27 Things For Your Backyard You’ll Probably Wish You’d Bought Years Ago
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27 Things For Your Backyard You’ll Probably Wish You’d Bought Years AgoLike a charming patio furniture set, a firepit perfect for bonfires, and a super cool tricycle plant holder.
1. A delicious-smelling candle that not only smells great but may just help keep annoying little buggies at bay. Nothing ruins an outdoor meal like a few mosquitoes deciding they want in — except your blood is their dinner.
Anchored Northwest / Etsy
Anchored Northwest is a small biz founded by a husband and wife and based in Spokane, Washington, making the most delicious-smelling candles and room sprays,
Promising review: “Haven’t lit it yet, but the candle smells great! The smell alone is so potent even without lighting it yet, we’ve seen a decrease in mosquitoes just leaving it out!” —Michelle Gulino
Get it from Anchored Northwest on Etsy for $17.50.
2. An inflatable lounge pool for turning hot days into chill ones — all you need now is an icy bev, a good read, and maybe even a fun pool toy!
It’s also got a bench and cup holders!
Promising review: “I have had this pool for about two weeks now, and I LOVE IT!!! It was simple to set up. I got a little electric pump, and it took about 10 minutes to inflate and then about half an hour to fill with water. Pay attention to making sure you set it up on level ground, or it will be lopsided. I live in South Carolina, so it is already hot and humid, and I use it about every afternoon. It is probably good for two adults, maybe one adult, and a couple of kids. The built-in seat and headrest are really quite comfy and relaxing. I will definitely buy this same pool again if it springs a leak and can’t be fixed, if I could give it a 10 stars I would. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!!!” —kathryn j.
Get it from Amazon for $49.50.
3.
A cordless electric lawn mower that’ll make it super simple to keep your yard looking A+.
amazon.com, amazon.com
Promising review: “If this is how easy the electric cars will be, then sign me up. No more going to the gas stations, no struggling to get the lawn mower out of the shed, no more waking up the neighbors — I should get a discount. All my neighbors love it. Even the postman took time to take a look.” —Jazzin Sykes
Get it from Amazon for $299.
4. A charcoal grill perfect for whipping up yummy burgers, steaks, corn, or any other barbecue favorites you enjoy! 😋
Promising review: “Affordable and reliable. Perfect for our backyard. We prefer charcoal to gas, and we’ve cooked about everything under the sun on this bad boy. Easy to assemble. Easy to clean. Exactly what we wanted.” —Marci Manley
Get it from Amazon for $139+ (available with or without a cover).
5. A sundome tent that only takes 10 minutes to set up so you can spend more time enjoying the great outdoors and less time stressing about a bunch of confusing tent parts.
Promising review: “I love Coleman products!!! It’s like affordability and quality had a child and named it Coleman. Sure, there may be better/fancier tents, but this second home of mine has gone through the desert heat (Joshua Tree, Grand Canyon, Zion), snow (June Lake, California), perfect weather (Yosemite, Mammoth Lakes), rain, and it has held up beautifully since 2016. I bought the 6-person tent, and it held true. I love this tent, and I will keep using it until it is no longer usable, a lot of awesome memories with this tent.” —Nunya B.
Get it from Amazon for $85.
6.
A patio firepit because warm weather season = bonfire season. There’s truly nothing better than sitting around a warm light with your loved ones and roasting marshmallows.
amazon.com, amazon.com
Promising review: “We just received our Tiki firepit, and I was immediately impressed with the quality of the craftsmanship. We have been looking for a firepit for our patio, and this one is perfect! The black exterior and copper-colored lining are gorgeous, and I love that it can use pellets or wood logs. It is a nice size, and there was nearly no assembly. The low smoke design and ash pan for easy cleanup was an unexpected bonus. This definitely exceeded our expectations.” —Shari Bitterman
Get it from Amazon for $294.95+ (available in three styles).
7.
And this tabletop glass fireplace if you’re looking for a smaller (and more affordable) option!
1Man1Garage / Etsy
You can order this with or without the sand and rocks. The only things you’ll need to purchase separately are the 2.6-oz. gel fuel cans, which you can get from Amazon.
1Man1Garage is a Nashville-based small biz making gorgeous crafts, gifts, and homewares.
Promising review: “Soooo cute and easy to put together. We bought a clear spray to put on to protect it because we actually really liked the look of the burned side. My boyfriend and I bought it to make s’mores for Valentine’s. It was a perfect night in.” —Bethany Schneider
Get it from 1Man1Garage on Etsy for $20+ (available in three styles).
8.
A giant inflatable unicorn bound to become your new summertime bestie. Who needs a friend to play Marco Polo with when you have this magical fella sailing you around the pool like the royalty you are?!
amazon.com
Promising review: “This floaty is huge! It’s big enough for an adult to lie on and not even touch the water. It doesn’t have a hole in the middle, so it’s super comfortable. My friend’s 5-year-old daughter loved it too! I’ve had it for over a month now, used several times with no issues at all.” —Kelsey
Get it from Amazon for $29.99.
9.
A pack of solar lights so you can keep the outdoor gatherings going beyond when the sun sets.
amazon.com, Amazon
Promising review: “I purchased these to cover the side of my house. Installation was easy, and I left them outside for two days to charge. The light coverage was about what I expected from them, and do the job well. The motion sensitivity covers all the sides, and the lights turn on. It has rained about three times, and it still works great. I’m hoping they last for a long time.” —J. Argueta
Get a set of four from Amazon for $32.99.
10.
A water hose holder because if there’s one thing we can guarantee, it’s that this gorg pot looks a heck of a lot nicer than whatever other storage method you currently have for your water hose.
amazon.com, amazon.com
Promising review: “This arrived in perfect condition because of the expert packing with heavy cardboard molded around it. It’s really well-made. I had a couple of questions, and customer service immediately responded. Definitely worth the price.” —Frieda Bandida
Get it from Amazon for $104.96.
11. A set of outdoor string lights to turn your outdoor space into a magical oasis — vibes upon vibes upon VIBES!
Promising review: “I have these lights hanging outside over my patio. They are very bright but not overly bright like spotlights and are perfect for lighting up the backyard for parties. We keep them up all year long during rainstorms, hot weather, and snowstorms, and they still work like the day I bought them. Highly recommend!” —Joseph
Get it from Amazon for $12.17+ (available in five styles and six sizes).
12.
An adorable little set of colorful flower pots for a lovely way to display some pretty flora.
amazon.com, amazon.com
Promising review: “I love these. They look great on my little patio. They are very well made and super easy to put together. They drain well and hold a fair amount of flowers and soil for the size. I found them to be sturdy, and they seem pretty durable. It’s a really good value for the price, too. I highly recommend it!” —Anonymous
Get a set of 10 from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in three colors).
13.
And a tricycle plant stand if you already own flower pots you love but still want a fun way to display THOSE. You should absolutely add this to your cart right this second.
amazon.com
Promising review: “I bought this for my mother, who’s been an avid gardener for over 30 years. It was specifically a Mother’s Day gift, but it really would be such a wonderful and thoughtful gift for anyone who likes to plant, garden, and accessorize with vintage charm. Its size is about to my knee (I’m 5’6) and VERY sturdy. My mother has it outside on our porch for her herbs. It doesn’t take up much space but can easily be either indoor or outdoor. It’s currently part of her outdoor patio furniture grouping and looks charming. I highly recommend this to anyone looking to bring a little smile to any planter or gardener in your life.” —Jennifer J.
Get it from Amazon for $54.99 (available in two colors and two styles).
14.
A patio furniture set featuring a table and two chairs that’ll provide a lovely place for you to sit and enjoy some sunshine (and maybe a drink or some lunch) with a loved one.
Amazon
The set comes with two chairs and a table, and folds up flat and compact to save space!
Promising review: “This is the greatest bistro set ever. I ordered the mint green and it came exactly as photographed. All three pieces are heavy, stable, and sturdy. Highly recommend!” —Maria Previs
Get it from Amazon for $119.99+ (available in six colors).
15.
A super cute animal decoration to embellish your plant bbs in the most adorable way!
AnotherStudio / Etsy
AnotherStudio is a London-based small biz making the most delightful gifts that any plant lover would be thrilled to receive.
Promising review: “Amazing quality! Looks just like the pictures. Perfect detail for my plants. Makes the perfect gift for plant lovers!” —Melanie Soto
Get it from AnotherStudio on Etsy for $9.27 (available in various animal designs).
16.
A set of lounge chairs you can enjoy in your own yard or bring on the go to the park or the beach. It’s the season of sitting outside every chance you get and these chairs are here to help you make the most of it.
Amazon
Promising review: “Just opened them and love them!! I was expecting cheap material since they’re much less expensive than any other zero-gravity chair I’ve seen. But they look and feel like very nice quality!! It is very comfortable in the reclined position, and the headrest is easy to adjust. Also, the locking mechanism is very easy to use. Not to mention they fold down flat and are light to carry!! We’ll be packing these in our car for beach vacations. I will order more of these as gifts for friends and family. Oh, and I really liked that they were 100% ready when they arrived in the mail. Not a single bit of assembling required.” —Miranda
Get them from Amazon for $79.97+ (available in two colors).
17.
A waterproof Bluetooth speaker for turning up your favorite songs as you relax (or party it up) in the pool. Anyone else ready for a summer full of blasting “Anti-Hero” and “Bejeweled”?
amazon.com
Promising review: “Very durable with big, good sound. Once it’s charged, it lasts all day. I’ve had it running for five hours or more on one charge. I brought this speaker to the river all summer and laid it on the ground (rocks, wet dirt) with no problems.” —dean
Get it from Amazon for $79.99+ (available in 14 styles).
18.
A squirrel picnic table feeder because hosting smol creatures in your yard is v cute and fun. Hey, they deserve a nice spot to feast on their acorns!
DelgadoHCTreasures / Etsy, Michelle Braga
Delgado Handcrafted Treasures is a small biz based in Akron, Ohio that sells wooden crafts and home goods.
My colleague Heather Braga gifted this to her brother-in-law! Read what she has to say about it!
“I gifted this to my brother-in-law who had already managed to gain the trust of his local squirrels (by leaving peanuts out for them in a bowl in front of his house). It’s been DELIGHTFUL to receive photos from him of the bushy-tailed creatures snackin’ away. This really is the gift that keeps on giving.”
Get it from Delgado Handcrafted Treasures on Etsy for $35.
19.
A hammock that’ll have you swinging between the trees all season long. Be warned: After laying in it once, you’re never gonna wanna leave.
amazon.com
It holds up to 772 pounds!
Promising review: “Love the hammock. Very easy to put up, and I love the mesh. I’m planning on using it all summer. It’s a little tight for my boyfriend and me. You need to be comfortable with the person you’re sharing with LOL. But definitely worth the price.” —Shelsea Rivera
Get it from Amazon for $27.99+ (available in black or green).
20.
A set of decorative throw pillowcases to easily add a nice rustic, but still modern touch to your patio furniture.
amazon.com, Amazon
Don’t forget the inserts!
Promising review: “Beautiful, quality pillow covers with gorgeous details! I am using them on my covered porch to add some lux details and comfort to patio furniture. I appreciate the texture and the quality of the manufacturer. There are cheaper options out there, but I feel like these were worth what I paid. I will easily transition these indoors when the weather turns cold.” —Siri
Get them from Amazon for $21.99+ (available in five sizes and seven patterns).
21.
A cottage playhouse that might just get your little ones excited to play outside. They’re gonna love using their imagination in their charming new “second home,” and you’re gonna love that they got off the couch and stopped watching TV to get some fresh air.
amazon.com
Promising review: “SO cute. My husband and I assembled it together in about 20 minutes or so, and it was pretty self-explanatory. The kids climb on top of it (even though I would not recommend this to help make it last), and it’s held up great. My favorite part is the colors. It looks great in my yard while giving them a fun place to play.” —GB
Get it from Amazon for $124.30.
22.
A mini projector so you can enjoy outdoor movie nights with family and friends — don’t forget the popcorn!
amazon.com, amazon.com
Promising review: “Initially bought this projector just for fun, but I ended up setting it up in my bedroom for regular use in bed rather than buying another TV. I was able to plug in my Amazon Fire Stick and connect my Bluetooth speaker to my Amazon Fire Stick. I’m so glad I bought this a year ago, as it has come in handy! For being a relatively inexpensive projector, I think the picture quality and brightness are pretty good. I plan to take it camping with me this summer as well for movie nights.” —Caitlyn Steen
Get it from Amazon for $89.99.
23.
And if you don’t already have a good spot to project said movie, then you should also get this large projection screen!
amazon.com
The screen is 120 inches long and made of anti-crease material. It also comes with brackets and ropes for mounting.
Promising review: “This screen is perfect for our use. We bought it for outdoor movie nights, whether being on the garage door, in the backyard, camping, or inside the garage. It’s very easy to install with no wrinkles and shows a great picture. I’ve attached pictures that show how well I can still see the picture despite being surrounded by 7,000 Christmas lights in close vicinity.” —Hallie H
Get it from Amazon for $22.99.
24. A gazebo for some nice shade when sitting out on your patio or by the pool. Ahhhh, sweet relief from those strong rays.
Promising review: “Really looks nice and elegant. Easy to assemble and disassemble and store in the bag provided. Can secure to the deck with screws or to the grass with the stakes provided. Mosquito net provides an additional level of bug and leaf security.” —Tom G
Get it from Amazon for $160.95+ (available in seven colors and two sizes).
25.
A Kan Jam set because this game is a true party hit and one people of all ages can get a kick out of. Best of all, you can take this one on the go!
Amazon
My brother and I grew up playing this game a lot at the camp we used to work at as teenagers, and during quarantine in 2020, we decided it would be a good idea to get this so the whole fam could play when it was nice outside. It’s a huge hit in my family, especially because my brother and I are VERY competitive which makes the game that much more exciting!
Promising review: “This is a ridiculously fun and easy lawn game. It’s got the strategy of horseshoes with the fun of a team activity. The rules are simple, the equipment is made to last — if you are looking for a semi-active game to bring to the beach, family barbecue, or even company picnic, this is it!” —J. Caldwell
Get it from Amazon for $39.97 (a carry bag and a travel version are also available).
26. An outdoor area rug that’ll be the star of the show of your backyard. Its fun colors and pattern are eye-catching and will earn you at least a million compliments.
Promising review: “This rug is the perfect addition to our backyard oasis! It is comfortable and durable, and the colors are great. I have gotten so many compliments on it in the month that we’ve owned it. It completed our backyard deck area perfectly, and the colors are just great.” —CandidlyCady
Get it from Amazon for $21.45+ (available in 23 sizes and 15 designs).
27.
Last, but certainly not least, a frozen drink machine because the best way to celebrate warm weather szn in your backyard is with a delicious frozen drink in your hand!
amazon.com
Promising review: “Bought this for my wife for her birthday. I was planning on going with something cheaper, but after I read all the good reviews on this machine I decided to get this one. This margarita maker is worth every penny! It’s so simple to use, and the fact that you can manually mix it more or add more shaved ice to make it exactly the way you want it is fantastic. We found that after a normal cycle, it leaves some small chunks of ice. Blend for three more seconds, and boom, it’s perfect.” —A.S.
Get it from Amazon for $279.90.
Reviews in this post have been edited for length and clarity.
