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For when your outdoor space needs less doom, more bloom.

Everything gets a little grimy, a little overgrown, and a little too committed to looking abandoned. But with the right lineup of helpers, you can pressure wash away the funk, yank out the weeds, add some glow(ing solar lights), set up an outdoor couch and some outdoor games, and get your patio or yard back to being a place you actually want to spend time. 

Promising review: "I went in skeptical, I'm not going to lie. We had grease spilled on our brand-new paver patio. The grease had been sitting for a few weeks, and I saw an ad for this stuff. I ordered it to try because why not? Well, I'll be damned because this took the spots right off! No evidence we ever spilled anything! I'd buy it again." —Susan

Promising review: "This solar moon outdoor stake is so pretty and super easy to put together! I love the crackle design on the globe — it adds so many cool shadows to my yard. The light is nice and bright, lasts all night (around 8–10 hours), and still works great even after it rains. I’m really happy with it — definitely worth it if you want something cute to show off in your yard." —Tory

Promising review: "These long garden gloves are perfect for working with thorny plants. The extended length covers your forearms, making it easy to reach deep into bushes or trees without getting scratched. They’ve been especially great for picking fruit from the back of my lemon tree. Durable, comfortable, and very practical." —Murphy

Get it from Amazon for $16.80+ (available in five sizes and 19 colors).

The kit has space for up to 72 seedlings in cells measuring 1.5" x 1.5" x 2" each. Entire tray is 10" x 20" x 5". Recommended for use with a heat mat to promote germination. Once sprouts emerge, use a plant grow light or place near a well-lit window.

Promising review: "As an avid gardener, I've found this kit to be an essential tool for starting seeds and nurturing young plants before transplanting them into the garden. Each cell is sturdy and well-designed, ensuring proper airflow and drainage to promote healthy root development. The included greenhouse dome helps retain moisture and warmth, promoting optimal germination and seedling growth. Incredibly user-friendly, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced gardeners alike. The included growing medium is pre-fertilized and ready to use, eliminating the need for additional soil amendments and saving time during the planting process. Highly recommend." —Blondie16

Promising review: "I couldn’t be happier with this. The built-in grow light is bright and perfectly positioned, so my seedlings don’t get leggy or weak. The adjustable height feature makes a huge difference as the plants grow — no need to constantly move trays around. The humidity dome keeps moisture consistent, and germination has been noticeably faster compared to my old basic trays. Everything feels sturdy and well designed, not flimsy like some other seed starters I’ve tried. It’s perfect for starting vegetables, herbs, and flowers indoors before transplanting outside. If you’re serious about getting strong, healthy seedlings, this is absolutely worth it." —A. Kanawati

Get it from Amazon for $85.97 (originally $109.97; be sure to clip the coupon to activate the lower price).

Pro tip: Many local libraries are participating in the seed library movement, offering free seeds to community members for gardening. Check your local library to see if libraries near you have one. 

Organo Republic is a small business that sells seeds. 

Each pack includes 1,300+ seeds consisting of zucchini, eggplant, beet, pumpkin, butternut squash, cabbage, bok choy, cauliflower, broccoli, rapini rabe, celery, cucumber, kohlrabi, radish, bell pepper, cayenne pepper, okra, Brussels sprout, beefsteak tomato, and cherry tomato.

Promising review: "I purchased it for my mother as a gift, and I absolutely love the product. Huge variety and very affordable price! The package looks great, and each seed bag is individually labeled along with a QR that takes you directly to all the information you need pertaining to that type of vegetable. Love it." —V. G

Promising review: "I sprinkled it on my lawn expecting the usual patchy disappointment. Next thing I know, my yard is looking like it belongs on the cover of Better Homes & Gardens. The neighbors suddenly started waving at me, dogs come by just to roll in it, and I’m pretty sure my mailman lingers just to admire the turf. It grew so fast I half expected it to start paying rent. 10/10 would recommend — unless you like being the only person on the block without a golf course in front of your house." —Kayla Mom 

Get it from Amazon for $14.97+ (available in five sizes). 

Promising review: "I live near water and have animals = I get bugs. With one of these placed at each of my doors or windows outside = I get no flying bugs inside. Finally. During winter, truly, no flies inside. During summer, an occasional fly/mosquito slips through the circumference. Overall, it saved me one summer when we were getting 10 mosquito bites a day. After I started using this, no mosquito bites! (Dogs do not even notice its existence)." —Christine D.

Get it from Amazon for $37.99+ (available in six styles).

Promising review: "Whoever invented this, I humbly bless you! This tool has saved my back! Before, I had been using the leaf grabber hand mitts, which grabbed a great deal of leaves, but the constant bending to pick the piles up left me sore for days afterward. The tool's weight is light and easy to manage. This was a great purchase for sure!" —Remybuxaplenty

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 woven with wire that look shabby and horrible. These are a wonderful quality for the price, making 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, so they work great to give some sense of separation and privacy." —Lauren S.

Get it from Amazon for $44.99+ (available in four sizes).

Promising review: "This is a great product for any outdoor space. It provides extra privacy whilst adding beauty to my balcony. The leaves were all intact, and it was easy to install with the zip ties that came in the box. The fence has been stable, never falling down nor loosening its grip. During rain, I've never experienced the leaves coming off/apart. If you're looking to spice up your outdoor area with faux greenery, this product is a great quality fence and highly recommend!" —C.C. 

Tougher stains could take several months to go away, and if needed, you can re-spray 1–2 months after the first application. 

Promising review: "I have a brick patio. When I bought this house, it was covered, and I mean covered with moss. A good power wash each spring was never enough to stop the moss from returning, and month after month during the summers was a struggle, man vs plant. I did that for two years, cursing and complaining the whole time. This April, I did my spring power wash as usual and immediately treated this patio. It is now going into August, and I have not had even a wisp of moss this year — I mean nothing! I would recommend this product without any reservations. When you put it on, you may think to yourself that it doesn't look like you really did much. It dries quickly and looks the same as it did before, but wow, does it do exactly what it says it will do." —PM in NH

Promising review: "We have three giant oak trees, about 60-70 years old. Back in May of 2022, we noticed one of them looked very scraggly and wasn't putting out leaves like the others. So we used these spikes on May 19, 2022, and a year later, on May 19, 2023, the difference is amazing. It's actually looking better than our other two now (and it's now Sept 2024), so we are going to use the spikes on our other two giant oaks this season. Totally impressed!" —V M T R

Get it from Amazon for $12.36+ (available in tree and shrub or fruit and citrus packs (or both!)).

Promising review: "I used this Gloss White to paint an old garden arch, gate and a trellis over a garden bench. It was just a dreary, tired black; the white changed the look and feel instantly. Definitely get the trigger grip accessory if your project takes more than one can — mine was eight cans and that grip was a great idea. The paint is a true bright white with a bit of a shine after it dries. I did have to do two full coats to completely cover the original black wrought iron, but there's no color bleed through as a result." —Dogs & Horses

Get it from Amazon for $10.25+ (available in a variety of finishes, colors, and quantities).

Promising review: "I bought this Rachio 3 because I need remote control of my irrigation system. I did research, and Rachio 3 came to the top of the list. My old one is Hunter, which is ok, but not Wi-Fi controllable. Plus, it is hard to schedule different watering schedules at the same time. The Rachio 3 is really smart and very user-friendly. It will skip the water day if rainfall is in the forecast. I wish I had bought this unit years ago." —Turning Point

Get it from Amazon for $199+ (available in two styles).

Note: The umbrella stand is not included, but this is a good one if you need one.

Promising review: "This umbrella was perfect and met my needs. I live in a condo and needed a way to shade the balcony from the intense morning sun. This worked really well. The crank works well, and the tilt is easy to do." —Danielle

Get it from Amazon for $35.74+ (available in 15 colors and patterns).

Note: It has three different brightness settings and requires AA batteries.

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

There is also a matching curved walkway, if you need one! 

Promising review: "I went back and forth deciding whether I wanted to buy this. I was going to build my own walkway, but the labor involved and the price were more than I wanted to pay. So, this option looked appealing and some of the reviews were not positive. But, I absolutely love this walkway, and I’ve had it for well over a month now. It still looks like I just purchased it. I live in Florida, so the weather is very harsh with heavy rains and extreme heat. This walkway has held up fine." —Jntqnn

Get it from Amazon for $44.99+ (available in three lengths). 

Promising review: "This washer was easy to set up and operate. I bought it to pressure wash the railings on my back patio, but once I saw how well it worked, I ended up doing my patio furniture, stone patio, steps, a stone wall, garage doors, and one side of my house. It took several hours to do all that, but it was really satisfying. Some of it was seven years' worth of grime, and some was only two years. This machine handled it all. I plan to do it all once a year to keep it looking great." —nylon21

Get it from Amazon for $129+ (available in two models).

This weatherproof fan has a fully sealed and permanently lubricated industrial motor to protect it against wetness.

Promising review: "Excellent fan. Blows strongly and is of great quality. Perfect for our patio, with and easy pull string for operation. Took less than five minutes to install on my pergola and allows us to enjoy our outdoor space longer. This is the second time I’ve purchased this fan because the first one I purchased a few years ago has held up so well in the outdoor Texas weather, and I’ve had no issues with it, so now I have two fans outside." —Ryan pond

Get it from Amazon for $119.95+ (available in two sizes).

Promising review: "I have two strings of this for my rooftop. They work so well and are so lovely. The dimming option is perfect, as these can be real bright." —Cinema4

Get 100 feet of string lights from Amazon for $46.99.

Promising review: "I am pleased with this product so far. The cushions are comfy and it's a good height for sitting. Assembly was easy and didn't take long. I can't wait to enjoy more days on my porch with this set." —Kathrin Kimmons

Get it from Amazon for $129.99+ (available in four cushion colors).

Promising review: "It's really easy to cut the trees. Took me only five minutes to cut half of the branches off the tree, so happy with this purchase." —VR

Get it from Amazon for $26.98 (available in five styles).

Promising review: "Great product! Very strong design. Managed to cut three 10cm diameter (4 inches) branches about 6m high (19ft), without much trouble. The weight of the pole helps do the sawing, so you don't need much strength, except to lift the pole vertically. The saw went through the branches easily. Less than three minutes for each one. Would definitely recommend it to anyone." —Alexandre Mendes

Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in four lengths).

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 fared well in winds, thunderstorms, monsoon rain, and the brutal heat of Vegas. Shade is wonderful, and one can definitely feel the temperature difference from full sun to being under this sail. The look and feel complements our pool area and will certainly be purchasing an additional one." —VHC Media

Get it from Amazon for $21.99+ (available in a variety of sizes and 16 colors/patterns).

Promising reviews: "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

"Bought these in 2016, and with one application of teak oil per year, they still look great in 2023. They have been subjected to full weather for 7 years and still look amazing. Lightly power wash them once a year to remove grime, takes about 30 min." —Z

Get 10 square feet from Amazon for $77.48.

Promising review: "Bought this to keep the raccoons out since they tear everything apart and make a great mess. Now that I’ve assembled this and am using it, the raccoons would have to be Houdini to get inside. It fits two 40-gallon trash cans nicely. Very sturdy construction. Although it is large, I easily moved it into place. I also like the way it looks." —BAW7

Get it from Amazon for $228.78+ (available in six styles). 

Grampa's Gardenware Co. is a family-owned small business based in Oregon that makes gardening tools.

Promising review: "Oh my god, I friggin' love this tool. I bought this on a whim, given that 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

Garden Guru is a small business that sells lawn and garden tools.

After moving to the East Coast, I quickly learned that the stone pathways around my home are basically a spa retreat for moss and weeds. The cracks collect moisture, trap organic debris, and offer *just* enough shelter to help unwanted greenery flourish, especially with all the shade and rain we get. I didn't want my outdoor space to turn into a jungle, so I grabbed this tool and got to work. It's weirdly satisfying — kind of like flossing, but for your stone paths. The bent tip slides right into the cracks and pulls weeds out from the root, which helps keep them from coming back anytime soon. I've used it on my pathways, driveway, and anywhere else something tries to sprout where it shouldn't. The handle is comfortable, and it doesn't take much effort to use. It's quickly becoming one of my favorites. If you've got hardscaping, you need this in your toolkit. 

Promising review: "As the sun sets and the evening breeze gently rustles through your garden, these lights come to life, casting a warm, enchanting glow that transforms your outdoor space into a magical haven." —April

Get it from Amazon for $13.98+ (available in six pack sizes).

Promising review: "These plant supports each consist of two semi-circles that fit together to encircle the plant. I have two snake plants that are getting taller and need support. These plant stakes are working perfectly. They can easily be inserted into the soil to the desired height, and the green color obscures their appearance. My plants look prettier and stronger now that they are standing tall." —A.Consumer

Promising review: "This faux-mulch border was just what I was looking for. I wanted something simple (not elaborate) to keep my bark in place. It looks good and now I need to order more : )" —Eva

Get a 1'' H X 120'' W X 4.5'' D roll from Wayfair for $34.95 (also available in a tree ring).

SWOOC is a small business based in Florida that makes outdoor games. 

Promising review: "This Giant Tower Game is great for family game night, outdoor activities, and picnics/parties! The blocks of wood are beautifully cut and stained, and store neatly in the equally beautiful crate that also serves as the game base. The game is fun to play, and can easily reach the three-foot height as the game nears an end. My only word of caution is to wear shoes and watch out for tiny feet when the blocks fall, since they are sturdy and durable. If you have kids, the game doubles as a really cool building blocks set, too! This game would make a great gift for anyone who loves games or loves to host parties!" —LexieLooDylan2

Swooc Games is a small business specializing in game sets, many of which are outdoor-safe.

Promising review: "Our family loves Yahtzee, but Yardzee was so much more fun! It is like a giant life-size game. It was so much fun to play outside as a family. We had ages 7–65 playing and enjoying the game. As a homeschooler, I also love that it sneaks in math and writing." —The Waldock Way

Get them from Amazon for $59.99+ (available in two dice sizes).

Promising reviews: "This product is amazing! I used it one time, and it got the job done. There is a space in my window that is poor fitting and allows condensation. I would highly recommend this product." —Savi

"It rains almost every day during the summer in Florida. By the end of summer, my cool deck was green with mold around the perimeter. I was about to pay to have someone power wash my deck but found RMR-86 on Amazon. I purchased a bottle and sprayed all the areas that had mold and mildew. RMR-86 started working within minutes, right before my eyes. It was like magic! I'm definitely getting more." —Marie Moore

Get a pack of two from Amazon for $25.99+ (available in four sizes).

Backyard Expressions is a family-owned small business in Huntington Beach, California that sells outdoor furniture and decor. 

Promising review: "This was easy to use. The wood is rustic and what I would call a carpenter's cut (rough cut). Easy to assemble. Great conversation starter." —Paul H.

Get it from Amazon for $73.79+ (available in two styles).

Promising review: "I couldn’t be happier with this cart. It’s really sturdy, good quality, and it holds so much weight! I have used it to carry XL ceramic pots, pathway stones of 250+ pounds, and more. It’s a bit of a pain to put together, and we ended up needing power tools. Love it and recommend it 100%." —Camila L

Get it from Amazon for $119.99+ (available in five colors).

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* Tips For Hiding All The Parts Of Your Home That Make You Go "Ugh" When You See 'Em

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* 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.

This piece is by Sally Elshorafa, the Home and Garden Editor at BuzzFeed Shopping, who’s written hundreds of stories about furniture, decor, cleaning, gardening, and home upgrades, all with one goal: to sift through the nonsense and surface what’s actually worth your money.

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.