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1. First things first, make sure you have some nice seating that you and your BFF can park yourselves in while catching up over a drink. You can pair this chic outdoor patio set with a nice rug, some pouf footstools, and some boho-style pillows to really cozy it up and draw the space together.
2. Pick up some outdoor-themed decorative throw pillow covers that can go right over those boring pillows currently being used outside. They'll really help tie your outdoor furniture in with the green surroundings and make it an even cozier place to hang out once it warms up outside.
3. String up some waterproof globe lights so your outdoor gatherings can continue long into the night. Hang them along your roofline, drape them on outdoor structures, or just string them up solo to give your backyard the most magical vibe.
4. Set up an area for s'mores, late-night chats, and star-gazing around a cosmic-themed fire pit, complete with moons and stars etched into the sides. Cozy ambiance, here we come.
5. Or build your own fire pit if you're feeling crafty and inspired — you'll just need some basic materials like bricks, stones, and gravel along with tools you probably already have, like a shovel and measuring tape.
6. Or! Place a tabletop glass fireplace in your backyard seating area if you don't have the space for a fire pit. It's not just nice to look at — it can also be used for s'mores!
7. Shade is a *must*, so add some cover to your hangout spot with a lighted umbrella that'll also help illuminate the area when the sun goes down. No more squinting and shielding your eyes while you're just trying to have a conversation.
8. Or hang a sunshade triangle to block the sun while still letting the breeze pass through. It's a little less bulky and more out of your way than an umbrella, especially if you don't have a good table for mounting.
9. Shield your yard from the view of your neighbor's messy backyard by placing faux ivy along a fence. It also enhances the beauty of the whole area and makes it feel a bit more natural.
You can also line the top of a pergola with these vines for some shade, letting a bit of dappled sunlight pass through for gorgeous effect.
10. Or set up a handsome privacy screen that's super sleek and warms up a space. Place some pretty plants in the integrated planters near the base, let vines climb up the side, or hang decorations from the slats — you can dress these up as much as you want and really make them a focal point.
11. Draw your patio furniture together visually with a durable, fast-drying outdoor area rug that can withstand storms and other wear and tear. It brings the whole look of your decor together and makes your patio feel like a cozy oasis.
12. Hang a hammock chair that everyone will be fighting to sit in during cookouts. The cotton rope hammock style adds lovely boho vibes and is so comfy, you'll want to park yourself in it with a good book and cold drink on nice days.
13. Place colorful outdoor inflatable ottomans by the pool, on your patio, or in the garden for not only chic decor, but also places to sit or rest your feet. They can withstand over 500 hours of direct sunlight without fading!
14. Don't have the space for a full-on garden? Scatter potted plants around to liven up your backyard with some greenery so it still feels like a peaceful oasis. Opt for plants of different heights and sizes for visual interest!
15. And hang some of your greenery so your yard really feels like a tropical getaway. These 10-inch speckled hanging planters would really ~elevate~ the look of your backyard patio and let your precious succulents or hanging plants thrive.
16. Make your flowerbed pop with some solar-powered light-up flowers that'll come on as the sun goes down, transforming your yard and garden into a whimsical fairyland. You can mix them in with your real flowers, or if you don't have an actual flowerbed, stick them into the ground.
17. If you're constantly planning your next vacation, channel some of that tropical ambiance into your own backyard with a light-up palm tree, because one can never have too much funky lighting!
18. Throw some color onto your fences and railings with a rainbow collection of flower pots. These cheery pots will give your backyard a welcoming feel, but they're just as practical for your plants, with draining holes and hooks so they're easy to water and hang.
20. Create the ultimate relaxation zone with an inflatable hot tub to give your yard some of that luxurious spa energy without shelling out thousands — or committing to have an actual giant hot tub in your backyard year-round.
21. Get cooking with an outdoor pizza oven because nothing satisfies a big crowd more than some 'za. From pizza parties with friends to intimate date nights, your backyard can transform into a professional-style pizza kitchen anytime you need it.
22. Or create your own mortarless wood-fire pizza oven, a dry-stacked brick chamber that many people believe is the *best* way to cook pizza because of how quickly it cooks without removing any of the flavor. Plus, it'll just add a cool, rustic vibe to your backyard.
23. Set up a tabletop grill so you can host barbecues in your backyard — or just move dinner for yourself and a partner outside — even if your yard is too small for a full-sized grill. There's something about grilled meat and veggies that just hits different, and this little guy will have you firing them up all summer long.
24. Invite the birds to stay a while with a vintage camper birdhouse that'll make your backyard their personal campground (and double as unique retro decor for the trees).
25. And distract those mischievous squirrels from getting into the birds' food by setting up a picnic table with a screw to hold a cob of corn and a hole to hold a little bowl for other snacks. Now when you're sitting outside at your table, you'll get to watch your backyard squirrel enjoying a meal at his, too.
26. Lay down interlocking Teak tiles to cover a surface that has seen better days. Durable and weatherproof, they'll instantly kick your backyard aesthetic up a notch and make it look sharp and put-together.
27. Set up an outdoor daybed so you can start taking your mid-day naps outside without fear of getting a sunburn. Its retractable canopy keeps you nice and cool — and when you're not taking a snooze, it comes apart into multiple seats with a center table for group hangouts.
28. Or keep it simple with a hammock so comfortable, it has reviewers swearing off their *actual* beds entirely. Pair it with a cool drink and a good book, and it'll single-handedly make your backyard to go-to hangout spot on nice days.
29. Upgrade your garden area with a classic, easy-to-install trellis that'll draw everyone's eye. It's made of vinyl and won't rot, crack, rust, or discolor, making it *super* easy to take care of as well.
30. And install some small (1-foot tall!) picket fencing around your garden beds to really make them stand out and look nice, but can also deter kids and animals from getting into them and ruining your hard work.
31. Set up a directional sign personalized with up to 10 of your favorite destinations and their distance from your backyard, whether it's a beloved vacation spot or grandma's house.
32. Place solar-powered mason jar lights around your backyard — on tables, along fences and railings, or on stair steps — to liven up evenings and make you nostalgic for nights spent catching fireflies as a kid.
33. Arrange some adorable metal ladybugs along your fence, porch, trees, or trellis for vibrant pops of color that'll surprise and delight any visitors (and bring you a little extra joy on the daily).
34. Splurge on a dome garden trellis that'll quickly become your backyard hideaway and make a huge impact on the entire space. Cover it with vines, and surround it with flowers to really turn it into a serene private area.
Looking at all this cute backyard inspo as an apartment-dwelling New Yorker like:
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