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    If Your Yard Has Seen Better Days, You Need These 29 Things

    Because soon you'll want to be spending all your time out there.

    1. An electric pressure washer because sometimes the only refresh your outdoor space needs is a powerful deep clean to wash all that built-up grime. Oh, did you paint the fence? No!!! You just cleaned it for the first time in forever.

    Two plastic outdoor lounge chairs, one clean and the other dirty
    the power washer

    This pressure washer has a powerful 1,800-watt motor, two on-board detergent tanks, and five quick-connect spray tips. 

    Promising review: "Pressure washer is very easy to use. It's not heavy, and since it has wheels, it is very easy to move around. Compared to other pressure washers I have used, this one is my favorite, and it's powerful." —Martinez

    Get it from Amazon for $129

    2. Or a ready-to-spray bleach-free outdoor cleaner so you can skip the pressure washer and still tackle tough stains with a fast-foaming formula that's safe to use around plants and grasses. Dirty sidewalks, mildewy planters, and dingy patio furniture have met their match. 

    Reviewer's walkway covered in grass before using the outdoor cleaner
    Reviewer's clean, grass-free walkway after using the outdoor cleaner

    Promising review: "I first used this product about two years ago on the awning of my RV. That awning was so bad that I thought I would have to replace it. After using Scott's product as directed, the mold and mildew completely disappeared. This product definitely works, and it works GREAT! What more can I say — it saved me nearly $500." —R. Latreille

    Get it from Amazon for $10.98

    3. A three-piece wicker chair and table set for creating an outdoor lounge space so stylish your indoor furniture might start to get jealous.

    This set includes two armchairs with seat cushions and a side table with a tempered glass top.

    Promising review: "I absolutely love this set. 😍 I cannot believe the price. It shipped fast, and it was fairly quick and easy to assemble. It's a hit; I get so many compliments." —Mrs.Mathews

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

    4. A waterproof outdoor curtain if your open-air space is a little too *exposed* for your liking. Put a little something-something between you, your neighbors, and the elements with top-notch light-blocking and insulation that repels heat and cold for an optimally comfy outdoor hang. 

    a reviewer photo of the curtain installed on a back patio, blocking the sun
    a reviewer photo of two of the curtains tied back on a balcony

    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 $20.95+ (available in 10 sizes and 16 colors). 

    5. Or a panel of faux ivy vines that brings similar levels of privacy and shade to your outdoor space with a more au naturale look and feel.  

    a reviewer photo of the vines on a slatted fence
    a reviewer photo of the ivy installed on a gazebo roof

    Snag some green zip ties, and you're ready for easy, tool-free installation! 

    Promising review: "I ordered two of these faux-ivy panels to cover up the large wooden fence surrounding my patio. I needed some greenery to balance all the industrial materials and urban landscape. I am very pleased with the outcome!! The panels have been up for a few weeks and have withstood several rain showers and some harsh winds with no problems. Great purchase!" —Myia E.

    Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in three sizes). 

    6. A pack of motion-activated lights with built-in solar panels to tackle those dark trouble spots around your home's exterior. If you're tired of tripping up the front stairs or standing in a pitch-black yard while taking out the dog, these solar-powered lights are your solution. 

    the four lights brightly shining in a backyard at night
    the four square lights

    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 did the job well. The motion sensitivity covers all the sides and lights turn on. It has rained about three times, but they still work great. I'm hoping they last for a long time." —J. Argueta

    Get a set of four from Amazon for $32.99

    7. A fast-acting lawn repair formula because your dog's peeing, playing, and digging have wreaked havoc on your yard. This easy-to-use combination of grass seeds, mulch, and soil amendment is specifically designed to repair pet-induced damage and get new grass growing ASAP. 

    Promising review: "I used this in the spring to fill out our lawn more, and it worked great! I was worried because I feel like you always hear grass seed horror stories, but I just raked our lawn good, spread seeds all over, and watered it once (sometimes twice) per day and it filled the lawn in beautifully!" —Mariah

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

    8. And a fully assembled Scotts seed spreader for getting a quick, even spread of grass seed and fertilizer with practically no effort at all. 

    Promising review: "This model is definitely a cut above the other spreaders made by Scott. It is quite well constructed and has lots of nice features, like a large hopper, four drop holes, and dual spreader mechanisms. The wheels on this are very nice as well, and the edge guard feature works well. Very easy and effective to use and should provide years of use if maintained properly. Beats the pants off of every other spreader I have used. And it's attractive to boot!" —Gila Monster

    Get it from Amazon for $44.98+ (available in four styles). 

    9. Connectable Edison bulb string lights so you can make your backyard look like a trendy beer garden and leave passersby wondering how they can get a reservation.

    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 $16.95+ (available in seven sizes and five styles). 

    10. A 4-in-1 soil moisture meter to help you figure out why your grass is browning or your flowerbed is wilting. This simple-to-use gadget can measure soil's moisture, as well as nutrient, pH, and light levels in just a few minutes. 

    Promising review: "This is my first year gardening with crops and flowers. Our home came with two raised garden beds out in the field. However, the beds were closed down and covered with a tarp, bricks, water buildup, etc. This soil meter helped me discover what was needed and if I could use what was already there. I'm excited to use it again after my first composting experience, too." —Taylor Wingfield

    Get it from Amazon for $15.99

    11. A set of metal hanging flower pots if you have a fence, deck railing, or trellis in need of some zhuzhing. 

    Promising review: "Lovely colorful flower pots. Perfect size to hold a single flower, and they add such a nice pop of color to my yard. Very easy to hang up, no hardware required! I'm getting a lot of compliments on them. I bought several sets and planted bright flowers in them. I have them lining the inside of my yard and on the front of the house. They add a lot of cheer and homeyness for a simple and cheap project." —Maegan

    Get a 10-pack from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in multicolor, black, and white). 

    12. A practical 2-in-1 fireplace that's easy to assemble and can serve as a s'mores-cooking campfire or beverage cooler depending on whatever your backyard shindig has in store.

    The fire pit comes with a mesh screen lid, poke, rain cover, and assembly instructions. 

    Promising review: "Excellent product for the price! A lot of screws to be placed, but that's it; assembly was easy, and I did it alone in under 45 minutes. Had no problems with the threaded holes for the screws like some seem to have had. Great that it comes with a spark screen, grill, long fork, and a rain cover (used it last night for several hours, and it was perfect). Got the copper-colored one, and it looks really nice; people are shocked by the price when they see it. Very pleased with purchase." —S. Bastura

    Get it from Amazon for $79.99+ (available in two sizes and three finishes). 

    13. A can of versatile anti-skid acrylic paint because it's designed to adhere to most surfaces, so you can give everything from those dingy brick steps to your concrete patio the functional facelift it needs. 

    a reviewer photo of a concrete patio and sidewalk labeled
    a reviewer photo of the same sidewalk with slate gray paint applied labeled

    Promising review: "I tried several paints on my mom's deck stairs and they all peeled within a year. This paint solved the problem. Heat, sun, rain, snow, no problem. And it really adds a nice grip to the surface. Definitely worth the investment for me." —DL 

    Get it from Amazon for $42.50+ (available in four colors). 

    14. A water- and rust-resistant vinyl pergola for a high-impact addition to your backyard that won't require a call to your contractor. 

    a white pergola over a backyard table set
    Wayfair

    Promising review: "I'd been looking for an affordable pergola to add to my boring backyard. I'm so glad that I found this beautiful pergola on Wayfair. Now, we love to spend time in our backyard. Since it's windy where I live, I anchored it with wine barrel planters. I get a lot of compliments from family and friends. So satisfied with this. Added string lights as well." —Ana May

    Get it from Wayfair for $599.99

    15. A set of interlocking teak wood tiles if your yard feels more like an industrial wasteland that an outdoor oasis. These tiles easily cover up most any hard surface and require ZERO tools to install, making them a perfect option for your neglected rental patio. 

    reviewer pic of patio with the teak tiles covering it
    close up of 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 left over to make steps on the back. Very pleased and happy. May order more for an outdoor shower project!" —Adelia

    Get 10 sq. ft from Amazon for $80.47.

    16. A long-handled standing weeder that'll make clearing away those rogue dandelions easier than ever — you don't even need to bend over! 

    one side of a dirt patch with a lot of weeds compared to the other side, which has none after using the weeder
    A Fiskars weeder tool being used to remove weeds from soil

    Promising review: "Helped me extract tons of stubborn Texas weeds in my huge yard. Within an hour, I had two piles which would have taken me hours long to pull. So easy for this 50+ lady!" —Erica Noriega

    Get it from Amazon for $42.79.

    17. A pack of solar-powered stake lights disguised as blooming lilies because they'll add instant fairy garden vibes to any regular flowerbed with a sleek wire-free design and color-changing illumination.  

    Solar-powered garden lights designed to resemble blooming flowers
    Amazon

    Promising review: "These flowers arrived yesterday and I was impressed by how pretty they looked and also their good quality...but when night came, they were absolutely beautiful!! The lights brighten the flowers and the changing colors rotate in each individual flower, making a very colorful scene. I'm thinking about buying more!" —Katrina W.

    Get it from Amazon for $17.99

    18. An ash wooden tree swing able to support up to 300 pounds so you can inject your space with some much-needed fun for kiddos and adults, alike. All you need is the right tree and some simple hanging hardware

    Wooden tree swing hanging from a sturdy branch with a background of grass and trees
    The Original Tree Swing / Etsy

    The Original Tree Swing is a Minneapolis, Minnesota-based shop creating wooden swings from local lumber that has been cut down for construction, weather damage and the like, saving it from the landfill and bringing it back to backyards everywhere. 

    Promising review: "Absolutely in love with this sweet swing- superb quality & incredibly quick shipping. So glad we got the eye splice rope — it made installation a breeze. If you’re on the fence about this swing, just get it. You won’t regret it!" —Ashley Nguyen

    Get it from The Original Tree Swing on Etsy for $100+ (available in four sizes). 

    19. A pop-up leaf collector for making quick work of the tedious task of collecting all the grass clippings, leaves, and branches strewn across the yard. When you're done, fold this tarp like a taco to make transferring it all into the trash a breeze.

    a model using the tarp to funnel leaves into a trash can
    Amazon

    Plus, it folds up into the included carrying case for easy storage in the off-season.

    Promising review: "I was able to pick up my leaves in record time using this leaf collector. I wish I had known about it years ago. It would have saved me so much money hiring people to do my leaves. I have told everyone I know about this product. They were all amazed when they saw the video I did showing how I raked the leaves on the leaf collector. Folded up the ends like a taco, put it in the bag, and released. SO EASY! Absolutely worth the money." —Ronnie

    Get it from Amazon for $27.95.

    20. A 20-pack of high-yield vegetable seeds if you've always dreamed of tending to a bountiful garden, and your yard is looking like the perfect blank canvas right about now. Novice gardeners, fear not — sowing and growing instructions are included! 

    A box of vegetable seeds
    a reviewer photo of an outdoor vegetable garden

    Promising review: "I've planted all but three of the types of veggies, and every single one has germinated, and some are already ready to be transplanted! I'm so excited to have a garden full of different veggies! I highly recommend!!" —Brista Mangum

    Get it from Amazon for $11.99

    21. Or a massive pack of wildflower seeds for livening up your monochromatic green lawn with a diverse array of blooms even beginner gardeners can easily grow. 

    Promising review: "It is early July, and I could not be more pleased with this seed mixture. Almost every day since April, I have had new surprises in my garden. I have enjoyed Alyssum, Chinese forget-me-not, zinnias, cosmos, and marigolds. I am beginning to see more forget-me-nots, poppies, pineapple sage, and Armeria. I am a beekeeper and, hence, was trying to plant some flowers the bees would like. I have an unbelievable number of pollinators busy among the flowers all day long. Today, I saw a hummingbird!! I am hoping to have these flowers self-seed and to have even more lovelies next year!" —Bio Teacher

    Get it from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in two sizes and as annuals or perennials). 

    22. A printed outdoor area rug that'll cozy up your outdoor oasis without being a pain to maintain and clean. It's durable and fast-drying so you can just rinse it with a garden hose!

    a reviewer photo of four chairs around a table on a patio overtop a rug with a palm print
    a reviewer photo of a patio couch and chairs set atop a blue outdoor rug with a shell print

    Promising review: "I placed this rug out on my patio underneath the furniture. It goes nicely with the color scheme. We’ve had a number of rainstorms and it dries quickly. So far so good!" —LSOHara

    Get it from Amazon for $34.61+ (available in 6 sizes and in 22 styles).

    23. A sturdy, lockable storage box to hide away miscellaneous clutter like pool toys, yard tools, and patio cushions in secure, weatherproofed protection. Plenty of reviewers also use it on their front porches to protect packages! 

    Outdoor storage bench on a patio
    a square outdoor storage box on a deck

    Promising review: "Was really easy to assemble, looks as exactly as advertised. Looks more expensive than it is. I bought this to put by the front door and instruct Amazon and deliveries to be put inside it so they don’t sit at my door all day. Works great." —Nancy Novotny

    Get it from Amazon for $35.99+ (available in two sizes and five colors). 

    24. A three-tier rock waterfall fountain with LED lights because nothing screams *serenity* quite like the gentle trickle of running water. Normally, adding a water feature would be a whole big tadoo, but this compact option features an interior pump, so all you have to do is plug it in and enjoy! 

    Promising review: "This was the best investment to add tranquility to my patio/backyard. It has a soothing waterfall and lights and is very easy to install. When the neighbors are over, they remark on how beautiful it is and how it adds to the landscape. I did have a quick question for Alpine pertaining to the water flow through the pump, and their customer service was outstanding. Very happy all the way around." —Dean 

    Get it from Amazon for $108.29+ (available in brown and gray and in two sizes). 

    25. A slatted cedar privacy screen with built-in planters so you can create a cozy sitting corner, gain some privacy, or just block your ambience-ruining trash cans from view. 

    plants arranged around the wooden three-panel privacy screen
    vines and lights hanging from the privacy screen with lanterns in from of it

    Promising review: "We are really happy with these! We bought two to section off a private cozy spot on our large patio and are loving spending time out there now. Excellent quality out of the box. Time will tell how they age. They’ve held up to a few good storms so far. Love the planters and the flexibility of their placement." —PH

    Get it from Amazon for $290.43.

    26. A weather-resistant tree face bird feeder for taking your yard's vibe from standard suburbia to fairytale forest in an instant while enticing some woodland critters to swing by for a song and a snack. Look at you — an IRL Snow White. 

    a face that looks like it's made of bark on a tree trunk with bird seed in the beard pocket with a bird flying toward it
    Tree Poetry / Etsy

    Tree Poetry is an Orlando, Florida-based Etsy shop creating whimsical garden accessories, each hand-painted and shipped in 100% recyclable packaging. Plus, part of their proceeds go to One Tree Planted to fund planting trees around the world

    Promising review: "Love our old man tree face!! It is well painted and the eyes glow in the dark! Screws were included for installation, and that was easy." —Lainey 

    Get it from Tree Poetry on Etsy for $29.99

    27. A charming garden pathway bridge if there's a small stream, ankle-breaking stone path, or just an awkward divot that's begging to have a stable way across that beautifully doubles as your yard's new functional focal point. 

    a small wooden bridge in a backyard
    Wayfair

    Promising review: "LOVE THIS. There is so much charm in this bridge. Kids love it. I bought it to cover a septic so no one drives over it. Thinking of ordering another because it has so much character. Purchased the stained wood, very authentic." —Dara 

    Get it from Wayfair for $111.99 (originally $129.99; available in natural and stained wood finishes). 

    28. A canopy sun shade that's easy to install and provides a versatile option for sun relief wherever you need it most. 

    a reviewer photo of a back deck with a sand-colored canopy hung overhead
    a reviewer photo of a backyard lounge space with a red canopy hung overhead

    Pick up this Shade Sail hardware kit if you don't already have rope, carabiners, or other mounting hardware. 

    Promising review: "Worked perfectly. Only took about 30 minutes to install. We went with a different brand of hardware kit and it is wonderful. We'll probably be purchasing more in different sizes for other areas around the house. Louisiana heat and humidity is a nightmare during the summer. The sun shade is a great way to combat that inexpensively." —Ishopalot!

    Get it from Amazon for $22.98+ (available in 13 colors and a wide range of sizes). 

    29. A weather-resistant 8-foot wooden pathway to instantly add a high-end feel to your backyard with installation as simple as selecting a location and laying it down. 

    There is also a matching curved walkway, if you need one! 

    Promising review: "I went back and forth deciding whether I wanted to buy this. I was going to build my own walkway, but the labor involved and price was more than I want to pay. So this option looked appealing and some of the reviews were not positive. But, I absolutely love this walkway and I’ve had it for well over a month now. It still looks like I just purchased it. I live in Florida so the weather is very harsh with heavy rains and extreme heat. This walkway has held up fine." —Jntqnn

    Get it from Amazon for $89.99

    The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.