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    34 Things To Give Your Backyard A Spring Makeover On A Budget

    Spruce up your yard without breaking the bank — everything is under $100.

    1. Solar lights you can use to create the ambience you've always wanted for your yard — add them to the darkest area of your space and embrace the fact you can now stay outdoors longer without worrying if there's something creeping in your bushes.

    Promising review: "These are great lights, we use them in our front and backyard. They are long lasting and create a resort-like appearance." —Michele 

    Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in packs of four or eight).

    2. Or solar powered, motion sensor-activated lights so you can sing "and at last I see the light," like Rapunzel in Tangled each time you step into your yard.

    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 do the job well. The motion sensitivity covers all the side and lights turn on. It has rained about three times and still work great and hoping they last for a long time." —J. Argueta

    Get a set of four from Amazon for $32.99.

    3. Solar-powered string lights that'll transform your backyard into the hipster haven you've always imagined it could be. They even have a dimmable feature so you can truly *set the mood* at any time.

    Patio at night with a table, chairs, and decorative lights along the railing
    String lights hung above a patio with furniture and closed umbrellas, in daylight, for outdoor ambiance

    Brightech is a small business!

    Promising review: "I have had these lights up for approximately five months. They lit up right out of the box. They have been through a snowstorm, ice storm, and massive rain, and are still perfect. They are pretty easy to hang. They are shatterproof, which I love." —D Kelly

    Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in two styles).

    4. An outdoor storage box that'll finally create a home for your kid's toys, grill supplies, or gardening gear so you won't have to stress about your yard looking like a mess when your patio isn't in use. It even has a lockable lid so you won't have to worry about critters getting in.

    Outdoor storage box open revealing red cushion inside
    Outdoor storage box on a deck with cleaning tools nearby.

    Promising review: "Couldn't be happier with this deck box. It is very lightweight, snaps together super easily, and has kept all moisture out through snow, ice, and rain. Critters have not gotten into it either, which is great considering it's where I'm storing all the birdseed and suet for my feeders." —Lauren C

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

    5. An indoor/outdoor rug to create a softer spot for your pet to lounge if your yard happens to be lacking in the ~luscious grass~ department.

    Outdoor furniture with a sofa, chairs, and a coffee table on a patterned rug
    Patterned area rug with geometric design displayed on the floor
    Amazon

    Hauteloom is a small business!

    Promising review: "At first I thought was wrong color but is wrapped inside out. Is gorgeous and just as pictured. Very nice quality and looks amazing on our porch. We LOVE this rug." —Sara

    Get it from Amazon for $53+ (available in 13 sizes and two styles).

    6. An outdoor drink stakes set you can literally say "Hold my beer" to while you impressively flip burgers or show off your cornhole skills. After your hangout wraps up, you can simply pull 'em out of the grass and put them away for next time, no strings attached.

    Five garden stakes with spiral holders containing different types of drinkware in a grassy yard
    Amazon

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

    Get a set of six from Amazon for $39.95. Or get a set made for stemmed wine glasses here.

    7. lighted umbrella that'll provide you and your pals with shade so you can get back to gossiping about the latest celeb couple breakup (BRB mourning Chance the Rapper's marriage) without fretting about sunburns. The built-in lights will let the good times roll even after the sun goes down.

    patio with round glass table and a striped umbrella on it
    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 Williams

    Get it from Amazon for $68.98 (available in 11 color combos).

    8. Or a clip-on light for anyone who already has an umbrella they adore but want to extend the use of their yard into the night.

    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 $10.79.

    9. A fast-acting lawn repair formula made up of grass seeds, mulch, and soil amendment will help undo all the damage your beloved doggo (who, obviously, can't help but pee all over your grass) has done to the yard. Now, back to trying to teach Fido *not* to dig up the new grass...

    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).

    10. Sticky Stakes to trap unwanted pests trying to feed off your plants and buzz annoyingly around your apartment. Toss your fly swatter in the garbage, you won't be needing it anymore.

    A sticky fly trap covered with trapped flies
    A young plant in a pot with a yellow label, which could indicate instructions or type, ideal for gardeners and plant shoppers

    There is NOTHING more irritating than gnats or any other tiny insects invading your home. I have these Sticky Stakes in every potted plant I own and they actually really work! Each pack comes with seven traps, so feel free to stock up.

    Promising review: "Just placed another order for more. I was given a plant that has brought in lots of gnats. I didn’t realize how many there were till I got this. They are doing a great job of catching/killing these annoying bugs. I even was able to put the sticky side in on the lower clip so that it wouldn’t stick to the leaves of the plant and rip them. Will definitely continue to get these when needed. Hopefully they will get rid of all of them soon." —Nicole Pisa

    Get them from Amazon for $8.98.

    11. A garbage guard that'll keep pesky flies and other insects from congregating around your can — perfect timing now that you're finally able to make use of your outdoor space again.

    Black garbage guard on the inside of a white trash can
    Reviewer shows garbage guard shielding lid from big flies on their trash can

    Promising review: "Got an outdoor can, the kind the mechanical arm on the garbage truck picks up and tips over, with the lid opening by gravity. Placed this on the inside of the lid, near the hinge to lessen the chances of it being scraped off during emptying and no flies/maggots! No apparent odor, just seems to put a big hurt on the fly party that used to be my trash can (litter box contents, remnants of meat, etc.) " —Michael E. Bradley

    Get it from Amazon for $9.84+ (available in a two-pack).

    12. A lovely outdoor bench where you can sit and hum "Feed The Birds" while pretending you're Mary Poppins and enjoying some fresh air.

    Promising review: "This bench was delivered much faster than expected, wrapped nicely in the package with every accessory included. It was so easy to assemble, only took 10 minutes for me and my mom to finish. This bench looks more beautiful than the picture, the color is very bright. It is very sturdy and heavy duty, can easily seat three people. I really love sitting on my new bench and enjoy the warm sunshine! Highly recommend!" —Shiguang Wang

    Get it from Amazon for $99+ (available in six styles).

    13. A standing weeder (without the chemicals!) for anyone with a bad back who still wants an award-worthy lawn.

    Made with a bamboo handle and powder-coated steel, it uses a simple lever system to made weeding easy. Added bonus? 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 $44.99.

    14. A ready-to-spray bleach-free outdoor cleaner to help you tackle stubborn stains without having to break out a pressure washer (phew). It's made with a fast-foaming formula that's safe for plants (double phew). Fare thee well, backyard filth!

    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 on my RV. That awning was so bad that I thought I was going to have to replace it. After using this 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

    15. Color-changing solar lights shaped like lilies that'll transform your garden into a whimsical wonderland Alice herself might just wander into.

    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 a set of eight from Amazon for $17.99 (available in two styles).

    16. A row of colorful flower pots with draining holes and hooks that'll brighten up your deck with very minimal effort.

    a row of colorful buckets with plants in them
    A white pallet garden with assorted potted plants affixed, against a fence for shopping decor inspiration

    Promising review: "These are adorable. I love the colors. They're lightweight and won't hold more than one or two flowers, but they're perfect for the project I did." —JDub

    Get 10 from Amazon for $17.99 (available in three styles).

    17. A variety of sunflower seeds to transform that boring patch of dirt in your yard into a photo shoot–worthy garden without the stress of hand selecting which flowers to plant. Alexa, play "Sunflower" by Harry Styles.

    Sunflowers blooming in an outdoor garden by a roadside
    Close-up of a vibrant sunflower with other sunflowers in the background against a clear sky

    Created by Nature is a small business!

    Promising review: "Planted a handful of the seeds in our front lawn area. Few months later, and we had a spectacular color array. Great flowers!" —Shane

    Get it from Amazon for $14.99.

    18. A platform swing that'll help you make the most out of that suuuper old tree in your yard while also giving your child a place to burn off some energy without leaving the confines of your yard.

    A child standing on the second wrung of the colorful rope
    Amazon

    This toy acts as both a swing and a climber thanks to the 4-inch staggered platforms. It's suggested for ages 3+ and has a 150 pound weight limit. Jungle Gym Kingdom is a small business!

    Promising review: "Love this swing! It is so easy to set up and my kids love it. This swing is so easy to take on and off we even bring it with us for picnics and set it up in trees at the park. It definitely helps if you have kids that are tree-climbing age. Love love love! Would definitely recommend!" —Shoe

    Get it from Amazon for $18.49 (available in four colors).

    19. A scent-free mosquito repellent to keep those lil' bloodsucking buggers at bay while you're trying to plant your daisies or pick your cherry tomatoes.

    the mosquito repeller on a table top
    a hand twisting the bottom of the repellent to start it
    Amazon

    This device uses scent-free repellent mats using naturally occurring repellents found in plants to rid of mosquitoes.

    Promising review: "It doesn't smell. It doesn't make noise. It doesn't get hot. It just clears the mosquitos and only mosquitoes! I am the person a mosquito will find from miles away even in my house. The only one they find in a room full of people. I live in a tropical climate and never have a moment's peace in my garden. I've used sprays, foggers, candles, torches, the list goes on. This is the first time I've been able to sit on my patio in peace, even the cat was safe. Already ordered another for a friend and put the refills on subscribe and save." —J&J

    Get it from Amazon for $20.97 (available in seven colors).

    20. A programmable timer to work some Fairy Godmother-like magic on your hose and transform it into a sprinkler. Bibbidi, Bobbidi, Boo-tiful lawn!

    the timer attached to a hose nozzle
    three hoses attached to the timer surrounded by flowers
    Amazon

    Reviewers mention it's worth using this product with a water hammer arrester.

    Promising review: "Needed a way to water without having to stand there and hold a hose. This little gadget did the job. Easy to program and uses two AA batteries! Has been working for about two years now. No issues. I do remove in winter, but other than that the brown spots in my yard have filled in nicely!" —Chazgator

    Get it from Amazon for $29.05+ (available in one or two outlets).

    21. cordless grass trimmer that'll help you tackle hard-to-reach areas in your garden bed or simply get the job done if you are the proud owner of a tiny patch of grass.

    the handheld grass trimmer tool
    Amazon

    Promising review: "WOW!!! This is the fourth grass clipper I've had — all different brands. This is BY FAR the best! The blades cut well, it's easy to turn on and off (you don't need to be a contortionist or use two hands), fits nicely in my hand, and the battery lasts far longer than any other cutter I've had. I can't tell you how pleased I am! Highly recommend this. Haven't tried the trimmer yet, but can't imagine it not being just as great! SO glad I bought this." —suezieqt

    Get it from Amazon for $38.55.

    22. Interlocking Teak tiles you can use to spruce up your patio area without using a single tool. These are a must-have if you're only renting since they'll come up just as easily as you put them down — you can take 'em with you!

    reviewer pic of patio with the teak tiles covering it
    close up of the teak tiles

    Bare Decor is a small business!

    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 $80.47.

    23. Or a weather-resistant cedar pathway you can roll out alongside your prettiest garden bed or just anywhere you tend to walk so often the grass tends to get a bit torn up. Installation of a new walkway has *never* been this easy.

    slotted wood walkway beside a bed of hydrangeas
    Amazon

    Promising review: "We are using outdoors at an animal sanctuary. The cats love to sleep on them and they do keep the wetter pathways dry under your feet. They are lasting quite well and although not cheap by any means, they are standing up to cats and people walking on them all day long. They are surviving both rain and sun and wind. We will be purchasing more." —susan osako

    Get an 8-foot path from Amazon for $89.99.

    24. Concrete paint, perfect for giving your old patio the refresh it's been desperately needing without having to break into your vacation fund.

    the can of paint
    Amazon

    Promising review: "Excellent, easy to use and clean up. My outdoor patio is a little rough and it took a full gallon to cover 200 sq feet." —RLB

    Get it from Amazon for $43.48+ a gallon (available in two shades of gray).

    25. Metallic spray paint you can use to give your old plant stands a second, extremely glamorous, life.

    Promising review: "This stuff is incredible. I bought two bottles, and sprayed two plant vases, three large sconces, and a back plate for my security doorbell. I still have almost an entire bottle left. It’s so easy to spray, and I didn’t have the same trigger issue as others. It was so easy and quick. It’s a rich, VERY deep brown, much more elegant than straight black. Please make sure you wear a mask; you don’t want to breath this stuff in." —C. Sculpher

    Get it from Amazon for $8.68+ (available in a variety of metallic colors).

    26. roll of fake grass, in case you already know you won't want to be bothered with trying to keep your yard looking like something you've seen on HGTV.

    Promising review: "We love it! We tried growing grass in our tiny backyard, but our dog was destroying it with his acid pee faster than we could repair it, and the grass only grew in patches. So we decided to line the yard and patio with river rock and put this artificial grass in the middle, and we couldn't be happier! It looks so colorful and clean, and no more brown spots! Very easy to clean off, drains well, and so far has stayed in place." —ProudMommy1

    Get it from Amazon for $74.99+ (available in 4 ft by 7 ft up to 13 ft by 82 ft).

    27. A stylish Citronella candle to keep bugs at bay while you watch the sunset with your roomies (or your dog...or alone... whatever you're into).

    a three-wick candle in a decorative blue tin
    Amazon

    Promising review: "We had a really bad bout of mosquitoes in the LA area this past summer. I have developed an allergy to their bites, so I was doing everything I could to keep them away! I love that this candle looks so nice and actually made a great centerpiece on our living room table. I lit it throughout the summer in our home to repel the mosquitos from coming inside. The smell is light and not overbearing. It seemed to do the job along with some other measures (bug spray, bug lotion, and repellant band), and it lasted a long time." —izzy

    Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (also available in a pack of three).

    28. A vintage-style bike planter complete with three baskets you can fill with your favorite flowers and enjoy even if you haven't ridden a bicycle in over a decade.

    Promising review: "I bought this for my mother, whose been an avid gardener for over 30 years. It was specifically a Mother's Day gift, but really would be such a wonderful and thoughtful gift for anyone who likes to plant, garden, accessorize with vintage charm. Its size is about to my knee (I'm 5-foot-6) and VERY sturdy. My mother has it outside on our porch for her herbs. It doesn't take up much space, but can easily be either indoor or outdoor. It's currently part of her outdoor patio furniture grouping and looks charming. I highly recommend this to anyone looking to bring a little smile to any planter, gardener in your life." —Jennifer J.

    Get it from Amazon for $54.99 (available in black or bronze).

    29. A patio table you can count on to look fabulous with your outdoor furniture while also secretly holding all of your spare pool towels or throw pillows.

    the wicker-like round storage table
    the storage table with the lid off
    Amazon

    Promising review: "This storage side table is so cute!! We put ours out on the pool deck to keep life jackets and pool toys in, and while we're out there we use it as a snack/drink table! The lid twists and locks down so storms can't blow the top off. If you want to store pool chemicals or anything in it the twist lock is strong enough to keep little hands out of it! It actually stores a ton of stuff. It's definitely worth the buy." —Brianna W.

    Get it from Amazon for $68.99+ (available in two colors).

    30. Or a side table that'll pop up to reveal it's *gasp* actually a cooler! All you have to do is fill the base with ice and your favorite drinks to transform your outdoor space into a resort.

    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 styles).

    31. A hammock, in case you have ~someone special~ in your life you'd like to snuggle up with while you gaze into the night sky.

    a reviewer and their boyfriend in the hammock
    a reviewer in the black hammock between two trees

    Promising review: "Love the hammock. Very easy to put up, and I love the mesh. I'm planning on using it all summer. It's a little tight for my boyfriend and me. You need to be comfortable with the person you're sharing with LOL. But definitely worth the price." —Shelsea Rivera

    Get it from Amazon for $27.99 (available in two colors).

    32. projection screen that'll take your outdoor entertaining to the next level. Imagine what the Big Game will look like on this baby?!

    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 $23.99.

    33. A set of boho throw pillow covers you can toss onto your outdoor furniture to give it a fresh, new look.

    Grab some water resistant pillow inserts while you're at it!

    Promising review: "Love these pillowcases. Easy to wash and have a great mix-matched pattern. I use them on my patio and they withstand the outside weather very well. Definitely recommend!" —Alissa Munoz

    Get them from Amazon for $23.99+ (available in five sizes and eight styles).

    34. And flamingo lawn ornaments you'll love so much you'll want to name them and make them part of the family.

    GiftExpress is a small business!

    Promising review: "I recently bought a house, and decided to place these in the yard before my girlfriend (who also owns the house) came over after closing. These were awaiting her arrival and she got a laugh out of it. I'm sure the neighbors love us too — now they know exactly the classy type of individuals we are! They have been surviving the Colorado winter pretty well too." —George

    Get a set of two from Amazon for $16.99.

    Some reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.