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"My Favorite Purchase For Our Deck": 40 Things To Spruce Up Your Outdoor Space

It's time to level up your patio.

1. An umbrella with built-in solar LEDs here to help when the sun is doing the most *and* the least. Now you've got a shady spot to chill on hot days, and can seamlessly transition your afternoon patio party into a nighttime hang once it gets dark out!

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

Get it from Amazon for $71.98+ (available in 11 color combos).

2. Or a triangular sail — it comes in a variety of colors and sizes if you're looking for a more stylish and customizable approach to shade in your outdoor space.

two beige shades set up in a reviewer's back yard
three shades set up in a different reviewer's back yard

The corners of the sails have D rings so you can attach them to whatever you'd like with your choice of hardware or rope.

Promising review: "Purchased this to increase privacy and provide some shade. The color is vibrant, hasn't faded, and the loops are well-stitched. The sail has also faired well in winds, thunderstorms, monsoon rain, and the brutal heat of Vegas. The shade is wonderful and one can definitely feel the temperature difference from full sun to being under this sail. The look and feel compliments our pool area, and will certainly be purchasing an additional one." —VHC Media

Get it from Amazon for $22.99+ (available in a variety of sizes and 13 colors/patterns).

3. A tall table cooler combo in case you need both a high top AND somewhere to keep your bevvies chilled.

Promising review: "I have received a lot of compliments regarding this little cooler/table and for the price, I'm very happy with the purchase. We were looking for a smaller table to complement our larger patio set. After our last party, I think I may have made a couple of sales for the Keter brand. The cooler kept drinks cold for quite a while especially considering we didn't put much ice in it. The standing feature is nice too. Just lock the table in the open position and you can use it for a tall drink stand which works well. If you're looking for a little table for a patio set OR for a little patio cooler this product can take care of both needs." —Phenom13

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

4. citronella candle that mosquitoes hate almost as much as you hate them.

the don't bug me candle
Anchored Northwest / Etsy

This candle has a 60-hour burn time!

Anchored Northwest is a husband and wife–founded small biz based in Spokane, Washington making the most delicious-smelling candles and room sprays,

Promising reviews: "Haven't lit it yet but the candle smells great! The smell alone is so potent even without lighting it yet, we've seen a decrease in mosquitos just leaving it out!" —Michelle Gulino

"Great, light scent that sent the early spring Texas bugs packing when I lit it last night." —Jessica Booth

Get it from Anchored Northwest on Etsy for $25

5. A comfy, zero-gravity canopy swing so you can feel weightless while gently rockin' back and forth in the shade. 

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 I 25–30 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 $219.99 (available in nine colors).

6. A fast-acting lawn repair formula if you're looking for an easy way to fix all the damage your dog has done to your lawn. This stuff is designed to minimize the damaging effects of urine, and grow new grass *even* in spots where your playful pup has done some serious digging. 

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 three sizes and multipacks).

7. A five-piece sectional sofa and table set made with comfy water resistant cushions, durable PE wicker, and tempered glass so it can stand up to the elements and provide you and your guests with an attractive and comfortable spot to relax outdoors.

Promising review: "Absolutely love this couch! Had it for a while at this point, and it really brings my patio together. Had plenty of people come over for cookouts, and everyone compliments me on how comfortable it is and how good it looks! Super easy to assemble, and has lasted me many months so far. Definitely worth the money!" —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $279.99.

8. A super satisfying-to-use electric pressure washer if you need a little extra power at your disposal when it comes to cleaning layers of grime and discoloration off of your deck, patio, fence or driveway. It also works great on cars, boats, and more!

Reviewer uses green electric pressure washer to remove grime from their driveway
Same reviewer shows clean driveway side and grimy driveway side while using the same electric pressure washer

Promising review: "Power washer was delivered Monday, it’s Wednesday and I have washed two cars, cleaned driveway and sidewalks, cleaned back fence, and the work keeps piling up; everything I see now needs to be cleaned! This little dude does not back down; plenty of power and it's surprisingly not too loud. Soap dispensers work great, and the tips are easy to change." —MAR

Get it from Amazon for $129.

9. A strong and bright magnetic barbecue light for anyone who wants to keep the grill going after sundown.

Model grilling meat on a barbecue at night while using the lights, magnetically attached to the grill
Amazon

Promising review: "These grill lights are exactly what I needed! They light up the area so well. The magnets are strong, and the ability to direct the light where needed is great. The package they came in is perfect to store them in when not in use! I have recommended these to several people who also think they are great. I was worried they would be cheap and maybe not have a lot of magnetic hold to them, but they do!!" —LC

Get it from Amazon for $27.99.

10. A standing weeder here to help you achieve a flawless lawn without ending up with a sore back every time you do yard work.

Gif showing how you press it into the ground where the weed is, then lean the handle at an angle (which pulls up the weed), until you pull the whole weed out
Amazon

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

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 weeds 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 from Amazon for $44.99.

11. A tiny, but surprisingly loud portable outdoor Bluetooth speaker (over 143,000 5-star ratings) so you can soundtrack all of your outdoor adventures with stellar playlists!

Promising review: "Wow. When I opened the box and pulled it out I thought it was bit small and surely wouldn't be that loud.... BOY WAS I WRONG!! This FREAKING ROCKS!!! Seriously don't hesitate BUY ONE! The reviews were spot on! Perfect pool side! Best money I've ever spent on a Bluetooth speaker. The wife was skeptical and then I turned it on and she was like wow excellent purchase way to go!" —RIC78

Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in a nine styles/colors).

12. A gorgeous glassworks wind chime to add a pop of color to your space and fill the air with some soothing jingle jangles when a breeze passes through.

rainbow glass feathers hung from a natural wood stick
reviewer hanging the piece on their ceiling

Promising review: "This is definitely the most beautiful wind chime I've ever seen, and I love the sound too. The packaging was nice, all glass pieces were well protected. I will definitely consider buying again as gifts." —Anita J.

Get it from Amazon for $24.95 (available in 10 color combinations).

13. An inflatable pool for anyone with too small a yard for an in-ground pool, but enough space for the next best thing. It's durable, easy to set up and take down, *and* it can fit two adults PLUS four kids while still being compact enough to fit in small spaces.

Reviewer image of pool
Reviewer image of pool

Don't forget to get an electric pump too!

Promising review: "This pool is perfect! It was easy to inflate with a small inflater pump. After opening and laying it out, my large dog just had to walk and lie on it, so I could see it was pretty durable. Once I filled it, which took maybe 30 minutes, it was ready for use. I would totally recommend buying this pool! Fun for kids and adults like myself who want to watch the sunset with a glass of wine and a refreshing soaking. Happy pool-buying!" —Pamela

Get it from Amazon for $89.99.

14. Some reclining zero-gravity lounge chairs with attachable cup holders to turn your yard into the ultimate relaxation station. Plus, you can fold them up for easy portability if you wanna take 'em on the go.

Promising review: "Heaven in a chair. Love everything about the zero-gravity chair! This is my first experience sitting in a chair like this... and I love it. I fell asleep outside, and it felt better than a hammock. I bought the beige... love the color. The fabric feels like a tough nylon. It has already rained on my chair, so I can attest that the chair is waterproof. The water beads off the fabric. I dried off the chair easily and effortlessly. The attachable table is adorable and fits perfectly on the frame of the chair. So happy I purchased." —tgi2day

Get a set of two from Amazon for $99.99 (available in a variety of colors).

15. An outdoor drink stakes set if you could use an extra hand to hold your beverage while having fun out in the yard. 

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.

16. Or a collapsible outdoor table stake that holds two cans, bottles, or glasses, *and* an included stainless steel snack bowl! It also has a built-in bottle opener for extra convenience!

a small table on a stake with two cupholders, a center compartment filled with snacks, and an attached bottle opener
the same table with the stake stuck into a large potted plant
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: "Purchased this as a gift for my brother to go with his corn hole boards. It is just as pictured. It seems like it'll be a little low to the ground for taller men standing around a corn hole board...but better than the beers sitting on the ground or in the off hand. Beautiful workmanship. Highly recommend this product and shop!" —Hayley

Get it from Faircraft USA on Etsy for $60

17. A mesh raised dog bed so your pup has a soft, cool place to relax, too.

Remember to never leave your dog unattended outside in the summer so they don't overheat! This dog bed is great for when you and your pet are spending some time outdoors together and you're able to keep an eye on them.

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, Teaching Muse

Get it from Amazon for $36.99+ (available in sizes S–XL and in six colors).

18. And a fully enclosed mesh outdoor cat tent — now your feline friends can safely join you in the yard as well!

Promising review: "I bought this cat tent because our two fur babies will sit in the window and cry if we are outside. I tried a leash, but they didn't like that, and they often escaped it. I came across this tent, and it was the BEST purchase I made. The quality is great! Both cats fit in it, so the size is perfect. Very excited that this is actually a product for the cats!!!" —hgrizz

Get it from Amazon for $21.99+ (available in three colors).

19. An outdoor inflatable ottoman that supports up to 300 pounds so it can double as somewhere comfy and cute to put your feet up, while providing you with extra seating when you have company over!

Just inflate the interior pouf and stick it inside the printed, water-resistant cover.

Promising review: "Love these! Ordered two more. The fabric is very nice and sturdy especially for outdoors. The inflatable part appears to be good quality. How to: Place inflatable inside of cover before inflating it. Do not inflate to full capacity or it will look like an inflatable and will not rest in a nice flat position. Far nicer than I imagined. They look great flanking my outdoor rattan sectional." —Cali g

Get it from Amazon for $36.99+ (available in a variety of styles).

20. Some colorful flower pots with draining holes and detachable hooks — hang them from a railing to make your outdoor area a little more vibrant! 

row of colorful plant pots with hooks that rang on a railing
A row of colorful buckets in different shades on a wooden surface
Amazon

Promising review: "Fun and versatile. These flower pots add an excellent pop of color to our deck. They are a good size and come in a variety of cheerful colors. I have been using them for about a month and they seem to be good quality. I am very happy with this purchase." —Ekie B.

Get 10 from Amazon for $17.99 (also available in black or white).

21. Or a disco ball planter so you can party with your plant pals even when you're home alone! It comes with a beautiful macrame rope *and* a stylish wooden stand so you can choose between hanging it or placing it on a surface.

The disco ball planter with a plant in it on a patio
a gif of the disco ball planter twirling and shimmering

It's featured in this TikTok!

Promising review: "This planter brings me so much joy every day! It is well crafted and beautifully packaged. I appreciate the extra touches, like the fact it comes with a few extra mirrored tiles and that there are different ways to display it — it comes with a stand and nicely braided hanging rope. Every day my whole living room becomes a party :) Cannot recommend enough." —Phil

Get it from Amazon for $29.97.

22. A powerful fan if you wanna have the ~coolest~ patio in town. It'll help make sweltering hot days a little more bearable *and* to discourage bugs from trying to fly through the breeze to turn you into their personal buffet.

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).

23. And an outdoor heater for when the evenings get a little bit chilly. Now you can pretend your outdoor space is secretly the patio from a chic restaurant. 

Promising review: "Looks and works great. Got these for an outdoor patio event at our home, and everyone was impressed with the warmth and look. Had many compliments, and everyone wanted to know where we got them. Easy to set up and use. Excellent patio heaters!" —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $130.94+ (available in two colors).

24. A compact Weber grill if you'd rather cook outside when the weather's nice, but don't have a whole lot of outdoor space.

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

Promising review: "Great value. Weber out did themselves on this gem. Great for a small deck or small yard. Great for a cookout or small gathering. Great food, easy clean up, and very sturdy." —Kimberly

Get it from Amazon for $139+ (available with or without a cover). 

25. A reviewer-loved portable projector so you can bring movie night to the backyard!

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

Promising review: "I’ve had it for two years and it’s great. I just use a regular wall, so I assume it would look even better on an actual screen. The video is at 135 inches and the quality is pretty good (looks better in person). It’s like having a movie theater at home. I use some old speakers and they work perfectly. 100% recommended. Definitely worth more than $100." —Andrés Acuña González

Get it from Amazon for $89.99+ (available in four styles).

26. And a projection screen big enough to ensure that everyone's got the best seat no matter where they're scattered around your yard.

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 (above) 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 $24.99.

27. A cool hammock chair you'll love hangin' around in.

It comes with two cushions and installation hardware, and can hold up to 500 pounds!

Promising review: "This came in great shape, it was easy to set up, and it is comfy and sturdy. As a plus-size woman, I was a little concerned about how sturdy it would be, but it is great! I've never felt nervous about hopping into it and staying there right until the mosquitoes come out." —Mal T

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

28. Or a hammock with a steel stand and carrying case if a hanging hammock isn't an option, but you still wanna lounge comfortably under the wide open sky.

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

Long, but worthwhile 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-plus 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 lie 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 $63.99+ (available in a a variety of colors/patterns).

29. A roll of faux ivy — use it to gain a little more privacy from nosey neighbors, cover up ugly fencing, or otherwise obscure views you'd rather not have to look at every time you wanna decompress in your outdoor space.

reviewer pic of a cat in a patio chair in front of a deck railing covered in the faux ivy
front yard with a gate and the ivy wrapped around the fencing to obscure what's behind it

Promising review: "This is the second privacy screen I've purchased from Amazon. I have an area in my garden visible from the street. The screen hides all my gardening stuff (i.e. wheelbarrow, buckets, etc.). It truly looks like the real deal!!!" —soooz

Get a 94-inch X 39-inch roll from Amazon for $34.99 (available in three sizes).

30. Or a stylish cedar privacy screen you can dress up with vines, decorations, and even plants using the integrated planters at the bottom! 

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: "My husband and I purchased two of these for our backyard patio so we can have some privacy from our neighbors. The height is perfect. If you're looking for a privacy wall, I would suggest purchasing two. We added river rocks inside each of the planter boxes and filled it completely to the top to support our privacy wall in the strong winds. I plan on adding small potted flowers to place on top of the rocks in the summer. We also painted these with two coats of spar urethane to protect the wood in all weather environments just as a precaution. Very happy with our purchase! 

***Update*** It’s been over a year since I purchased this product, and this held up throughout Northeast Ohio windy lake effect snow storms without any problem! I am so happy my river rocks worked, and I also tied this down to my deck railings during the winter as an extra precaution. As long as you weigh it down and secure it properly, you won’t have any issues." —Kristina Marie

Get it from Amazon for $293.33.

31. Connectable Edison bulb string lights to guarantee that all of your patio parties are truly ~lit~ this season.

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. When they arrived, 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 $17.99+ (available in five sizes, two colors, two styles, and packs of two).

32. A cast-iron firepit for your yard that'll make you feel like you're camping — but with access to your own private bathroom. Time to warm your toes and roast some marshmallows!

gif of fire pit with fire burning
Amazon

Promising review: "This is a great value and it was very easy to assemble! We used it recently and found it to be a great addition to our backyard and it helped keep the mosquitoes away! As the weather has gotten colder at nights I’ve been impressed by how sturdy the fire pit is and by the wonderful heat that it provides us!" —Arthur Glauberman

Get it from Amazon for $199.

33. Or a mini tabletop fireplace (or candle holder) to keep your table looking classy while providing some extra warmth.

tabletop fireplace lit on rocks and placed on table
One Man Garage / Etsy

1Man1Garage is a small business based in Nashville, Tennessee that offers a variety of cool artisan designs that are made with care.

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 as a pack of three from Amazon for $11.65.

Promising review: "Bought as a gift for my BFF. She loves it! Sits on her table on her patio that overlooks the bayou in Florida." —Sandy Sensat

Get it from 1Man1Garage on Etsy for $20+ (available in three styles).

34. *Or* a gas firepit table that comes with a glass lid so you can use it as a table when the fire is turned off!

Promising review: "My favorite purchase for our deck. I LOVE this fire table. Good size, great value compared to what is out there. Packaged nicely. My husband put 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 four sizes and two styles).

35. A weather-resistant end table available in a variety of fun colors to add a stylish surface to your backyard hangout zone where you can put drinks, plants, snacks, and more! 

the green table next to a reviewer's chaise lounge
Reviewer photo of the table in red with a pot of flowers sitting on it on a deck

Promising review: "OMG this is cute and super easy to assemble. I got the red and kinda wish I had gotten the blue... oh but all the colors are so cute!! Debating buying a second one so each porch chair has its own table. This really is so incredibly versatile. I could see it on a porch, as a minimalist side table, in a kid's room, a place to keep plants... I wouldn't put anything tremendously heavy on it, but as far as tables at this price go, this is the best!" —Meghan McD

Get it from Amazon for $35.99+ (available in a variety of colors).

36. A weatherproof outdoor bean bag chair for anyone who would much prefer to just plop themselves down on one of these than sit in some stinkin' chair!

37. A galvanized steel planter bed if you fancy a little garden of veggies, herbs, and flowers to tend to!

Promising review: "This raised bed is very affordable. The bed looks thin and flimsy at first, but once it is set up, it is very sturdy even though very light to carry around empty. I also appreciate that this is a foot tall and not too shallow like some other raised beds being sold. This is an excellent product and I would recommend it highly for what you are paying for." —JT

Get it from Amazon for $49.86+ (available in two sizes and three styles).

38. Or a raised garden bed in case you find it difficult or painful to bend and kneel while caring for your plants!

Promising review: "I’m impressed with these. Assembly was very easy and took little time. I assembled them inside my house and moved them out to the garden afterward. These are good weight to them, even when empty. They feel and look like a high quality product. I used a staple gun and lightly tacked the liner up to the edges of the bed. This made the beds much simpler to fill with soil. A few days after filling with soil and seeds, we had six days of all-day, non-stop rain. The beds held up beautifully and show no signs of wear. I am currently growing a whole crop of gourds in the beds. These are performing beautifully. I am thinking I will buy one or two more. Highly recommended!" —Rae Ablan

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

39. three-piece rocking chair set for all the rockers out there. 

Promising review: "This set is beautiful, good quality — especially for the price and so sleek and bold looking! I ordered this twice because I was so thrilled with the first set I ordered!" —Amazon Customer 

Get it from Amazon for $119.99+ (available with three cushion colors).

40. And finally, a weather-resistant cedar pathway you can roll out in your yard so your guests and family have an aesthetically pleasing place to stroll *without* wearing down your immaculately manicured lawn.

slotted wood walkway beside a bed of hydrangeas
Amazon

Promising review: "I've just installed these wooden garden pathway along the side of my house. Everyone just loves them. They give the entrance to the backyard a tropical resort feel. I highly recommend them. Sturdy and durable as well." —Tom Sokolowski

Get an 8-foot path from Amazon for $79.99.

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