buzzfeed Press
39 Seriously Useful Things For Anyone Who Basically Lives In Their Backyard All Summer
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We hope you love our recommendations! While every product is independently chosen by our editors, BuzzFeed and our publishing partners may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. You can read more about how our affiliate partnerships work in our Editorial Standards & Ethics Guide. Backyard season waits for no sad folding chair. I’m the Home and Garden Editor at BuzzFeed, where I write articles that connect readers with the products, ideas, and trends that help make a house feel like home. The right pieces, like an outdoor sectional for sprawling out and an outdoor speaker for keeping the good vibes going, can make your whole space feel less like a patch of grass with a chair on it and more like a place you actually want to spend every possible minute. Below, some great finds on how to achieve just that. Promising review: "I have had these outside for almost one year. They stayed up all winter and still work great. Light is a nice, warm color and not blinding, but it still provides enough light to see. Lights came with replacement bulbs, but have not had to replace any yet." —crystal hoke Get it from Amazon for $22.99+ (available in eight lengths). Consider stocking up on a two-pack of refills for $19.99. Promising review: "I recently added this plug to my outdoor string lights, and it’s such a simple but great upgrade. It was super easy to install, just plugged right into the lights. We love to host in the summer and frequently grill out and have fires, so having something attached right to the lights to help keep mosquitoes away without having to think about it has been great. Also, love the remote! I like that I can just turn it on when we actually need it and not have it running all the time or feel like it's being wasted when were not out there. Overall, it just makes hanging outside a lot more enjoyable without adding any extra effort." —Piper 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 make sure you set it up on level ground, or it will be lopsided. I live in South Carolina, so it is already hot and humid, and I use it about every afternoon. 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 10 stars, I would. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!!!" —kathryn j. Promising review: "I live near water and have animals = I get bugs. With one of these placed at each of my doors or windows outside = I get no flying bugs inside. Finally. During winter, truly, no flies inside. During summer, an occasional fly/mosquito slips through the circumference. Overall, it saved me one summer when we were getting 10 mosquito bites a day. After I started using this, no mosquito bites! (Dogs do not even notice its existence)." —Christine D. Get it from Amazon for $32.99+ (available in six styles). My house has a lot of lawn: over 3,000 square feet. When we first moved in, I bought a cheap battery-powered mower that could barely handle either the front or the back yard on a single charge. Not ideal. This Ryobi mower is the total opposite. I can mow both the front and back with charge to spare. A "command center" lets you activate turbo mode and lights, and adjust the self-propel speed right from the handle (great for slowing down when you're trying to mow a corner). Turbo mode gives you an extra boost for tough patches, and it comes with a grass catcher bag, though I always keep mine on mulch mode because it's better for the lawn. The handle folds down for easy storage. Bonus: the 40V battery works with over 85 other Ryobi tools, which I love because it means I can expand my collection without collecting a bunch of different batteries. Promising review: "I bought this mower exclusively for my front yard because I love my yard to be neat. Since my yard is on a slope, self-propelled is a must. I was really surprised by the power of the drive and the very even cut. Stores away in my garage and is always ready. Am I happy? Extremely." —Greg D. 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 on hot days and to help deter mosquitoes at night. This fan worked perfectly. It has three speeds, the highest of which is super strong. It is also 100% waterproof, which is a must. I would recommend this fan for sure and would not hesitate to buy it again." —Bigdad Get it from Amazon for $119+ (available in three sizes). Promising review: "I am very happy with this reed fencing. The lovely brown color and tight weave with the string is so much better than ones I've had in the past. These are a wonderful quality for the price. They are not completely private, as people have mentioned, but that's not what I wanted. I wanted to be able to see through a little bit, but they work great to give some sense of separation and privacy." —Lauren S. Get it from Amazon for $30.99+ (available in 10 sizes). Promising review: "This is a great product for any outdoor space. It provides extra privacy whilst adding beauty to my balcony. The leaves were all intact, and it was easy to install with the zip ties that came in the box. The fence has been stable, never falling down nor loosening its grip. During rain, I've never experienced the leaves coming off/apart. If you're looking to spice up your outdoor area with faux greenery, this product is a great quality fence and highly recommend!" —C.C. Promising review: "This thing is great and perfect to start off the spring/summer. We dumped a giant bag of ice in there and kept our drinks cold all afternoon. The swivel top is convenient and fun. Love that it’s a table and an aesthetically pleasing cooler." —Shana Get it from Amazon for $119.99 (available in four colors). Promising review: "This set was just what I needed to add a pop of color to my porch. It seems sturdy and tolerant of extreme weather conditions. My friends and neighbors love the bright yellow." —Judith J. Get it from Amazon for $94.29 (available in five colors). Promising review: "I recently moved and have a small front patio. I am so, so happy with this purchase. The table and chairs are not only a good size, but they are tall! The cushions are very comfortable, and the setup was extremely easy. Highly recommend." —Ashley k Get it from Amazon for $119.99 (available in three cushion colors). The mister will cool the surrounding area by 20 degrees, and it comes with an interchangeable flower-shaped misting head for a fun, whimsical 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 Promising review: "I love spending time outside, and we entertain on our patio, too. But when it's over 100 degrees outside, nobody feels like visiting. Until now!! I bought one and liked it so much I ordered another to cover both patios. They lower the temps to a more moderate level in just moments and don't use 100 gallons of water doing it! They're easy to put up and take down, and come with convenient hanging hooks! I read the reviews people wrote about the heads getting stopped up, and they WILL, but as a plumber, I'll tell you a trick to keeping them working like new: vinegar. Just remove the heads and soak them in a little straight vinegar, then use a small bristle brush like a toothbrush or nail brush, rinse them off, and replace them in the mister tubing, and they should be like brand new." —Sonya Combs Get it from Amazon for $16.96+ (available in several pack sizes). Promising review: "Love this outdoor rug, and it’s reversible. White where the yellow is on this side. I love it ... the yellow is a beautiful, bright color. Just magical." —Barb Get it from Amazon for $42.99+ (available in two colors and two sizes). Promising review: "I cannot understand how something this size can possibly produce such amazing, loud, clear sound and bass. It is a truly incredible device that I intend to use daily because it works well outside, too. Do not be deceived by the affordable price. It is significantly better than a $400 JBL. The battery life is great, too. If I want it loud, half the volume is all you need. If I want to blast my neighbors, 80%. I haven’t needed to push it further. The bass-up function is awesome. You’re gonna love this thing." —Rob and Piper Get it from Amazon for $99.99 (available in three colors). Promising review: "This is incredible, and my son (20 months) absolutely loves it! There's so much to keep us busy, from the ball toss to the misting slide. I even lay on it to sunbathe, and it was comfortable, lol. Really excited to use this for the summer and have people over to enjoy it with us!! If you’re on the fence, let this be your sign to buy! ☀️" —Ashley Edberg 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 is exactly what we were looking for! An umbrella that's not only sturdy but easy to carry (comes with a backpack carrier), easy to set up, and provides excellent protection from the sun. It’s perfect for casual sunbathing in your backyard or a full day at the beach. Highly recommend!" —Sheila Get it from Amazon for $140.21 (available in five colors). Note: The umbrella stand is not included, but this is a good one if you need one. Promising review: "This umbrella was perfect and met my needs. I live in a condo and needed a way to shade the balcony from the intense morning sun. This worked really well. The setup was easy. The crank works well, and the tilt is easy to do." —Danielle Get it from Amazon for $35.74+ (available in 15 colors and patterns). Note: It has three different brightness settings and requires AA batteries. Promising review: "This light is great!!! It has three settings to adjust the amount of brightness you need. The 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 Promising review: "I love this little bonfire pit. I got this for evenings out in my outdoor oasis, and it's perfect for when you don't have endless time to spend but still want to enjoy an evening by the fire. Easy to use and enjoy!" —V. Heldenbrand Get it from Amazon for $99.99+ (available in two sizes and six colors). NOMPI Gloves is a woman-owned small business in New Jersey that makes garden gloves with long, pretty sleeves. The idea came to founder Lynne Eichenbaum after she contracted poison ivy while tending to her vegetable garden. OK, I seriously love these. The nitrile glove attached to the sleeve is thin enough that I can actually feel what I'm doing, but thick enough that it won't get punctured. It's been heating up where I live, and instead of throwing on a long-sleeve shirt to protect my arms, I just slide these on, and they feel so much better! The sleeves are 100% cotton, so they're breathable and lightweight. And the fun pattern? Just an extra little bonus I didn't know I needed. Promising review: "Made well. Great idea. I don’t need expensive leather things. I get a lot of use out of these, picking berries and trimming prickly bushes!" —Amy Get it from NOMPI Gloves on Etsy for $21.99. Promising review: "I was looking for some nice small chairs to put on our front patio. We had camping chairs out there before, and they looked awful from the street. We ordered this little set and it has been perfect. They have great street appeal. They are extremely comfortable. The cushions are firm and supportive. We easily sit out here for an hour or two now each day. Cat and human approved." —Vik Promising review: "I love the size and the fact that it takes five minutes to set up and five minutes to take down. Very portable and lightweight to carry. Very sturdy. I would highly recommend." —Kathi Get it from Amazon for $99.94+ (also available in a 120-inch size). Promising review: "This is my favorite thing to sit in. The colorful woven fabric keeps dry and clean while sitting on my covered front porch that is open to the elements. My seat doesn't sit in direct light, however, the color is still as vibrant as the day I hung it up. The seat is very sturdy, as the cord that is supporting your weight is not anchored at one single point but along the whole edge. It's like your own personal cocoon. I leave this up year-round because it would be difficult to store, unless you have a decent amount of closet space." —Joli L Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in two sizes and seven colors). Bare Decor is a small business that sells teak tiles and accessories for outdoor spaces. 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 Seed Needs is a family-owned small business in Michigan that makes seed packets. Promising review: "I bought this package hoping to attract butterflies. It did not disappoint. I have the opposite of a green thumb, and this was super easy. I couldn't tell you the names of any flowers, but we have at least six different types. I overseeded a smaller area, so I will probably make the area larger or only do half the seeds next year. We can go outside at any time and see our beautiful flowers and SO many butterflies! 10/10" —Tesa Taylor Get it from Amazon for $7.99 (available in four mixes and two sizes). Promising review: "I absolutely love this set. 😍 I cannot believe the price of it. It shipped fast, and was fairly quick and easy to assemble. It’s a hit; I get so many compliments by anyone who rings the doorbell." —Mrs.Mathews Get it from Amazon for $89.99+ (available in five colors). What's included: One pillow, two chains, and two S-shaped hooks. Promising review: "There is nothing more comfortable than being cradled and rocked in a hammock that is comfortable with its padded quilted canvas, built-in pillow, and size built for two. The craftsmanship and anchors give you a secure feeling." —Just.Rob.Stone Get it from Amazon for $69.99+ (available in seven colors). Promising review: "I searched all over for a planter small enough to fit on my porch. I’m so happy I came across this one. There really isn’t anything out there right now that’s 1. This size, and 2. This price. It’s exactly what I was looking for, and I was able to plant six herbs in it. Assembly was easy, but it helps if you have an extra hand to hold the pieces together. It’s made out of metal and feels very sturdy. It has a drain hole, which is a plus. I highly recommend this, especially if you are limited on space." —Christine The game comes with an inflatable splash mat, hose connector, waterproof spinner, and gameplay instructions. Promising review: "Fun for all ages. Such a fun twist on an already loved game! This kept my 4- and 7-year-olds' attention for a while! Each spot you put your hand on sprays water; whoever stays up the longest wins! Even the adults had to try it out. I was a little nervous with the quality of the plastic, but it held up to adults and kids moving all around it without any holes." —Deborah Gaffney Promising review: "I went in skeptical, I'm not going to lie. We had grease spilled on our brand-new paver patio. The grease had been sitting for a few weeks, and I saw an ad for this stuff. I ordered it to try because why not? Well, I'll be damned because this took the spots right off! No evidence we ever spilled anything! I'd buy it again." —Susan 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 than the picnic table set. There was a step in which two people were absolutely required, and you needed a cordless screwdriver and hammer. My granddaughter loves them, and I absolutely would recommend this purchase to anyone." —Terri Get it from Amazon for $139.99+ (available in two colors). HBeeFire is a small business based in Toronto, Canada, that makes metal firepits. Promising review: "It’s exactly as described, beautiful quality, and great communication from the seller. Super happy with this firepit, it works really well and is so unique :)" —Gabrielle ONeill Get it from HBeeFire on Etsy for $188.66 (originally $249.70). Backyard Expressions is a family-owned small business in Huntington Beach, California that sells outdoor furniture and decor. Promising review: "This was easy to use. The wood is rustic and what I would call a carpenter's cut (rough cut). Easy to assemble. Great conversation starter." —Paul H. Get it from Amazon for $77.63+ (available in two styles). Make sure you get a fertilizer spreader to use this! Promising review: "This product works. Our lawn was yellow and brown. We followed the instructions to the letter. Watered the lawn after application. After the third day, our neighbors noticed how green the lawn was. Happy to have purchased this product, and we bought another bag for the spring project." —dilimanqc "I have been using this fertilizer for the past four years; it has not burned the lawn, and it has a quick green-up within a couple of days. Proud of the way it makes my lawn look. I highly recommend." —hellbent Get it from Amazon for $33.24+ (available in two sizes). Pick up a sturdy rust-resistant curtain rod while you're at it! Promising review: "These curtains are AMAZING! Beautiful and elegant. Hangs beautiful, very light blocking, keeps rain out of our Tiki bar, we can sit out there in the rain, and keeps the heat in on a cool fall evening when we have the fireplace on!" —Sara Bushendorf Get it from Amazon for $11.95+ (available in 10 sizes and 16 colors). Promising review: "This patio furniture is great for the price. One of the better-known brands would sell a set like this for about $2,500–$3,000. It took a long time to put together by myself, but it was well worth the effort. My sister is on the market for patio furniture, and I recommended this set to her." —Ant Rico Get it from Amazon for $679.99+ (available in two colors and with or without arms on the side chairs). Promising review: "Bought this for my 2-year-old's birthday. It was a HIT at her party. She uses every section regularly. We set it up outside for the summer and just brought it in for the fall! It can be used by several kids at once. As a buy-nothing queen, I was hesitant about the price but am satisfied." —Jonathan D SWOOC Games is a small biz specializing in game sets, many of which are outdoor-safe. Promising review: "Our family loves Yahtzee, but Yardzee was so much more fun! It is like a giant life-size game. It was so much fun to play outside as a family. We had ages 7–65 playing and enjoying the game. As a homeschooler, I also love that it sneaks in math and writing." —The Waldock Way Get them from Amazon for $59.99+ (available in two dice sizes). * *Actually* Simple Home Projects To Transform Your Backyard * Outdoor Decor Pieces That’ll Make Your Neighbors Green With Envy * Products That’ll Clean Your House On The *Outside* Plus, finds from Article, Ikea, Walmart, and Wayfair. BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way. Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.