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Just 35 Things That Will Make Hanging Out In Your Backyard Even Better
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We hope you love our recommendations! While every product is independently chosen by our editors, BuzzFeed and our publishing partners may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. You can read more about how our affiliate partnerships work in our Editorial Standards & Ethics Guide. This stunning, cosmic-themed firepit is ready to be the centerpiece of your backyard parties. Reviewers note that you should remove the bulbs before stringing up the strands and then install the bulbs. Promising review: "I am loving my new lights! Just got them up in time for hanging out on the back deck for springtime. They give a great outdoor cafe feel to my back deck. I advise purchasing extra light bulbs when purchasing these lights. It comes with one extra, but they are extremely fragile/delicate. We ended up breaking four total during the hanging process." —charlee harris Get 25-foot strand from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in four styles and seven lengths). Since these are solar-powered, you'll need to place them in the sun to get them to light up. Five to eight hours of sun exposure will work if you want roughly eight hours of light. And if you don't want to do that, no worries, because they have a spot for an optional battery if you'd rather power them up without the sun. Promising review: "I purchased these solar lights last weekend for my front porch space redo, I absolutely love them! They are high-quality, and work great. I like that they have an on/off switch on the underside of the lid, so I can turn them off when I’m finished using them for the night. I’m very happy with my purchase and will definitely recommend these to anyone." —Deb It comes with two chairs and a small matching glass table. Promising review: "Exactly what I was looking for. Construction seems sturdy. Dimensions and style were perfect for the small patio space I was looking to get use out of, and the egg shape of the chairs is very comfortable. I paired them with a seagrass outdoor rug, faux fur chair pads, a beanbag-style poof footstool, and some boho throw pillows, and I love how the space was instantly transformed. I highly recommend this set." —Baby blues Get it from Amazon for $164.99+ (available in four colors). Don't have any pillows on hand? No worries, you can buy a set of these hypoallergenic pillow cushions to get started on your patio update. Opt for cushions two inches bigger than your covers for the fluffiest effect (so 20x20 inserts for 18x18 covers, for instance). Promising review: "These are some of the best outdoor pillows we've had. They're not super soft but I don't expect that in an outdoor pillow. But they are beautiful and durable, which is what counts! I'd definitely buy them again." —Amy B Get a set of four 18x18 covers from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in five sizes and 17 designs). It's super easy to clean — just wash it off with the garden hose if it gets dirty, and it'll dry in no time! Promising review: "The first thing I noticed about this rug is that the color is exactly what I expected based on the seller's photo. This feels like a high-end outdoor rug. I put my yoga mat on top of it and do yoga on my deck, and I can comfortably be on my knees without any pain. This rug adds a nice cushion to my deck in a seating area where we often go without shoes. The rug feels good on your feet. I have cleaned the rug with mostly just a broom; however, I hosed the pollen off during the spring, and it dried quickly. The material stitching on the rug's edges looks like it can hold up to heavy foot traffic over time. I have had it for several months now, and there is no fraying at all." —Antoinette Get an 8x10 rug from Amazon for $79.89 (available in eight sizes and seven colors). It has a range of up to 1,500 square feet! Promising review: "Usually if I am outside with a group of people, the bugs come hunting for me, and nobody else gets bitten if I am in the area. I got tired of putting on bug spray every time I go out on the patio, so I bought this to try, and it has made a huge difference. I turn it on for a little bit every night, even if I am not outside, and you can hear and see it doing its thing, and now I can sit out back and have no bug spray and nothing bothers me. Very effective product. On the recommendation of some other reviews, I also purchased a Black Flag Octenol Lure to help attract even more bugs, and I think it helps too." —Todd F It's made of thick durable steel and covered with rust-resistant, high-temperate pain. And the effect of the light shining through the moon and stars at night? Stunning. Promising review: "Got this as part of our backyard renovation project. Shipping was super fast, received it earlier than expected. Large firepit, super easy to assemble. It’s a sturdy piece! I read the reviews and decided to take some precautions — we drilled three drain holes at the base, fast and easy to do. We also bought a cover just in case. Used it the same day during a chilly NC night to watch an outdoor movie with friends and blankets in the backyard. Worked amazingly and kept us toasty. Love the cutouts! Friends asked where we got it all night. Would recommend to anyone!" —Isabel A bit of assembly is required when you first unpack this mini fireplace, but the pieces snap together pretty easily. You'll just need to provide your own fuel (this three-pack of Sterno cans from Amazon will work just fine), and you can buy it with or without sand and rocks (which come with the deluxe kit). The sand is needed to protect the wood base from direct heat, so you'll need to use some of your own if you don't get the deluxe kit. When not burning a fire, you can also just use this as a holder for a regular candle! One Man One Garage is a small business based in Nashville that was founded in 2013 and offers artisan designs, many of which also make great gifts! Promising review: "Absolutely beautiful! I bought this for a friend, and she had a great time putting it together. The instructions were clear and easy to follow. I got the deluxe box with extras, and it didn't disappoint! The wooden forks for the s'mores were perfect. The overall structure is sturdy and adds such an ambiance, a perfect centerpiece while chatting it up for hours! Definitely recommend." —Megan Get it from One Man One Garage on Etsy for $25+ (available in a basic set with flat glass panes, deluxe sets with flat or beveled glass panes, and in a mini size that uses a tea light instead). You can use these to roast hot dogs, small corn, and veggie skewers, too! Promising review: "Roasted a lot of marshmallows on sticks and clothes hangers. The MalloMe sticks make it so much easier and more fun. First, they are compact, easy to carry, and easy to find in their own bag. Next, it is easy to put a marshmallow on the stick. Then, extending the stick as much as needed is easy. Rotating over the fire carefully is easy. The twin tines keep the marshmallow from falling off. And taking the marshmallow off is easy. Cleaning is not very hard, but I'm not sure I'm doing the best job. I love these sticks and intend to buy several more as gifts." —catch1949 Get a five-pack from Amazon for $7.44 (also available in packs of eight, 10, 12, and 20). Promising review: "We put them out by the firepit immediately and everyone loves them, plus the different colors help keep track of whose is whose if you get up and forget." —Amanda Get a set of six from Amazon for $42.95 If you've never sat in an Adirondack chair before, I can testify to their comfort. My parents have a set of these that sit outside by their firepit in Missouri year-round, and we've sat in them for hours during countless bonfires. The angle of the seat feels great on your back as it's helping relieve pressure on your spine, and the wide arm rests give you a place to lay your arms and relax your shoulders as well. Promising review: "It took me about 25 minutes to assemble, I will admit I was a little overwhelmed at first, but luckily the instructions were very clear and easy to follow. The finished product was well worth it. The wood look finish is even prettier in person. It has somewhat of a gloss to it but not too much; it looks gorgeous when the sun is beaming on it. Totally surpassed my expectations! The color is also just what I was expecting from the pictures, so it matches the rest of my decor perfectly. The chair is quite heavy; it is totally designed to last! I am sure I will get many years of use out of this. A gorgeous new addition to my backyard." —Liana Nicole Get them from Amazon for $94.99+ each (available in 18 colors and sets of two, four, six, or eight). Note: This is the firepit-specific version of this chair that's lower to the ground, ideal for lounging by the fire and for people who are on the shorter side, but there are other chair styles on the listing! Promising review: "The best camp chair I’ve ever owned! I camped five days in this and didn’t want to get out of it. The firepit rocker sits lower to the ground (but not weirdly so), and I’m 5-feet-tall, and this is the first time my legs didn’t dangle from a chair. Super comfortable if you have hip or back pain. I actually felt better after sitting in it after a hard hike. And! I was able to get out of it quickly to kung fu fight a raccoon trying to steal my s’mores! I will be ordering a second one for my daughter since we fought over who got to sit in it." —wer002 Get it from Amazon for $80+ (available in four other styles and nine colors). Plus, the stand is easy to assemble, disassemble, and pack up in the included carrying case for storage or travel. 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 set up/take down is super easy and the frame is very sturdy — we have definitely put 300+ 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 lay 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 $127.19 (available in 16 colors). It sports 120 air jets and heats up quickly to a soothing 104 degrees — just imagine this on a clear night with a glass of your favorite chilled drink. Reviewers say about two to three people is the max for the most comfortable fit. Promising review: "I waited almost five months to give this review. I wanted to make sure the hot tub held up with no problems. I installed this Dec 15th and live in Coastal NJ. We went through a polar vortex, and the hot tub worked flawlessly even in the extreme cold. I am 6' tall and can't bend my knees due to severe arthritis so I don't fit in a regular tub. This has been wonderful. The height is easy for me to step in and out of but still allows me to soak right up to under my chin. It has worked perfectly with zero issues since filling it up and using it. I have never had to add more air to it and only have had to add water twice. It has had no real impact on my electric bill either. "The only negative things about it: The jets feature is TOO powerful (when sitting in the spa with the jets on, it blows water into my ears — there should be a way to tone them down a little), and the spa also cools down rapidly with them on, but that's to be expected when injecting cold air into the water. I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND this to anyone considering purchasing one." —James Breese Get it from Amazon for $529.99+ (available in two colors). Promising review: "This has been a great addition to our cleaning regime. We wash cars, sidewalks, and backyard pool areas. Today I am cleaning my outdoor BBQ and can't wait to get started. It is easy to use and set up and cleans everything easily. The canister is easy to pull around and never tips over due to its unique wheel design. I highly recommend this product." —Caroline Leary Note that this includes just the umbrella, not the table! Promising review: "Great umbrella! We don't keep it up all the time, just take it out when needed. Great quality. The lights are great at night, really elevates our backyard! The option for leaning the umbrella is really nice, too, in the mornings when I want to sit outside without the morning sun blaring down on me. If you don't want it to break, don't keep it outside all the time, that simple!" —Morgan Get it from Amazon for $69.99+ (available in 11 color combos). Promising review: "This was exactly what we needed for the backyard. It definitely provides enough privacy, and it gives the backyard a very nice ambiance! The leaves completely blend in with the other trees and plants we have in the backyard, and it looks like we made a huge upgrade in our gardening game." —Amazon Customer Get a roll from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in three sizes). You'll need some green zip ties to secure them, too. It can hold up to 320 pounds of weight! If you don't have a place to hang it, you can also get a stand for hanging it, as shown on the right above. Promising review: "No assembly required; super easy to put up and adds so much character to our backyard. It's also very comfortable to sit in. I'm only 5 feet tall, so I'm able to sit cross-legged with extra room." —Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $49.99 (available in five colors). Promising review: "This indeed got grass growing well over some bad, long-term 'dog spots' right near our sidewalk. Within two weeks, we had a lot of grass growing in those areas. While expensive for the small amount you get, it does work well. I would recommend getting some cheap soil and mixing it together to make your dollar go farther." —Jason If it's a particularly tough stain, you might need a second application and light scrubbing! Promising review: "I don't often write a review of a product. But this was so impressive, I thought I should let others know. We have a set of vinyl outdoor chairs that were constantly covered with mildew. When we were feeling ambitious, we'd take the time to power wash the chairs, which worked pretty well but was a lot of work. The problem was that a couple of days later, the mildew was back almost as bad a before. With this mildew stain remover, we sprayed the chairs, let them sit a few minutes, and hosed off with a regular garden hose. Easy. And they were cleaner than they ever got using the power washer. When we put the chairs away two months later, they were still clean." —Christine A. Simonson Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in three sizes). You can also shut the top and just use it as a regular end table when you're not utilizing the cooler function. Promising review: "Have gotten so many compliments on this already. Great even when not using as a cooler for just a functional end table near our furniture around the firepit. Can put drinks on there, s'mores stuff, etc. It's nice because it functions as a table without being big and bulky. It can easily be moved around to where it is needed. and the cooler function of course is what sets it apart from all other tables and makes it awesome!" —Amy M. Get it from Amazon for $97.64+ (available in two colors). Promising review: "Hands down best bang for your buck — absolutely worth it! Quality is like one of those $250 ones and this one is under $200. Go for it! Looks so much better than having a fridge outside on your patio for your cold beer/drinks." —Priscila Lapins "Ice retention was great all night long, making our beverages cold ’til the next day. And size and color were just as listed. Overall, it’s nice." —Rob Huizar Get it from Amazon for $179.99+ (available in three colors). The Bluetooth distance between phone and speaker is up to 33 feet, while the dual pairing distance between the two speakers is up to 66 feet! The handles at the top make them easy to hang, but you can also just set them on the ground or a table! Promising review: "The surround sound that we get at night while sitting around the firepit is wonderful! We invested in shepherd's hooks so that we can relocate wherever we want! Nice." —Denise Peoples Get the two-pack from Amazon for $149.98 (available with white lights or rainbow lights). FYI, if you're making s'mores, don't throw these on until *after* you're done cooking with the fire. To get the show started, just add 1–3 of these packets to your fire, and you'll get up to a full hour of colorful flames before the vibrancy fades. You can add additional packets as needed! Promising review: "These fire color-changing packets are the backyard secret weapon you never knew you needed! These super colorful wonders turn an ordinary fire into a mesmerizing spectacle that lasts about 45 minutes. Throw in two or three at a time, and you've got a backyard rave that even Mother Nature would RSVP to. A simple yet enchanting way to add a pop of color to your outdoor gatherings!" —Matt Peterson Promising review: "I used these for the first time the other night, and they were exactly what I wanted. I often tend to grill after dark and I can’t see what’s on the grill, but not anymore. These light up the entire grill surface area perfectly. Would definitely buy again." —Flossie DeGrave These are water-repellent and stain-resistant, too, with a handle on the side that makes them easy to carry. Promising review: "These are too cool!! The fabric cover is sturdy and really nice; the colors are bright and vibrant. Ordering more for the patio and son's play area. And wherever else! Note: Gotta put the inflatable part in the cover before you inflate it LOL. I didn't read the instructions first." —Jennifer S. Get one from Amazon for $32.99+ (available in two sizes and many styles). You could even color-coordinate the flowers you put inside 🌈. 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 set of 10 from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in two sizes and sets with all-black or all-white pots). Promising reviews: "I absolutely LOVE THESE!!!! They’re so colorful and bright...I’ve said 100 times I wish I could put them all over my front and backyard. My favorite Amazon purchase all summer!!!!!" —Misty "Love it! Looks beautiful at night, and guests love them! Planning on ordering more soon! Works in all weather, rain, snow, heat! Just need sunlight! Only con is probably not a con, but they only stay lit at night for approximately two and a half hours. That’s fine because we head to bed, so it’s perfect for us! Highly recommended!" —Damon R. Jackson Get a six-pack from Amazon for $39.99 (also available in a 10-pack). Some people even use these as coastal Christmas trees! BTW, the 8- and 9-foot versions come with "coconuts" that make them even more vibrant (as shown above, right). Promising review: "The new pool needed a little something, and this tree made it! We love it! Our neighbors love it! Our guests love it, and everyone is asking where to get one! Fast delivery, easy setup, and looks terrific! Daytime and nighttime awe! It's held up to storms and wind so far. I screwed the base down into the deck, but the framework is sturdy! I've even had birds fooled into thinking this thing is REAL! Well worth it, folks!" —Jon Get it from Amazon for $72+ (available in four heights, a solar-powered version, and a two-pack). This weatherproof fan has a fully sealed and permanently lubricated industrial motor to protect it against wetness. Promising review: "Great fan at a good price! I bought this fan for my backyard to help circulate the air in hot days and to help deter mosquitoes at night around the firepit. This fan worked perfectly. It has three speeds, the highest of which is super strong. The fan at high speed is a bit noisy, but nothing unexpected of a powerful fan. It is also 100% waterproof, which is a must. My only minor issues would be 1) it would be nice if the fan came with a cover for when it’s not used (I bought 20-inch tire storage covers to do the job), and 2) the fan is only adjustable up and down not side to side — if they could make it oscillate that would be great. Having said that, I would recommend this fan for sure and would not hesitate to buy it again" —Bigdad Get it from Amazon for $121.92+ (available in two sizes). Promising review: "This is our second one in 10 years (and only because a piece of the clip on the top lid finally broke off our first one). We still use that one in the 'man cave' for recycling. I purchased this originally to use in the kitchen because we have a large family and needed a larger locking can to keep our kiddos and dogs out of the trash. Very sturdy and well-made. It's super easy to snap together and looks great. When we have guests, they don't even realize it's the trash can. As long as these are still being made, we will not buy any other trash can. This is our can for life!" —J&A Get it from Amazon for $59+ (available in five colors). Promising review: "I bought this for a party so everyone could make their own pizza. The setup was so easy, and I will say it is built great — it's made of high-quality materials and put together with precision. Followed instructions and did a pre-burn, and it got up to temp fast and stopped with the smoke very quickly. Made 21 pizzas the next day and it went great, the only challenge was keeping the temp up and the dough thin so it would cook and not burn. Tips: With the dough, make sure to use ingredients with little juice so the crust won't have issues when loading the oven, and make sure to use flour because it helps everything not stick. The size and portability of this oven make it a game-changer when tailgating and family parties." —Panther512 Promising review: "I love this so much! I just built it, so I'm not sure if I will get any inhabitants or not, but that's okay because it’s SO CUTE. Took a little brain power to put together cause the pieces aren’t labeled, but it’s (clearly) do-able and a fun little project regardless. The little details are so fun, and it is very well-made. Highly recommend!" —Lauren Woods Get it from One Man One Garage on Etsy for $27+ (available in seven colors or a natural finish you can color yourself, and two sizes). Just fill these with a sugar-water mixture (one part sugar to four parts water) and watch the local hummingbird community flock to your backyard for an afternoon treat. Copper Hummingbird is an Etsy shop run by Nancy Higgins. In 2006, she invented a bee-proof, drip-free hummingbird feeder for use in the hummingbird aviary at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson, Arizona where she was a zookeeper for 22 years! After receiving so many non-zookeeper requests for her feeders she decided to open up a public-facing shop. Promising review: "I love these feeders, nice weight, and quality craftsmanship. Arrived quick and packaged nice. Highly recommend these feeders. Easy to keep the nectar fresh given the size, which is perfect." —Linda Victory Get it from Copper Hummingbird on Etsy for $34.50. Promising review: "Spendy, but hey, if you have the $! Getting them added a very nice touch to our backyard. We are renting our townhouse, so I didn’t want to do too much back there, but these are perfect! We have gotten so many compliments. Also, a perk: We reside in Portland, Oregon, where it rains cats and dogs, so they are durable for sure!" —Tally Get 10 square feet of tiles from Amazon for $77.48. The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity. * Things To Make Any Closet In Your House, Well, Better * Easy Ways To Help Make Your Backyard The Best On The Block * Spend A Little, Get A Lot: Home Upgrades That Won't Break Your Budget * Things To Make Your Rental Kitchen Feel More Like A Custom Job * Tips For Hiding All The Parts Of Your Home That Make You Go "Ugh" When You See 'Em * Products That’ll Make Your Home A Dream Home, Even If You Have Zero DIY Skills * Easy Upgrades For Anyone Who Spends A *Lot* Of Time In Their Home Office * These Cozy Finds Will Basically Turn Your Home Into One Big Hug Plus, finds from Article, Etsy, Ikea, Urban Outfitters, Walmart, and Wayfair. BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way. Jenae Sitzes is a shopping editor with over a decade of experience working in online media. These days, she covers everything from affordable beauty and unique home finds to genius pet products, and she's constantly saving interesting finds on TikTok (in *very* organized folders, mind you) to share with BuzzFeed readers. Previously, she was a senior commerce editor at GameSpot covering video games, tech, and entertainment.
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