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1. Blast away all the caked-up mud, dirt, and dust on your deck, patio furniture, fences, rugs, and more using a good-quality pressure washer so you can rediscover what your outdoor surfaces *actually* look like.
2. And pick up some bleach-free OxiClean outdoor cleaner to wash away layers of dirt, grime, and mildew buildup around your backyard and patio. It's super concentrated, so dilute with water as needed, then pair with a pressure washer, a scrubber, or another tool to get the job done. Though heavy-duty, it doesn't contain residual chemicals, and you won't choke on any harsh fumes.
The above before and after photos show one reviewer's teak end tables from a patio set after using the OxiClean outdoor cleaner.
Promising review: "The product exceeded my expectations! I was able to get a dingy and ill-maintained backyard porch of our recently purchased home cleaned and looking like new right before my stepdaughter's big birthday party! My only wish is that I would’ve taken before and after photos to show the drastic change in appearance! Will definitely purchase additional bottles for future cleaning maintenance for the rest of our home!!" —Keith Galloway
Get a two-pack from Amazon for $19.99 (available in multiple sizes and in spray form).
3. Address the dirt patches in your backyard caused by pet damage with a dog spot repair solution, which is made from a combo of mulch, seeds, and soil designed to help healthy grass regrow in no time.
4. Set up a high-voltage insect zapper near the grill, patio, fire pit, or wherever people will be hanging out the most in your backyard. It eliminates mosquitoes, gnats, flies, and other bugs with wings that are undeniably the worst part of lounging around outside.
It has a range of up to 1,500 square feet!
Promising review: "This amazing pest zapper is so good that I bought five of them. I have one in the house, one in the backyard, and one in the front entry way. I have them on a smart timer so they can automatically turn on at sunset and turn off at 10 p.m. I thought they were so awesome that I bought one for each of my children. This was definitely an excellent investment." —Malcolm E Wong
Get it from Amazon for $39.95.
5. Make sure you have some nice seating that you and your BFF can park yourselves in while catching up over a drink. You can pair this chic outdoor patio set with a nice rug, some pouf footstools, and some boho-style pillows to really cozy it up and draw the space together.
6. Pick up some outdoor-themed decorative throw pillow covers that can go right over those boring pillows currently being used outside. They'll really help tie your outdoor furniture in with the green surroundings and make it an even cozier place to hang out.
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 22x22 inserts for 20x20 covers).
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 20x20 covers from Amazon for $19.99 (available in three sizes and 21 designs).
7. And draw your patio furniture together visually with a durable, fast-drying outdoor area rug that can withstand storms and other wear and tear. It brings the whole look of your decor together and makes your patio feel like a cozy oasis.
8. String up some waterproof globe lights so your outdoor gatherings can continue long into the night. Hang them along your roofline, drape them on outdoor structures, or just string them up solo to give your backyard the most magical vibe.
9. And place solar-powered mason jar lights around your backyard — on tables, along fences and railings, or on stair steps — to liven up evenings and make you nostalgic for nights spent catching fireflies as a kid.
Since these are solar-powered, you'll need to place them in the sun to get them to light up. Six 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 AAA battery if you'd rather power them up without the sun.
Promising review: "Absolutely love these lights. I bought these about five years ago and they were very loved, so I upgraded and bought more this year. They add such whimsy to your garden and beautiful ambiance. I love that they're solar-powered. I will definitely recommend getting these." —folse1
Get an eight-pack from Amazon for $21.99+ (available in five colors).
10. Set up an area for s'mores, late-night chats, and star-gazing around a cosmic-themed firepit, complete with moons and stars etched into the sides. Cozy ambiance, here we come.
11. Instead of pulling out your mismatched assortment of camping chairs, invest in some classic, comfortable, weather-resistant Adirondack chairs. They're made of a plastic material that looks like real wood but is resistant to rot — a good thing since you'll want to just leave them outside parked by the firepit.
12. And pick up an outdoor drink stakes set if your backyard chairs don't have cup holders — they'll keep your cold drink secure when you need to get up and walk away, and the different colors will help everyone keep track of which one is theirs.
13. Hang a sturdy, colorful tree swing — you can tell others it's for the kids, but when they're not around, you might just find yourself kicking back and gently swaying under the trees for a moment of peace and solitude. It's weather-resistant and can hold up to 900 pounds!
Promising reviews: "This swing is so worth it! I recently bought my first house and bought this for my nieces/nephews. Not only do the kiddos love it, but so do us adults!!! I’m about 130 pounds and have sat on it with my nieces and swung with no problem. My fiance and dad have both sat on it as well. It’s very sturdy. Easy to put together. It will keep your household entertained anytime you go outside." —Angelina
"Fun for grownups, too! We purchased this for our little grandchildren to enjoy and then discovered that with the high load capacity, we could swing with them, too! The product is sturdy and easy to assemble, hang, and adjust the lengths of the ropes. It’s a great addition to our front yard and immediately became a neighborhood kid magnet, too!" —Richard S
Get it from Amazon for $39.99.
14. Shade is a *must*, so add some cover to your hangout spot with a lighted umbrella that'll also help illuminate the area when the sun goes down. No more squinting and shielding your eyes while you're just trying to have a conversation.
15. Or hang a sunshade triangle to block the sun while still letting the breeze pass through. It's a little less bulky and more out of your way than an umbrella, especially if you don't have a good table for mounting.
16. Shield your yard from the view of your neighbor's messy backyard by placing faux ivy along a fence. It also enhances the beauty of the whole area and makes it feel a bit more natural.
You can also line the top of a pergola with these vines for some shade, letting a bit of dappled sunlight pass through for gorgeous effect.
17. Hang a hammock chair that everyone will be fighting to sit in during bonfires and cookouts. The cotton rope hammock style adds lovely boho vibes and is so comfy, you'll want to park yourself in it with a good book and cold drink on nice days.
18. Place a tall table-cooler combo in the fire pit area, by the pool, or wherever people are hanging out so no one has to walk allll the way into the house for another beer. It also gives you another place to put food, drinks, and s'mores supplies on top!
19. Hang a discreet pair of waterproof, LED-lit Bluetooth speakers around your firepit, patio, or table so whoever's DJ-ing can control the tunes right from their phone and keep the party going all night long. And because there's two of them, you can position them on opposite sides for a ~surround sound~ effect.
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 $119.98 when you clip the $30 off coupon (available with white lights or rainbow lights).
20. Secure a pair of flexible magnetic lights to your grill, and you'll be able to keep the crowd well-fed even after the sun's gone down. Nothing better than enjoying some kebabs by the light of a flickering fire.
21. Place colorful outdoor inflatable ottomans by the pool, on your patio, or in the garden for not only chic decor, but also places to sit or rest your feet. They can withstand over 500 hours of direct sunlight without fading!
22. Pick up a set of color-changing inflatable pool balls for when the sun goes down but no one's ready to get out of the pool. They're completely waterproof and solar-powered (lasting about eight hours on one charge), and you could even hang them from the trees for a magical forest vibe.
Each light cycles through red, blue, white, and green.
Promising review: "My pool is so old school and boring that I bought these to liven it up, and what a difference!! My pool went from 'meh' to WOW! The balls are easily inflated by mouth like a beach ball. Once inflated, a few hours in the sun, and they are charged and ready to go. They light up after dusk (it has to be rather dark). There is no manual way to power them on or off; they glow all night long. The changing colors are vibrant and very beautiful. They have a loop at the top if you would like to hang them. They would be magical hanging in a tree or from a pergola. I really liked how easy these were to fill and charge, and I like the solar power and the amazing color display. They make my inner child happy." —J. Matheson
Get a set of four from Amazon for $54.99 when you clip the coupon for $15 off.
23. Eliminate the weeds taking over your pathways, garden beds, and brickwork with a super concentrated weed and grass killer — just spray them down and walk away. They'll start wilting within hours and completely die within 1–2 weeks.
24. Or if you'd rather steer clear of chemicals, try a crack weeder tool to show those mischievous weeds growing in through cracks in your sidewalk, patio, and driveway who's boss. Its L-shaped head and ergonomic handle make it easier to reach into those tight spaces and pull out weeds at the root so they don't come back.
Promising review: "I've been searching for something to remove the weeds for a while and came across this amazing tool. Since I refuse to use chemicals in my yard, I've been left with scraped knuckles every time I attempt to remove weeds. The weeds have grown so tightly in the concrete cracks that I pretty much gave up; even weed-whacking it didn't help much. Yes, you do have to use a little bit of effort, but the end result was so worth it!" —Shelley Arakaki
Get it from Amazon for $22.95.
25. Don't have the space for a full-on garden? Scatter potted plants around to liven up your backyard with some greenery so it still feels like a peaceful oasis. Opt for plants of different heights and sizes for visual interest!
26. And hang some of your greenery so your yard really feels like a tropical getaway. These 10-inch speckled hanging planters would really ~elevate~ the look of your backyard patio and let your precious succulents or hanging plants thrive.
27. Make your flowerbed pop with some solar-powered light-up flowers that'll come on as the sun goes down, transforming your yard and garden into a whimsical fairyland. You can mix them in with your real flowers, or if you don't have an actual flowerbed, stick them into the ground.
28. Or place solar-powered garden lights that look like little fireflies so you can enjoy your gorgeous flowers and landscaping at night as well as during the day.
Promising review: "I am totally obsessed with these lights. I bought my first set and had them for about a week and couldn’t get over how lovely they were. So, I have now purchased two more sets. They light up my flowers and azalea bushes beautifully. They have a lovely orange glow like little fireflies." —A Lombardo
Get a two-pack from Amazon for $16.98 (available as a four- or six-pack).
29. If you're constantly planning your next vacation, channel some of that tropical ambiance into your own backyard with a light-up palm tree, because one can never have too much funky lighting!
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 $67.99+ (available in six heights, a solar-powered version, and a two-pack).
30. Throw some color onto your fences, railings, and trellises with a rainbow collection of flower pots. These cheery pots will give your backyard a welcoming feel, but they're just as practical for your plants, with draining holes and hooks so they're easy to water and hang.
32. Mount an outdoor fan, because keeping the air circulating won't just keep things cool; it'll also help cut down on the bugs that linger while you're outside trying to enjoy the fresh air.
33. Create the ultimate relaxation zone with an inflatable hot tub, because if you've never sat in a hot tub on a clear night with a chilled drink, you're missing out. It'll give your yard some of that luxurious spa energy without shelling out thousands — or committing to have an actual giant hot tub in your backyard year-round.
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.
Check it out in this TikTok.
Promising review: "I was skeptical about buying an inflatable hot tub, but my sister has wanted one forever. After researching many varieties, we ended up purchasing this. I am amazed at how well it works. I have had it for several months now and it is still working perfectly. The lining is thick and sturdy, and supports your back. It is easy to get in and out of. The cushioned bottom is more comfy than I expected. It holds heat well, we like it at 104 and it stays between 102 and 104 while in use in a 40 to 60 degree environment. The bubbles are plentiful and relaxing and strong. I thought setup was quite easy, filters are easy to change and water chemical balance is easy to maintain. Five out of five stars. Get it!" —Kristine
Get it from Amazon for $489.99+ (available in two colors).
34. If you're tired of getting eaten alive when you're just trying to catch up with friends and family outside, set up a patio table mosquito net enclosure. No mosquitoes are invited to this get-together! Oh, and you can tie the netting back when it's not needed.
Promising review: “We bought this for a rather large umbrella over our table in the backyard, and used it for the first time last night. We were less concerned about mosquitoes because we have a service to eliminate them — it's the bees that were disturbing our outdoor meals and events. My wife hosted a few friends last night, and they all fell in love with this. They've all been fighting with bees lately, and they were not bothered once by any bugs. Every friend bought the netting on the spot. Also, when you're inside the netting sitting on chairs, it's almost as if the netting is invisible; most of the time, you can't tell whether it's even there, especially at night.” —Sara Olshanky
Get it from Amazon for $38.69+ (available in two styles, including an LED-lit option).
35. Replace your eyesore of an outdoor trash can with a stylish, functional garbage bin that has a latching lid to help protect against harsh weather and hungry critters.
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 $57.19 (available in four colors).
36. Invite the birds to stay a while with a vintage camper birdhouse that'll make your backyard their personal campground (and double as unique retro decor for the trees).
37. Don't forget the hummingbirds! Stick a drip- and bee-proof copper feeder (invented by a former zookeeper!) into your flowerbed to turn your backyard into a local aviary.
38. Lay down interlocking teak tiles to cover a surface that has seen better days. Durable and weatherproof, they'll instantly kick your backyard aesthetic up a notch and make it look sharp and put together.
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 $81.98.
39. Upgrade your garden area with a classic, easy-to-install trellis that'll draw everyone's eye. It's made of vinyl and won't rot, crack, rust, or discolor, making it *super* easy to take care of as well.
40. And install some small (just under 1-foot tall!) picket fencing around your garden beds to really make them stand out and look nice. They can also deter kids and dogs from getting into them and ruining your hard work!
41. Set up an outdoor daybed so you can start taking your mid-day naps outside without fear of getting a sunburn. Its retractable canopy keeps you nice and cool — and when you're not taking a snooze, it comes apart into multiple seats with a center table for group hangouts.
42. Or keep it simple with a hammock so comfortable, it has reviewers swearing off their *actual* beds entirely. Pair it with a refreshing drink and a good book, and it'll become your go-to hangout (or snooze) spot on nice days.
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.