41 Easy Ways To Help Make Your Backyard The Best On The Block

Available in seven colors and five sizes.

Promising review:

“Love this rug. These were recommended by a friend for use on my outdoor patio. They are terrific. So easy to clean and no matter what the weather brings, they always look fantastic. And they make my outdoors look like a living room. Great, inexpensive way to spruce up a backyard.” —Miami

This listing is for 10-square feet.

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!” —Adazzle

This is for 18 composite pieces.

Promising review:

“I have been looking for fencing to keep skunks out of my ‘patio pond’….this fit the size, is good quality and is ‘flexible’ enough to bend around corners. Problems with the way they attach to each other but that seems to be common to these types of fencing. The manufacturer should look into some sort of clips to keep the pieces connected……decent price for as many as I got!” —Roseann from Dayton, OH

Reviewers note that you should remove the bulbs before stringing up the strands and then install the bulbs. Available in three styles and lengths.

Promising review: “These lights were perfect for my patio, I’ve recieved plenty of compliments so far. The Edison light bulbs and beautiful and offer the perfect amount of lighting for any occasion…the clips were ideal for my eaves, the overhang of the roof, which made for simple installation…now just need to find a dimmer capable of handling the required wattage and the package will be complete.” —Brody Vins

This comes in a pack of six.

Promising review:

“Impressed with the size of the cell which provides a larger surface area for charging. The lights are the brightest I’ve seen for a solar light and the illumination covers a nice range. Placed them along my pond giving the place a classy look.” —Percussionist

Also check out a similar shed in several sizes to find the right one to fit your space and needs.

Promising review:

“Good quality. Easy to assemble. Parts are individually bagged and labeled. Holds two 32-gallon round barrels — which is what I wanted it for. Very compact, which was a factor for where i had to put it.” —Joe in Brooklyn

This listing is for 350 balloons, available in three color combos.

Promising review:

“My family has had a blast with these this summer. Easy to fill up to get the fun started! Just make sure to make all players agree to the yard pickup afterwards, but it’s worth it!” —Momof3

Mama Love Boutique is a Sellersville, Pennsylvania-based shop that specializes in these balloons and knit hats. This is for a 12-pack, available in three color combos.

These water balloons are handmade with a chenille-like yarn, which means they’re soft, absorbent, and a great alternative to wasteful plastic single-use water balloons.

Promising review: “Got them, opened them, used them in the same day. I have two boys with LOTS of energy and they had so much fun pummeling me with these water ‘balloons’ 🤣 and I had fun throwing them right back. Not just for kids. Very well made. So happy with this purchase!” —Carley Campbell

Several reviewers shared that this little pool kept their kids engaged for hours.

Promising review: “My kids love this. It is soo easy to plug the hose into and turn the water on and the kids can have hours of fun. Once the kids are done playing, I disconnect the hose let the water drain, and hang it over the porch.” —Austin

But really though, why isn’t every grill equipped with these from the factory?

Promising review: “This was a surprise for my husband. He loves them. The lights are nice and bright and make grilling those last few things that didn’t get finished before dark hot. He’s also used them early in the morning when he’s setting the smoker up before dawn. He’s happy and finding them very useful. He especially loves the magnet on bottom so he can hang them off of so many things while he’s busy and he can use the flexibility to shine them where he needs them. Very awesome and easy to use.” —Holly Gomez

Promising review: “Couldn’t be easier to use really. I tested it with ice water and boiling water and it seems to be pretty accurate. I’ve already cooked some steaks using it and they came out perfect. Plan to use it a lot with my smoker and expect good results there too. I love that it has the magnets so I can stick on the fridge, the grill or the smoker and it’s always handy. And you really can’t beat the price at under $10!” —FCC

Get a set of six, or get a set made for stemmed wine glasses here.

Promising review:

“As always, my order was shipped quickly and in perfect condition. I love the bright colors and they are talk and sturdy. They are perfect for bottles, cabs, and cups… Not so good with stemmed wine glasses! No problem: I just ordered silicone stemless wine glasses!” —LaDonna Clark

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! This is available in two shades of gray.

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.” —RLB

Promising review: “Great product! I did my entire fence line with the 15 degree nozzle and it blasted off 15 years of mold and sun fading with ease… Definitely recommend! Next up the driveway…” —Trent

Note that this includes just the umbrella, not the table! Available in 11 color combos.

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 Williams

Brickwood Ovens is a Lynden, Washington-based shop that sells downloadable pizza oven plans for less than a buck, along with this form! With this form you can build the base and oven in just three weekends (or less). And it looks great with any color of fire brick. This listing is for the plans for the oven.

This is a 94-inch X 39-inch roll.

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

This is available in six colors.

Promising review:

“The only problem I have with this chair is: I only have one of them and the whole family now fights over it! Seriously, it is THAT comfortable and relaxing. Pretty easy to put together, my husband got it all assembled in less than an hour and then proceeded to open up a beer and fall asleep in it next to the pool, HA! I like to take my laptop out with me and work in it as the moveable umbrella shades my screen. Love love LOVE it!!” —Erin S

Get eight flowers (between two bunches).

Promising review:

“The pictures don’t do these justice. At night my backyard looks like a scene from Avatar. The light itself is not bright, but the colors are very vibrant and intense. The color transition is gradual and glowing. They are hypnotic to watch. During the day they are unobtrusive and don’t look too fake or artificial. The green leaves are very bendable, the stems of the flowers are somewhat pliable, and the cloth that makes up the petals can be smoothed and manipulated a bit so you can make them look different and more realistic. I’ve had them for a couple of weeks and so far they are performing perfectly. They are simply beautiful and we love them!” —Zavanna

Lots of reviewers actually bought this to use as a Christmas tree! Available in three heights.

Promising review: “The palm tree was a perfect addition to our backyard patio! We like it very much. Everything about it works great.” —James Poppe

FYI, this includes a spreader bar for easy setup and can hold up to 450 lbs. This is available in 23 colors.

Promising review: “This hammock is much more comfortable than any of those that we’ve had in the past. It looks great in the yard and is very comfortable and soft.” —D

Promising review: “Very pretty, and comes with a cover. Delivery was easy and no damage.” —Tara

Available in five color combos.

Promising review: “These roasting sticks will get the job done. They retract easily and will be perfect for light use (roasting marshmallows) with our fire pit. Not extremely sturdy but not flimsy either. The metal points are not sharp which is a good thing if kids are handling them. I like the storage pouch it comes with too.” —Sheri J. O

Get two bags, one original and one chocolate-on-chocolate.

Promising review:

“A friend had come across these once when they had gone camping for making smores. I thought that they would be great for our ‘camping’ that we have done during our lockdowns. They make the smores making experience so much easier. I love how the chocolate gets all warm too.

I have been brave and even tried some of their recipes for other uses for the marshmallows like making hot chocolate for the chocolate/chocolate ones. Super yummy, just make sure to cut them in half and that your milk is very warm before adding them.” —MG.

Get the full tutorial on Oh So Lovely and the hardware from Amazon, available in two finishes.

It’s just ready and waiting for a vine you can train to climb it! Available in two colors.

Promising review: “Five stars. Easy assembly, lightweight yet sturdy, used outside on a freshly made patio! Added ivy and solar lights along with solar fireflies! The stakes for these are super strong and easy to put into the ground. This set up with a turtle fountain, solar accent lighting, some plants, a chiminae, and the fencing for covering the garbage bins has the neighbors stopping by with envy!” —Dena

Available in six sizes and 13 colors.

Promising review:

“My pool is awesome when it gets into the hundreds of degrees here in California. We decided to grab a 20x20x20 triangle and holy cow does it do a number on the backyard! Not only does it keep my pool better-shaded, but it also keeps the sun off of my back patio during the hottest part of the day.” —Amazon Customer

Plus it isn’t inflatable like other little pools, so you don’t have to worry about your dog puncturing it. And while we’re on the subject, check out hot weather pet tips from the ASPCA. Available in three sizes.

Promising review: “The perfect size for our golden retriever (80 lbs). Easy to open, unfold, fill up, and put away! Very happy I selected this model and size when searching for a pool for him.” —Katy Ryan

This is for sets of two and four chairs, in four colors.

Promising review:

“In love with my new chairs. Strong enough for outdoor.” —Alene

Promising review: “It works! Windy here so I just put a heavy decorative rock to keep it in place. Yes, you should buy this… and buy the little solar fountain too :)” —Amazon Customer