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    35 Things To Upgrade Your Outdoor Space So That You’ll Never Want To Leave

    When your yard looks this amazing, no one will blame you for spending every waking minute outside.

    1. A set of connectable Edison bulb string lights for creating *the* most charming patio on the block. These darling lights will keep your backyard hangs going strong long after the sun goes down. 

    a reviewer photo of a backyard with strings of lights handing above a set of benches
    a reviewer photo of an outdoor gazebo with string lights along the edges

    Promising review: "I have ordered four boxes of these light sets now. I love love love these lights. They are gorgeous. I plugged them in while in the package to make sure they all worked. Then I unscrewed all the bulbs to make it easy to hang. I hung them up all around my balcony using a staple gun. When I finished I screwed the light bulbs all in :) I would highly recommend these lights. They are PINTEREST perfect!" —Cora

    Get it from Amazon for $17.89+ (available in several sizes and colors).

    2. And some whimsical swaying garden lights to illuminate your greenery and set the scene for a summer night that's (seemingly) filled with dancing fireflies.

    reviewers' lights in a garden
    another reviewer's lights in the garden

    One set of these lights comes with eight stems that have bulbs on the end. They are completely solar-powered, so there is no charging or cords involved!

    Promising review: "I love these little balls of moving light in our garden! Make sure you 'loosen' them up out of the box. They are very upright at first, but the wires flex, and you can arrange them to appear to float in the night. I plan on buying more to give the illusion to my whole backyard. They are not too bright, but absolutely are brighter than many of my other solar lights. So far mine have stayed lit until morning!! The wind makes them bounce and sway, just enchanting!! Buy some! They will make you happy!!" —Ruth Anderson

    Get a two-pack from Amazon for $17.98+ (also available in packs of four and six).

    3. A zero-gravity canopy swing so you can get your outside cozy vibes going while having ample shade from the overly bright sun.

    a reviewer sitting in a blue swing using a laptop
    the blue swing in a different reviewer's yard

    Promising review: "We love this lounge chair!!! The price was fabulous!! (And just a note... If you take care of your things — i.e. cover up the swing with a tarp and bring the cushions in when not using it — It will stay like new. Sun and rain can age anything! Easy-peasy!!) This lounge swing is so comfortable and made very well!! And it only took my hubby and me 25 to 30 minutes to put together. Take my word for it... you are not going to find a nicer lounge swing at this price!!" —Marash

    Get it from Amazon for $179.99+ (available in nine colors).

    4. Or a pair of zero-gravity outdoor lounge chairs if you love seating that adapts to your mood. Want to sit upright while reading a book? No problem. Want to kick back and take an afternoon snooze? You got it.

    These folding lounge chairs also come with utility trays you can easily snap on and off to hold drinks, a book, etc.

    Promising review: "Absolutely love these chairs!! Bought them for our new pool and only went with one set until we decided if we liked them or not. Very comfy and love that we pulled them out of the box and enjoyed them right away. Very easy to recline and lock into position. The drink tray is easy to snap on and convenient for holding drinks, phones, books, etc. Like that, they fold up very easily so that we can take them with us to a picnic or a game. Love them so much, I ordered two more!! Looking forward to comfy summer by the pool!!" —Amazon Customer

    Get a pair from Amazon for $45.99+ (available in four colors).

    5. OR!!! A cute little garden bench because you'll need a place to plop down and lovingly admire your beautiful yard!

    Promising review: "A very nice metal bench. Adds a lovely touch to our garden. Quite easy to assemble singlehandedly. Strong and sturdy. A worthwhile purchase." —RL Baker 

    Get it from Amazon for $129.99 (available in three colors and three styles).

    6. An inflatable pool — let's be honest, as soon as it starts warming up outside, you'll want to take a dip. It won't take up as much space *or* require as much maintenance as a permanent pool. Reviewers also say it's quick and easy to inflate!

    gif of reviewer snapping to reveal a blown up pool in their backyard with a sun graphic that reads 107 degrees F
    reviewer on a flamingo floatie in an inflatable pool

    It also has a bench and cup holders!

    Promising review: "I have had this pool for about two weeks now, and I LOVE IT!!! It was simple to set up; I got a little electric pump, and it took about 10 minutes to inflate, and 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.

    Get it from Amazon for $46.99.

    7. A top-rated portable projector to facilitate the most epic outdoor movie nights ever while you enjoy the delightful evening breeze.

    reviewer photo of the projector showing jurassic park against the side of a house
    reviewer holding the white projector to show scale

    Promising review: "Very impressed! Didn't want to spend $400+ on a projector system, but didn't want to totally compromise the viewing quality either. Even watching movies when it’s still slightly bright out is doable with this system and we love it. Simple remote and functions make it easy to set up. Sound works fine as is, but love that we can also plug in external speakers for an even better experience." —Jade

    Get it from Amazon for $57.98+ (available in four styles).

    8. And a projection screen with a HUGE viewing area so everyone watching will feel like they're at the theater. Good luck getting them to leave at the end of the night!

    The screen is 120 inches and made of an anti-crease material. It also comes with brackets and ropes for mounting purposes.

    Promising review: "This screen is perfect for our use. We bought it for outdoor movie nights, whether being on the garage door, in the backyard, camping, or inside the garage. It’s very easy to install with no wrinkles and shows a great picture. I’ve attached pictures that show how well I can still see the picture despite being surrounded by 7,000 Christmas lights in close vicinity." —Hallie H.

    Get it from Amazon for $22.99.

    9. A hanging hammock chair if you want nothing but chill vibes in your backyard. As soon as you walk outside, you'll want to curl up in this cocoon-like structure and ~hang~ out with a good book or playlist.

    reviewer photo of the off-white hammock chair hanging from a tree
    another reviewer photo of the hammock chair in dark gray hanging from a pergola

    This swinging hammock chair comes with two cushions and installation hardware.

    Promising review: "Back to basics — simple, chic, and comfortable. Perfect addition for the backyard, porch, anywhere you'd like to lounge. There were no installation directions, but they do provide a number of options to work with based on your needs." —afytasuki

    Get it from Amazon for $47.99 (available in three colors).

    10. Or, a double cotton hammock when hanging one isn't an option — this comes with a sturdy steel stand that does the heavy lifting for you.

    Plus, the stand is easy to assemble, disassemble, and pack up in the included carrying case for storage or travel.

    Promising review: "Features to love: The cotton fabric is sturdy and breathable. I never feel stuck to it the way I do in a nylon hammock. The setup/take down is super easy and the frame is very sturdy — we have definitely put 300+ pounds in it. The ability to raise and lower the hammock with the multiple hook positions might be the best feature. I have bad knees and like to get into the hammock from a higher position... no problem. My kids like it lower so they can reach the ground to swing it... no problem. It works great as a traditional hammock to lay in. It works as a 'swing' to sit on. It has enough fabric that you can cover up if you're cold or want to block out light or bugs. We have accidentally left it out in the rain several times and it dries great, hasn't faded from the sun, hasn't had any mold, and hasn't developed any weird smell.

    Things not to love: Nothing! This is a great hammock. It may not be as portable as those little nylon hammocks but if this is for your yard and not for camping, this is hard to beat." —Mary

    Get it from Amazon for $99.49+ (available in 17 colors).

    11. Some interlocking teak tiles that'll *truly* transform your balcony or patio with a total makeover. The backyard oasis of your dreams is calling (and you'll never want to leave)!

    reviewer's patio with Teak interlocking tiles on them
    another reviewer's outdoor space compete with the teak tiles

    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 leftovers to make steps on the back. Very pleased and happy. May order more for an outdoor shower project!" —Adelia

    Get 10 sq. feet of tiles from Amazon for $80.47.

    12. A set of solar-powered pathway lights so you never have to stumble around in the dark after a looong day spent enjoying your beloved outdoor sanctuary.

    reviewer's path lit with solar-powered garden lights
    another reviewer showing the lights lining an outdoor pathway

    Promising review: "After doing tons of research on solar pathway lights, I landed on these and fingers crossed, ordered. I am so pleased with them! We had only a patio light in the backyard. These solar lights add not only some light, but lots of charm. I wanted bright white lights that didn't display a light pattern – nice looking, low maintenance. They are bright white, last a long time (did initial two-day charge), nice looking, easy to install, and durable."—Ank L.

    Get a set of eight from Amazon for $64.99 (also available as a set of four).

    13. folding balcony table for a compact dining solution you can use only when you need it! When it's not being used, fold it out of the way and enjoy your outdoor space as you see fit.

    folding wooden table attached to balcony bars
    Patio Wise Store / Etsy

    Patio Wise Store is a Minnesota-based Etsy shop that specializes in indoor and outdoor furniture for the home.

    Promising review: "Beautiful, sturdy table. Arrived sooner than expected! Easy to hang on the rail. Fits perfectly on my balcony. Thanks so much for a wonderful product." —Christine Kearney

    Get it from Patio Wise Store on Etsy for $109.99 (OR get the three-piece set with two chairs for $206.99+).

    14. lighted umbrella to protect you from the sun during the day *and* brighten up your space at night! The best of both worlds? We love to see it.

    reviewer photo of round glass table and a striped umbrella on it
    another reviewer photo of umbrella at night with lights underneath it

    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

    Get it from Amazon for $63.74+ (available in 11 color combos).

    15. A genius side table so you have a place to put your drinks and snacks. Most importantly, it doubles as a cooler down below for storing all your delicious beverages! You won't have to go back inside for hours.

    Promising review: "What a cool use of space, and it's a great match for our outdoor set. I store sunscreen and other items when not entertaining. There’s a reason thousands of people purchase this. It’s a functional cool piece." —Mamma 4

    Get it from Amazon for $74.99+ (available in two colors).

    16. gas fire pit table because is any backyard setup really complete without one? It even comes with a glass lid, so you can use it as a table when the fire isn't going.

    Promising review: "My favorite purchase for our deck. I LOVE this fire table. Good size, and great value compared to what is out there. Packaged nicely. My husband put it together alone in 30–45 minutes with no frustration and easy-to-follow directions. Puts out a decent amount of heat. Enough rocks to adequately cover. Just add your propane tank. I love that it has a lid as well. You will find sturdier fire tables, but not at this price. Excellent value." —MGF

    Get it from Amazon for $156.99+ (available in five sizes/styles).

    17. Or a tabletop fireplace that'll add some glowing warmth to your space when you don't have room for a giant fire pit. This will help set the mood for cozy nights outside with fam and friends — you may even lose track of time.

    The small tabletop fireplace with rocks and a small flame
    1 Man 1 Garage / Etsy

    You can order this with or without the sand and rocks. The only thing that you will need to purchase separately is the 2.6-oz. gel fuel cans, which you can get on Amazon!

    1 Man 1 Garage is a small business based in Nashville, Tennessee.

    Promising review: "Perfect little gift for my husband. He spends a lot of time outside so I thought this would be cute as a tabletop fireplace." —Swafford Julie

    Get it from 1 Man 1 Garage on Etsy for $20+ (available in three styles).

    18. A set of extendable marshmallow roasting forks for safely enjoying the most delicious dessert of all time. You'll never dream of starting a fire without the s'mores supplies again.

    Promising review: "These are great quality and awesome for camping, backpacking, or just family and outdoor fun. They are sturdy and strong and I haven't had any issues with the telescoping shafts bending out of shape or warping when they get hot in the fire. Easy to clean and with the different colors on each fork, my kids don't have to fight over who's whose. Will buy again to give as gifts and use for camping trips. My kids also loved to collapse these down and use them as a fork to eat with when the sticks are cooled off a little." —Presto

    Get a pack of five from Amazon for $9.99+ (also available in four other pack sizes).

    19. pop-up gazebo, which has mosquito netting on all sides so the evil bloodsuckers can't get you. It's easy to put together and folds up into a compact carrying bag so you can bring it to the beach, park, etc.

    reviewer photo of the white pop up gazebo on a deck
    reviewer photo of the brown pop up gazebo next to a pool

    Promising reviews: "Really looks nice and classy. Easy to assemble and disassemble and store in the bag provided. Can secure to deck with screws, or to grass with the stakes provided. Mosquito net provides an additional level of bug and leaf security." —Tom G

    "As advertised it was easy to assemble. It is much sturdier than my other gazebo that I paid more money for! Nice, sturdy construction and I love that I can take it down easily when necessary. Great product." —Amazon Customer

    Get it from Amazon for $189.95+ (available in two sizes and seven colors). 

    20. A three-piece furniture set when it's time to part ways with those worn-out chairs you've been using for years. Your deck will be *so* much more appealing with a comfy place for you to sit and sip your fave wine.

    This set includes two wicker chairs (cushions included) and a matching glass-top table.

    Promising review: "Great set for the price! I needed a smaller chair and table set for my front porch as it is not very wide and this was perfect. Sturdy build and comfortable. Not hard to put together: all pieces were included and the instructions were easy. Can’t wait to sit outside with a cup of coffee and watch the cars drive by." —Debbie Jackson

    Get it from Amazon for $89.99+ (available in five colors).

    21. Or a mighty cool three-piece bistro set if you need a place to sit outside but don't have a ton of room to spare. Plus, the gorgeous modern design will have all your guests asking where you got it.

    This set includes two chairs and a table with a tempered glass top.

    Promising review: "Exactly what I was looking for. Construction seems sturdy. Dimensions and style were perfect for the small patio space I was looking to get use out of, and the egg shape of the chairs is very comfortable. I paired them with a seagrass outdoor rug, faux fur chair pads, a beanbag-style pouf footstool, and some boho throw pillows, and love how the space was instantly transformed. I highly recommend this set." —Baby blues

    Get it from Amazon for $159.99 (available in five colors).

    22. An outdoor sconce to light up your backyard so it's more inviting when guests come over for a cookout. You'll probably have a hard time getting people to leave, but can you really blame 'em?

    reviewer image of a black sconce mounted on the outer wall of a house
    reviewer image of three lights hung on fence poles

    Promising review: "All we can say is WOW! These lights surpassed our expectations! You could buy other similar lights for a lower price, but these are high quality and worth what we paid. The material is heavy duty, great casing to handle weathering, and a breeze to install. We had three lights done within an hour with no issues. The look is modern and clean. Would highly recommend!" —RuthB

    Get it from Amazon for $59.99+ (available in six styles and as a set of two).

    23. A stunning beveled glass wind chime when you want your outdoor area to be a peaceful oasis where you can truly relax and un~wind~ for a bit.

    glass wind chime hanging from a tree
    Almanor Art Glass / Etsy

    Almanor Art Glass is a small biz based in Chester, California crafting beautiful glass pieces.

    Promising review: "I love it. This is an amazingly beautiful wind chime. I owned a wind chime similar to this, and when it broke, I hunted for one to replace it but it had been difficult because this is very unique. This one is even prettier with more detail." —Mary Jones

    Get it from Almanor Art Glass on Etsy for $58.95 (available in two sizes).

    24. raised dog bed for your furry friend who follows you outside whenever you're soaking up the sunshine. It's washable, has non-slip rubber feet, and will keep your pup cool instead of them overheating on the hot pavement.

    Promising review: "My dog loves this! He is 11 years old, and I hate for his older bones to lay on the bricks or concrete. He loves this bed, and we can easily move it from the back to front yard." —Kristin

    Get it from Amazon for $49.99+ (available in six sizes and six colors).

    25. Or a cat tent because kitties can get cabin fever too, ya know? This is a fun (and safe!) way to get some outside time with your feline friend.

    Promising review: "I read a LOT of reviews before I buy something. I want to be sure to put my money to good use. This was well worth every penny. Not only was it easy to set up but my cats LOVE it. I have two cats (one is twelve pounds and one is eight pounds). They both comfortably fit in here with a ton of room to walk around and play. I throw this thing up on my balcony for what we lovingly call 'tent time' and they come running to the door. They sit in here and watch the birds and never want to come out. It is very easy to get them in and out and so far, is completely durable. BUY THIS!" —Amber

    Get it from Amazon for $59.95 (also available in three other styles).

    26. A heavy-duty electric pressure washer with five nozzles so you can tackle any outdoor mess. It's perfect for cleaning walkways, dealing with filthy patio furniture, and rejuvenating wooden decks.

    reviewer's two plastic lounge chairs in a garden, one clean and the other covered in green algae before using pressure washer
    another reviewer's pressure washer on a wooden deck with clean and dirty areas, showing before and after results

    The five quick-connect nozzles range from intense jet to gentle spray, so you can tackle all kinds of messes such as mildew, tar, rust, grease, mud, etc. The pressure washer also comes with two detergent tanks, a garden hose adapter, a 20-foot high-pressure hose, and a 35-foot power cord. The Total Stop System trigger will automatically shut off the pump when the trigger is not engaged, which can help save energy and prolong pump life.

    Promising review: "I am immensely pleased with my purchase. It has been superb so far. Installation was a breeze. Feels and looks like a quality product. Did a good job on my car. Water pressure was superb. Has multiple end nozzles for various jobs. I used the recommended end nozzle for washing my car, and it worked perfectly. I am certain this item would last an eternity, but only time will tell. Certainly a bang for the money spent on this pressure washer. I have absolutely zero regrets. Connectors did not leak as stated in reviews from other purchasers. Yes, it is easy to cross-thread the connectors if you don't ensure it is seated properly before screwing them on. I would highly recommend this product." —Eric

    Get it from Amazon for $129.

    27. A Weber grill to bring all your backyard BBQ dreams to life! It has precision heat control and a one-touch clean system for easy-peasy grilling. This 22-inch grill won't take up a lot of room, so it's perfect for small spaces.

    reviewer photo of the black grill on a raised patio
    another reviewer cooking chicken on the grill

    Promising review: "Affordable and reliable. Perfect for our backyard. We prefer charcoal to gas, and we've cooked about everything under the sun on this bad boy. Easy to assemble. Easy to clean. Exactly what we wanted." —Marci Manley

    Get it from Amazon for $139.

    28. And a pair of magnetic grill lights because who said you can't indulge in burgers and hot dogs after dark? This will ~light up~ the grill so you can see what you're doing.

    a grill with a pair of the lights attached to the top shining down on food cooking at night
    Amazon

    Promising review: "I used these for the first time the other night and they were exactly what I wanted. I often tend to grill after dark and I can’t see what’s on the grill, but not anymore. These light up the entire grill surface area perfectly. Would definitely buy again." —Flossie DeGrave

    Get a pair from Amazon for $19.99

    29. A set of colorful flower pots, which are probably an accurate depiction of how happy you are about the warm weather. Hang 'em on a fence or over your balcony railing!

    reviewer photo of the colorful planters hanging on a white picket fence
    another reviewer's hanging pots on a fence

    Promising review: "I love these. They look great on my little patio. They are very well made and super easy to put together. They drain well and hold a fair amount of flowers and soil for the size. I found them to be sturdy and they seem pretty durable. It’s a really good value for the price, too. I highly recommend!" —Anonymous

    Get a set of 10 from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in three colors).

    30. A folding outdoor wine table if space is limited but you still need a spot for essentials. It has a built-in bottle opener and a fiberglass rod that stakes into dirt, grass, and sand.

    the folding wine table in the grass holding a bottle and two glasses
    Faircraft USA / Etsy

    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: "Bought these tables as a housewarming present for our daughter. The personalization is fantastic. She's going to love using them in a planter on her patio!" —Christine Ross

    Get it from Faircraft USA on Etsy for $62+ (also available with engraving options and as a beer table). 

    31. A flexible adjustable mister when it gets a little too toasty outside and you need to cool off immediately. It can be bent in the direction you want to ensure everybody gets properly misted.

    reviewer photo of a green mister outside by someone sunbathing
    reviewer photo of a blue mister attachment wrapped around a pole

    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 $27.54.

    32. And for good measure, a powerful weatherproof fan that'll create a much-needed breeze when Mother Nature isn't providing one. It comes with a mounting kit, and the speed is adjustable!

    reviewer's fan attached to a tree in a backyard
    another reviewer's fan hanging in the corner of a covered patio

    Promising review: "One awesome fan for our outdoor patio. We were shocked at how much air this pushes. Mounted easily. Love that it can be outside in the weather. Helps majorly in keeping cool outside in NC heat!" —Kat

    Get it from Amazon for $89.99+ (available in three sizes).

    33. lawn repair formula to bring your dead grass back to life just in time for backyard gathering season! This helps regrow the grass and reverse scorch marks caused by pet urine, digging, and general wear in high-traffic areas.

    Promising review: "I have used EZ Seed for years because I have dogs and they can be a little hard on grass! EZ Seed never fails us! Starts growing in about one and a half weeks. Nothing compares. It's pricey but worth it." —Nanci

    Get it from Amazon for $16.44+ (available in five sizes and multipacks).

    34. A durable outdoor blanket so you can cuddle up under the stars and actually be comfortable. Ever wanted to camp out in your own backyard? This is way better than a flimsy sleeping bag.

    a model spreading out a quilted blanket with a rainbow print
    Amazon

    Rumpl is a small biz creating blankets inspired by warm and snuggly sleeping bags. They use only 100% post-consumer recycled materials and are now recycling over 5 million discarded plastic bottles through their supply chain every year. They also offset all their carbon emissions with carbon credits!

    Promising review: "Took this quilt camping and it was perfect! Kept me warm and cozy all night when temps dropped down to the upper 50s. This is my new favorite summertime quilt and won't leave home without it!" —K. Kovaleff

    Get it from Amazon for $125 (available in 32 styles).

    35. An outdoor rug — it'll tie your space together and make it even more inviting. You can kick off your shoes and be barefoot outside without a care in the world! 

    Promising review: "A beautiful rug that polishes our cozy outdoor space. Great quality and very easy to clean. This is important, especially with two big dogs." —Meghan

    Get it from Amazon for $44.94+ (available in seven sizes and nine colors).

    Reviews in this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.