5 days ago
42 Outdoor Upgrades For The Perfect Entertaining
Install a cooling misting system to help you get as much time as possible outside this summer because last summer your backyard started to feel like sitting in a sauna. (Hey, at least you didn't have to look at strangers in their towels!)
Become da belle of da ball after you install a colorful tree swing that everyone can enjoy — it has a weight capacity of 900 pounds.
Promising review: "We've had this swing hanging in our tree out back for two years now. Our kids, and their friends, LOVE it. I love that it's large enough to accommodate a number of kids/people, and that it's held up so well over time. Would totally recommend." —KrystalGet it from Amazon for $35.79.
Get your plants out of a slump with a pack of four plant supporters that'll perk 'em right back up while blending in enough so they don't look super obvious. Your nosiest neighbor is gonna want to know what the heck you did.
Host some amazing outdoor movie nights with a portable 100-inch movie screen that'll also store pretty easily after you've laid the seeds for some nightmares because of your Slash Summer movie series.
Brighten up a railing thanks to some colorful flower pots with draining holes and hooks so the plants inside can ~thrive~ while they sit there looking pretty. (Don't worry, artificial flowers will thrive in there too.)
Promising review: "Planted succulents in each one and hung off my white fence in backyard. Looks great." —TruggiGet 10 from Amazon for $16.99.
Or try out a ledge planter so you can take FULL advantage of your deck situation to spread some floral joy to your backyard. This will also securely attach plants to your porch or other rails.
And create a lush feel beyond your landscaping with a wooden wall-mounted trellis here to support your growing climbing plants or hanging planters. If your backyard doesn't have as much space for foliage, this is a great way to get in some more greenery out of basically thin air.
Become every kid's favorite neighbor with this inflatable dinosaur water play center you wish came in an adult size, too. Just be prepared that after you break it out the first time, you're probably going to have to set it up dozens more times this summer.
Invest in a foldable play set if you don't want to give up a whole section of your backyard to a swing set, but the grandkids LOVE to climb and you could stand for them to get out a bit of energy before they sit down for dinner. Then, you can fold it up and store it away when you want your yard back!
Place a solar-powered bird bath fountain pump in your overlooked bird bath (or another piece of backyard decor that can hold water) for a mesmerizing water feature that'll require very little H2O. With this, the water can reach up to a foot high and, hopefully, lure in some winged entertainment for your outdoor rooms.
Address bare spots in your lawn with some dog spot repair if your puppy has a favorite pee spot and it shows... This stuff will get new grass growin' in no time so you can get back to hosting BBQs.
*Easily* use a standing weeder (without the chemicals!) to help improve your view of your yard. You're not the only one who has trouble enjoying weed-filled scenery. And hey, while you're weeding with this there's no bending over! Your back will thank you.
Made with a bamboo handle and powder-coated steel, it uses a simple lever system to made weeding 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." —JGGet it on Amazon for $36.97.
And target pesty plantings with crack weeder tool that'll go where the larger weeder (and your hands!) can't.
Try an oil-stain remover capable of annihilating that grease stain that you thought made your patio or walkway a goner.
Promising review: "We had a 2005 truck parked on our paver driveway for years. The area in the photo was thick with oil leak residue. I tried several products that didn't make any difference. But with the "Pull It Out" product, the oil is gone! You can see the stark difference in the photo, with the area that was treated and the area that was not. This goes on as a liquid; it absorbs the oil from the bricks as it dries. Then I lightly scrub and hose it off, and voila! Gone! Even better, it's biodegradable!! I rarely post reviews for a product, but this product earned it. This is the best I have seen for taking leaked oil out of a driveway." —RobocopGet it from Amazon for $17.97.
Mount an outdoor fan to the corner of your patio to keep a breeze going because even if your setup has ceiling fans, sometimes that isn't enough in mid-July. Also, circulating air will decrease the number of bugs that bother you.
String up waterproof globe lights for a big style impact when hung along your roofline, draped on outdoor structures like a pergola, or just strung up solo so you can enjoy the lights *and* the stars.
And stake solar lights along a walkway or pond right where you need 'em. Lighting is key for getting more use out of your outdoor space. Oh, and they look nice in the daylight too!
And if you've got stairs, add some solar-powered stair lights so you can mosey on down your deck stairs to your backyard setup with a glass of wine in each hand *safely*.
Promising review: "Where I live, it's so dark and I have no outside electricity off my screened-in deck. I wanted lights for my stairs for safety and found these lights, which work and look great! They come with everything you need to fasten them to the stairs so they don't fall off as well. I even bought extra and tested them in the event that the ones that are currently outside get damaged for any reason, and they are no longer sold. Definitely recommend for the price, nice and bright, and easy installation. Plus, they last all night long!" —BrookeGet it from Amazon for $23.99+ (available in warm or cool white light and six pack sizes).
Cover up stained or outdated surfaces with interlocking teak tiles you don't need tools to install. That concrete patio slab is older than you, but it doesn't have to look that way.
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!" —AdazzleGet 10 sq. ft from Amazon for $81.99.
Attach a roll of faux ivy to ugly wire fencing or a railing with a view you don't love. Here's to a bit more privacy!
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!!!" —sooozGet a roll from Amazon for $34.99+ (available in three roll sizes).
And give yourself some privacy in a different style with a pack of natural reed fencing in case you've got a nosy neighbor or you just really want your own personal oasis.
Promising review: "I am very happy with this reed fencing. The lovely brown color and tight weave with the string is so much better than ones I've had in the past that were weaved with wire that look shabby and horrible. These are a wonderful quality for the price to make putting up large sections of fencing more affordable. They are not completely private, as people have mentioned, but that's not what I wanted. I wanted to be able to see through a little bit, but they work great to give some sense of separation and privacy." —Lauren it from Amazon for $56.09+ (available in seven sizes and two colors).
Put some bleach-free outdoor cleaner to work on walkways and other surfaces before you commit to pulling out the pressure washer. Its foamy formula is totally safe around your precious plants.
But if that isn't cutting it, a power washer will give you an oh-so-satisfying "after" when it comes to stained and worse-for-wear concrete surfaces. (And the same goes for fences!)
And if nothing seems to help out your discolored concrete patio and walkway surfaces, try out some concrete paint – it will take a bit of elbow grease to spruce up stained concrete patios or walkways but it'll make a HUGE difference without tearing up any hard surfaces.
OK, so painting your concrete patio may not sound like the easiest upgrade but if you're no stranger to painting and want a big impact, give it a try!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." —RLBGet it from Amazon for $43.81+ a gallon (available in two shades of gray).
Invest in an indoor-friendly hammock chair (you could also hang up on a covered patio) that'll give hanging out a new meaning. Add a throw pillow and you'll never want to leave.
"Roger, plz forward all my calls to the hammock."Promising review: "If I had to pick one product to stand by for all of eternity, it would be this swing. First of all, it's darling. We could start and end with its Anthro-Free People vibe alone. But those websites would sell it for an amount comparable to your mortgage and this little number is so ridiculously reasonable, it's almost wasteful not to buy it. You can buy a pair and not be stuck slurping ramen for the rest of the month. Also, this swing is like therapy. But cheaper. Pop in some ear buds, hop in, close your eyes and swing. YPhone ringing? Kids yelling? House on fire? Whatever. You're swinging." —Sincerely BeccaGet it from Amazon for $59.99.
Roll out some perma-mulch you can use around your garden beds and *keep* there because this stuff (made of recycled tires) imitates wood mulch but won't need replacing. If you have trouble sitting still while there's yard work that needs doing, you'll especially appreciate this.
Put down a weather-resistant cedar pathway you can roll out along garden beds or other paths where your family (including the members with paws) tends to tread and wear down the grass.
Assemble a smaller-scale nice-looking shed if you don't have room for a full-fledged shed to stash recycling bins, bikes, a lawnmower, and other hefty tools.
Refresh all kinds of outdoor furniture and structures with some rust-stopping spray paint for a weekend afternoon project that'll have a substantial payoff. Just look at that zhuzhed garden gate!
And some outdoor fabric spray paint (yes, you read that right) can refresh your outdoor pillows and cushions so guests don't have to worry about getting dirty from last year's cushions.
Upgrade to a fancy umbrella that looks like it belongs at a pricey pool club to create some shade *and* a backyard photo op.
Invest (granted, a cheap investment) in a clip-on light if you like your existing umbrella but could use the extra light.
Create some custom shade with a sunshade triangle you can rig up rather than a canopy you can rig up over the patio or the kids' sandbox to block up to 95% of UV rays and keep things a bit cooler.
Make the most of your outdoor space with a wooden privacy screen with planters at the bottom you can situate around AC units or other less-than-lovely-looking essentials.
Promising review: "We have a small patio close to a grassy area where the neighborhood dogs do their business — so annoying and smelly — so we needed a way to get lots of florals in while also providing some privacy. These are perfect and hold lots of florals; the ivy I have is already beginning to climb the trellis, and they're sturdy!! We live in a windy area, and so far, they haven't budge. Also so, so easy to put together!! Took us less than a half hour probably." —JessicaGet it from Amazon for $76.49+ (available in three sizes; be sure to clip the 10% off coupon when applicable).
Put in a self-sealing magnetic screen door that'll let dogs help themselves out or in the house — so you won't have to peel yourself up your hammock after you got nice and comfy with a horror book.
Keep on using that sturdy (but ancient) picnic table with some vinyl covers reviewers found extremely helpful for camping and park use, BUT will also protect you from splinters at home. Go ahead, have dinner outside today!
Establish a garden focal point with an easy-to-install trellis. This one's made of PVC so it'll be super easy to take care of!
It's just ready and waiting for a vine you can train to climb it!Promising review: "I bought this trellis for a climbing rose to add interest to a blank space at the front of my house. I like the interesting pattern especially as my rose is still small and the top of the trellis is still empty. The trellis was easy to put together and is made of easy care materials. I used the feet that came with it to install it and so far that is sufficient to keep it up." —AnonymousGet it from Wayfair for $76.99 (available in two colors).
Rig up a double hammock you totally have permission to use just by yourself. (It's easier than you'd think!)
Show off your plantings at night (and give yourself a light show) with a pack of solar-powered garden lights. How magical!
Post up a solar-powered bird feeder with a built-in AI-powered camera for some serious wildlife entertainment, even if you're in a cul-de-sac in a sea of neighborhoods. You'll get real-time notifications so you can peek outside and see birds chow down as it happens.
Though it's technically not your backyard, hang up a waterproof outdoor curtain on your deck to help give you a little privacy from your neighbor or block the sun out of your eyes while you're having your morning coffee out there.
Put up a hook-and-ring game that'll work in even tiny outdoor spaces. Every backyard needs some kind of game element! You'll def be able to squeeze in this one.
