52 Things That'll Easily Improve Your Patio, Porch, Garden, And Yard
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52 Things That'll Easily Improve Your Patio, Porch, Garden, And Yard

Apr 12, 2024

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.

Putting a walkway by your prized flower bed or rigging up a splash pad when your kids are begging for a pool will make you enjoy your outdoor space so much more.

BuzzFeed Staff

It's also got a bench and cup holders!

Promising review: "I have had this pool for about two weeks now and I LOVE IT!!! Was simple to set up, I got a little electric pump and it took about 10 minutes to inflate, then about half an hour to fill with water. Pay attention to making sure you set it up on level ground or it will be lopsided. It is probably good for two adults, maybe one adult and a couple of kids. The built-in seat and headrest are really quite comfy and relaxing. I will definitely buy this same pool again if it springs a leak and can't be fixed, if I could give it a 10 stars I would. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!!!" —kathryn j.

Get it from Amazon for $45.39.

Promising review (for the above pic): "So far so good. Going on five days now." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $13.99.

Promising reviews: "This is one of the greatest products I have gotten for my pool, I am really satisfied with it." —Kinis A blanco

"After one year of having an in-ground pool in Florida, we found that the water was cloudy. I was trying to get the water clean by running filter 24/7 and brushing daily for a week to no avail. I used 1.5 ounces of this and the water was clear a day later. Cleaned out the pool filter a day after to clear it all out. Happy with the purchase and would recommend to others." —jvb

Get it from Amazon for $8.99.

Get 10 from Amazon for $16.99.

Touch of ECO is a Connecticut-based Etsy shop specializing in various home items.

Promising review: "Just beautiful! I bought two and they are the perfect addition to my fairy garden." —Joy Sutton

Get it from Touch of ECO on Etsy for $19.99+ (available in a hanging or staked light version, and in packs of two).

Don't forget the inserts! Annnnnd, these pillows are made by a small business!

Promising review: "I have ordered two sets of these and am planning on switching all of my outdoor pillows to these. They are bright. The zipper is strong and the fabric is perfect for outdoors. I can't believe the price point for such high quality." —MLC

Get them from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in 3 sizes and 19 colors).

Made with a bamboo handle and powder-coated steel, it uses a simple lever system to made weeding easy. Also, Grampa's Weeder is a small business!

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 on Amazon for $39.99.

Promising review: "This is the greatest bistro set ever. I ordered the mint green and it came exactly as photographed. All three pieces are heavy, stable, and sturdy. Highly recommend!" —Maria Previs

Get it from Amazon for $109.99+ (available in nine colors and with or without cushions).

Plus, when you flip back over, there's a pillow that covers the hole to keep your head comfortable.

Promising review: "This is typically more than I would have spent on a lounge chair, but after seeing it on TikTok, I had to buy one!! The arm and face hole make tanning the backside so easy and comfortable!" —Keely Shay

Get it from Amazon for $51.75+ (available in four colors/patterns).

Promising review: "The pictures don't do these justice. At night my backyard looks like a scene from Avatar. The light itself is not bright, but the colors are very vibrant and intense. The color transition is gradual and glowing. They are hypnotic to watch. During the day they are unobtrusive and don't look too fake or artificial. The green leaves are very bendable, the stems of the flowers are somewhat pliable, and the cloth that makes up the petals can be smoothed and manipulated a bit so you can make them look different and more realistic. I've had them for a couple of weeks and so far they are performing perfectly. They are simply beautiful and we love them!" —Zavanna

Get eight flowers (between two bunches) from Amazon for $19.99.

Promising review: "I’ll be purchasing more of these lights! They are unique and very pretty. Bright white color! Reminds me of fireflies floating around!"—Dooleydoes

Get a pack of two from Amazon for $21.98.

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.

This weatherproof fan has a fully sealed and permanently lubricated industrial motor to protect it against wetness.

Promising review: "Great fan at a good price! I bought this fan for my backyard to help circulate the air in hot days and to help deter mosquitoes at night around the fire pit. This fan worked perfectly. It has three speeds, the highest of which is super strong. The fan at high speed is a bit noisy, but nothing unexpected of a powerful fan. It is also 100% waterproof, which is a must. My only minor issues would be 1) it would be nice if the fan came with a cover for when it’s not used (I bought 20-inch tire storage covers to do the job), and 2) the fan is only adjustable up and down not side to side — if they could make it oscillate that would be great. Having said that, I would recommend this fan for sure and would not hesitate to buy it again." —Bigdad

Get it from Amazon for $106.79+ (available in three sizes).

It has a range of up to 1,500 square feet!

Promising review: "Perfect for summer days. Absolutely in love with this product. We’ve been avoiding being outside in the evenings due to gnarly mosquito bites. But ever since we bought this product, it hasn’t been an issue! Highly recommend and try it out for yourself. You won’t regret it!" —Venus

Get it from Amazon for $26.90+ (available in three colors and another style).

Best Balcony Bars is a small business that sells custom balcony bar tops.

Promising review: "Absolutely love my new balcony bar! Pictures don’t do it justice, but it is sturdy, beautiful, and fits perfectly with what I wanted for my patio! Excellent response from the owner if you have any questions, and she ensures the measurements are spot on. Will definitely recommend to anyone looking to brighten up their balconies." —TamiK15

Get it from Best Balcony Bars on Etsy for $185.95+ (available in four stains and two lengths).

Beach State is a small business specializing in premium, high-quality beach umbrellas.

Check out a TikTok of the umbrella in action.

Promising review: "This umbrella is exactly what my family was looking for as our everyday beach umbrella — large diameter, high quality, and cute retro design. It is a higher-end umbrella but still slightly less expensive than the other big name designer beach gear company that we were considering. It is easy to pop up and stays standing, and we’ve had many compliments from other people at the beach asking where we got it. The customer service from the company was excellent. Would definitely recommend these umbrellas!" —Taryn

Get it from Amazon for $165 (available in seven colors).

It has three different brightness options so you can set *~the mood~* perfectly. It also requires AA batteries, so be sure to pick those up as well.

Promising review: "This light is great!!! It has three settings, to adjust the amount of brightness you need. Lowest level is great for just sitting around your patio table and having a couple of drinks with friends. Brightest setting is PERFECT for playing cards! We play cards a few times a month. We decided to try and play outside. There are two 70+-year-olds who did not complain that they couldn’t see. So, works great in my book! 😁" —Mandie Jordan

Get it from Amazon for $11.97.

Note that this includes just the umbrella, not the table!

Promising review: "I normally don’t like buying products like this sight unseen, but I’m very pleased with the look and especially with the solar lighting. We enjoyed a pleasant evening on the deck with just the right amount of ambient light tonight, and we are hopeful that it will prove to be durable." —Dee Williams

Get it from Amazon for $71.99 (available in 11 color combos).

This fits umbrellas as large as 9 feet.

Promising review: "Easy to set up and works GREAT! Finally can sit on our deck in the afternoon/evening again and not get eaten alive!!!" —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $27.99.

Promising review: "My pool is awesome when it gets into the hundreds of degrees here in California. We decided to grab a 20x20x20 triangle and holy cow does it do a number on the backyard! Not only does it keep my pool better-shaded, but it also keeps the sun off of my back patio during the hottest part of the day." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $30.98+ (available in five sizes and 12 colors).

"Roger, plz forward all my calls to the hammock."

Promising review: "If I had to pick one product to stand by for all of eternity, it would be this swing. First of all, it’s darling. We could start and end with its Anthro-Free People vibe alone. But those websites would sell it for an amount comparable to your mortgage and this little number is so ridiculously reasonable, it’s almost wasteful not to buy it. You can buy a pair and not be stuck slurping ramen for the rest of the month. Also, this swing is like therapy. But cheaper. Pop in some ear buds, hop in, close your eyes and swing. Phone ringing? Kids yelling? House on fire? Whatever. You’re swinging." —Sincerely Becca

Get it from Amazon for $62.99.

We've been seeing people's pets enjoying these all over TikTok! It is designed for kids ages 3–8.

Promising review: "I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of this item and the matching picnic table and chairs. However the cabana is much more difficult to assemble then the picnic table set. There was a step in which two people were absolutely required and you need a cordless screwdriver and hammer. My granddaughter loves them and I absolutely would recommend this purchase to anyone." —Terri

Get it from Amazon for $127.07 (also available in tan or gray or as a bundle).

Get it from Amazon for $31.99+ (available in seven colors).

Check out a TikTok of the computer shade in action.

Promising review: "Great product! Finally able to work by the pool without the computer overheating or the glare making it difficult to answer emails efficiently. A must-buy for anyone who works remotely and wants to soak up some summer vitamin D." —Jackie Wittlinger

Get it from Amazon for $54.99+ (available in two sizes).

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 sq. ft. from Amazon for $81.99.

My colleague Mallory Mower used these tiles to cover her rental apartment's bathroom floor with amazing results.

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

Promising review: "These lights were perfect for my patio, I've recieved plenty of compliments so far. The Edison light bulbs and beautiful and offer the perfect amount of lighting for any occasion...the clips were ideal for my eaves, the overhang of the roof, which made for simple installation...now just need to find a dimmer capable of handling the required wattage and the package will be complete." —Brody Vins

Get a strand from Amazon for $15.98+ (available in several styles and lengths).

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 six from Amazon for $19.99.

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

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 $60.65+ (available in 14 colors).

Get an 8-foot path from Amazon for $84.95.

Get them from Amazon for $45.99.

Promising review: "My family has had a blast with these this summer. Easy to fill up to get the fun started! Just make sure to make all players agree to the yard pickup afterwards, but it’s worth it!" —Momof3

Get 350 balloons from Amazon for $24.99 (available in three color combos).

Several reviewers shared that this little pool kept their kids engaged for hours.

Promising review: "My kids love this. It is soo easy to plug the hose into and turn the water on and the kids can have hours of fun. Once the kids are done playing, I disconnect the hose let the water drain, and hang it over the porch." —Austin

Get it from Amazon for $24.95+ (available in four styles).

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 $22.29.

Promising review: "As always, my order was shipped quickly and in perfect condition. I love the bright colors and they are talk and sturdy. They are perfect for bottles, cabs, and cups... Not so good with stemmed wine glasses! No problem: I just ordered silicone stemless wineglasses!" —LaDonna Clark

Get a set of six from Amazon for $32.47 (also available in sets of four). Or get a set made for stemmed wine glasses here.

Promising review: "This is the second privacy screen I've purchased from Amazon. I have an area in my garden visible from the street. The screen hides all my gardening stuff (i.e. wheelbarrow, buckets, etc.). It truly looks like the real deal!!!" —soooz

Get a 94-inch X 39-inch roll from Amazon for $39.99 (available in two larger sizes).

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 $29.99+ (available in two sizes).

Pop Up Pet Door is a Carlsbad, California-based Etsy shop specializing in easy to install pet doors.

Promising review: "SO great! The pet door is everything they said it would be: lightweight, easy install and transportable! My cat loves being able to go on the balcony without having someone open the door for her. I love it already." —Kita

Get it from Pop Up Pet Door on Etsy for $74.99+ (available in three sizes).

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 $34.99+ (available in nine 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 ;).

Get them from Amazon for $35.08.

The kit comes with the giant bubble wand, two pouches of bubble concentrate, and a booklet to help you become a skilled bubble creator!

Promising review: "Love this!! Easy for kids to use — my six-year-old son figured it out pretty quick — and fun for adults as well (my husband and I might have played with it as much as our son did...) Makes amazing bubbles. The bubble mix it comes with is fantastic." —Thomas Durant

Get it from Amazon for $15.95+ (available in six styles).

It works on wood, tile, fiberglass, showers, floors, counters, and grout!

RMR Brands is a small business specializing in professional-grade cleaning solutions for your home.

Promising review: "I bought this RMR spray with low expectations, even with the good reviews. I sprayed a small patch in the evening and let it sit overnight. The next morning, the grout where I had sprayed was as white as if it were brand new. I decided to spray the entire wall and part of the roof. The next day everything I sprayed had no visible mold. By the third night, I was pretty much spraying everything left in the shower. This stuff is amazing." —John Werner

Get it from Amazon for $16.99 (available in three sizes and multipacks).

Check out a TikTok of the watermelon cutter in action.

Promising review: "This tool is so handy!! I hate cutting watermelon, and this is so fast and easy to use and easy to wash. I cut a watermelon in less than five minutes. It cuts yellow watermelon too!!! The included baller is great for the small left over, hard-to-reach places." —Andrea Draine

Get it from Amazon for $12.37.

Promising review: "I used to play Ultimate Frisbee in college and it took me a lot of practice to get my throws down. Wanting to teach my kiddos how to throw, I researched and ended up buying these. I REALLY like them! I bought one set of two. And want to buy more. They are super easy for beginners to learn on and almost always fly true. They also don’t hurt when they hit you and my kids can catch them. Win. Win. Great colors and design! And they can skip a little bit. 🥏💗" —asnowmomma

Get a pack of two from Amazon for $16.99 (available in nine colors).

Tiki Toss is a small business that took a classic hook and ring game to the next level by creating several unique ways to play it.

Promising review: "We all love this game. Everyone who comes over cannot stop playing Tiki Toss. So simple and so fun. Quality and design of product is fantastic. Also makes a great gift." —jzek

Get it from Amazon for $21.43+ (available in three sizes).

Promising review: "Purchased for my grandson who loves to play in the water. Perfect height for a 2-year-old. Easy to put together, sturdy and lots of different things to do. The top part is like a waterfall, it has lots of little holes for the water to come through." —dd

Get it from Amazon for $79.99.

Promising review: “We purchased this to fill some patches in our backyard that were damaged by our puppy. Works like a charm. The one caveat is that you really do have to water it a bit every day. Once it takes off though, it grows pretty quickly! Within one week of planting this, we had 1-inch long grass blades. One month later, all the patches are gone. Highly recommended!” —Jessica N.

Get it from Amazon for $16.44 (available in five sizes and one, two, four and six-packs).

Tom's Ridickulous Things is a Toronto-based shop with tons of fun chicken beer can variations.

Get it from Tom's Ridickulous Things on Etsy for $28.69+ (available in three "bike" styles).

Promising review: "Best purchase! We bought it for the kids but my husband and I stayed up until 1 a.m. playing!! It was a hit at our party! Great quality. Yes, you can hit the bar and release the discs, but it hasn't happened to us and wouldn't be a big deal if it did! Totally worth it! So glad we got it!!" —Rechel B

Get it from Amazon for $70.99+ (available in two sizes).

Promising review: "The only problem I have with this chair is: 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 $219.99 (available in four colors).

This product is designed for kids aged 3–5.

Promising review: "Highly recommend for an active, thrill-seeking toddler!! My daughter has used this daily since she was 16 months old. At first she just wanted to walk up and down the ramp while holding my hand and push the car down (without riding it), or she would ride it with me on it too (I'm 120 lbs and she's around 25 lbs and we never had an issue). But since around 18 months...she climbs up the steps, plops down on the car, and rides it down the ramp...over and over again. Granted, I'm always right there beside her JUST in case, but she's become a 'me do it myself' kind of girl, so she insists on doing it all by herself now. I think we'll get years of use with this toy and I'd buy it again in a heartbeat!" —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $109.99.

Promising review: "So incredibly happy with this super cute Minnie Mouse picnic table. 💞 Besides it being incredibly cute, it’s made from weather-resistant plastic, is easy to assemble/disassemble, sturdy, and the perfect spot for the kids to eat their food and snacks!" —d.sievers

Get it from Amazon for $74.99 (available in three styles).

Maximum weight is 260 pounds.

Promising review: "Very, very sturdy and easy assembly. We had a reunion, and this swing kept the kids busy for hours. I definitely will be buying another." —msbakwudhic

Get it from Amazon for $57.99.

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.

Promising review:Was simple to set up, I got a little electric pump and it took about 10 minutes to inflate, then about half an hour to fill with water. The built-in seat and headrest are really quite comfy and relaxingPromising review (for the above pic): Promising reviews: the water was clear a day laterHappy with the purchase and would recommend to others.Promising review: Promising review:Promising review: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 getPromising review:Promising review:Promising review:The green leaves are very bendable, the stems of the flowers are somewhat pliable, and the cloth that makes up the petals can be smoothed and manipulated a bit so you can make them look different and more realistic.Promising review:Promising review:Provides a fine, cool mist on the patio, allowing us to enjoy the backyard until sunset without breaking a sweat.Promising reviewI bought this fan for my backyard to help circulate the air in hot days and to help deter mosquitoes at night around the fire pit. This fan worked perfectlyPromising reviewPromising review: Promising reviewwhat my family was looking for as our everyday beach umbrella — large diameter, high quality, and cute retro designwe’ve had many compliments from other people at the beach asking where we got it. Promising review:Lowest level is great for just sitting around your patio table and having a couple of drinks with friends.Promising review:Promising review:Promising review:We decided to grab a 20x20x20 triangle and holy cow does it do a number on the backyard! Not only does it keep my pool better-shaded, but it also keeps the sun off of my back patio during the hottest part of the day."Promising review:Promising review:My granddaughter loves them and I absolutely would recommend this purchase to anyone.Promising review: Promising review:Promising review:Promising review:Promising review:Promising review:Promising review:Promising review:Promising review:Promising review:Promising review:Promising reviewPromising review:Promising review:and fun for adults as well (my husband and I might have played with it as much as our son did...)Promising review:I sprayed a small patch in the evening and let it sit overnight. The next morning, the grout where I had sprayed was as white as if it were brand new.Promising review:I cut a watermelon in less than five minutes.Promising reviewThey are super easy for beginners to learn on and almost always fly true. They also don’t hurt when they hit you and my kids can catch them. Win. Win. Promising review: Promising review:Promising review:Promising review:We bought it for the kids but my husband and I stayed up until 1 a.m. playing!!Promising review:Promising review: But since around 18 months...she climbs up the steps, plops down on the car, and rides it down the ramp...over and over again.Promising review:Promising review:We had a reunion, and this swing kept the kids busy for hours.