, and because I wanted the rounded shape in black to go with another pot I have. These really look nice, are light, are sturdy and don't look like plastic pots. I'm very pleased with the quality. Now I'm looking to re-pot everything." —Roy R.

Get them from Amazon for $26.99 (available in two colors).

Batteries are required but not included. You can purchase the AA batteries here!

Promising review: "When I bought this, it was totally on a whim. I was convinced that because it was so inexpensive, it would be a cheap piece of junk! Was I wrong! It does a great job of lighting up the table with the three different settings. AND, if you turn it upside-down, you can further vary the brightness. (Sometimes you just want a hint of a glow, rather than a spotlight in your face.) I'm very happy with this, especially since I left it out all summer long with no issues. It was hidden under a closed umbrella, but I'm sure it got a little damp with rainwater and it survived! For just $10, it is such an easy solution for my patio that has no electricity, and therefore, needs something battery powered." —LouiseN

Get it from Amazon for $11.97.

Promising review: "Good quality. Easy to assemble. Parts are individually bagged and labeled. Holds two 32-gallon round barrels — which is what I wanted it for. Very compact, which was a factor for where i had to put it." —Joe in Brooklyn

Get it from Amazon for $289.98+ (available in four styles). Also check out a similar shed in several sizes to find the right one to fit your space and needs.

It connects easily to a Fire TV Stick, laptop, DVD player, and more via HDMI input. And don't forget to grab a screen!

Promising review: "I NEVER leave reviews, but thought I should leave one because this thing is awesome. Super good quality picture! Could be a liiiittle brighter, but for the price, I’m not complaining. I use a Fire Stick and have no problems streaming anything at all. The sound isn’t super loud and doesn’t have any bass, so if you have people over, you probably won’t be able to hear very well if you use the projector speaker. Plug in a speaker through the aux cord jack, and there’s no issues!! 10/10 recommend for anyone wanting to have movie nights in the backyard. I got so many compliments; all of my friends have been asking me where to get it!" —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $89.99.

Promising review: "I purchased these to cover the side of my house. Installation was easy and I left them outside for two days to charge. The light coverage was about what I expected from them and do the job well. The motion sensitivity covers all the side and lights turn on. It has rained about three times and still work great and hoping they last for a long time." —J. Argueta

Get a set of four from Amazon for $29.99.

The mister will cool the surrounding area by 20 degrees, and it comes with an interchangeable flower-shaped misting head for a fun, whimsy detail.

Promising review: "Works exactly how I want it to. Provides a fine, cool mist on the patio, allowing us to enjoy the backyard until sunset without breaking a sweat. Easy to set up. It was out of the box and cooling us off within minutes." —Debra L. Kusek

Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (also available in multipacks).

Made with a bamboo handle and powder-coated steel, it uses a simple lever system to make weeding easy.

Promising review: "Oh my god, I friggin' love this tool. I bought this on a whim given we bought our first house and know nothing about caring for a yard. Boy has it come in handy. Our new house had a ton of weeds in the front yard and this tool helped me get most of them out in no time. In fact, the process of yanking out the weed was strangely satisfying! I don't think anyone can say that weeding is fun but this tool made it as close to fun as you can get, especially when you see a long root along with the weed you pulled." —JG

Get it from Amazon for $39.99.

Promising review: "These roasting sticks will get the job done. They retract easily and will be perfect for light use (roasting marshmallows) with our fire pit. Not extremely sturdy but not flimsy either. The metal points are not sharp which is a good thing if kids are handling them. I like the storage pouch it comes with too." —Sheri J. O

Get a set of five from Amazon for $6.99+ (available in five styles and two lengths).

This pad is said to be 5–10 degrees cooler than room temp, and reviewers say it also provides some relief for pets with joint pain.

Promising review: "I have a pug and a toy fox terrier/Chihuahua mix and they absolutely love this thing. I just leave it sitting on the living room floor and they gravitate towards it whenever they need to cool down (they sometimes even fight over it). Both fit simultaneously if they are in the mood for sharing the space. The mat is tough, too! I don't think their nails can penetrate it." —E Marsh

Get it from Amazon for $32.97+ (available in two colors).

But what do you do with them? Well, you can use them to play huge versions of your favorite dice games or invent your own! Plus, they come with dry-erase game boards to keep all participants honest ;).

Promising review: "Summer is here and when my family stops by we spend time visiting outside in the yard. The Lawn Dice Set is a huge hit with my grandsons. We’ve played Yahtzee several times and love it. The dice are sturdy and the dry erase board is an excellent way to keep score. It comes in a nice little carrying case with handle, perfect to take with you anywhere. I highly recommend this product." —Pat

Get them from Amazon for $35.08.

This pressure washer has a powerful 1,800-watt motor, five quick-connect spray tips, a 20-foot hose, and a 40.6 fluid ounce detergent tank.

Look at this TikTok to see just how effective this pressure washer really is!

Promising review: "This product did everything as promised. I had used a relative's power cleaner on the siding on my vacation mobile home. There was no setting, and the pressure was too much, and it scored the aluminum siding. With this product, you have all of the separate tips to regulate the pressure of the spray. The tip for aluminum siding worked very well on the siding for my home. It was truly a great experience. I put on the tip for aluminum siding to rinse it and held the spray nozzle very close to the siding, and all of the algae was removed, and my siding looked like new (at 18 years old!). I would definitely recommend this product, which is so reasonably priced for a power washer." —John K

Get it from Amazon for $219.99.

Promising review: "This grill is great! It has three burners so the things that you are grilling do not cook unevenly. I purchased a 20 lb-to-1 lb propane adapter and hooked up my 20 lb propane to it. It is easy to assemble. I usually prefer a charcoal grill over propane, but this grill came close to giving me the charcoal grill taste, it did not disappoint me. Awesome product!" —Michael S

Get it from Amazon for $225.49+ (available in five colors).

Patio Wise Store is a small business based in Wisconsin that sells indoor and outdoor furniture.

Promising reviews: "Awesome Folding Table !! This is perfect for my condo balcony. I’m going to use my table next to my BBQ for plating food and to hold drinks 🍹 The size is wonderful and very sturdy, easy to install and it’s real wood, stained beautifully and I love that I can fold it down as well." —Diane

Get it from Patio Wise on Etsy for $98.99 (originally $109.99).

HL Sculpture is a small business that is based in California and sells butterfly-feeding accessories, guitar pics, and wine stoppers.

Promising review: "This is a beautiful small art piece for my garden. I am so excited to see the butterflies 🦋 it will attract!" —Sandi K.

Get it from HL Sculpture on Etsy for $32.50.

Wind and Fire Chimes is an Etsy shop that sells wind chimes and bird feeders.

Promising review: "Exactly as described, beautiful addition to my patio." —Elizabeth C.

Get it from Wind and Fire Chimes on Etsy for $49.99+ (available in two engraving styles and a set of two)

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.