If You Think Your Patio, Deck, Or Backyard Is Seriously Lacking, Boy Do We Have Some Updates For You

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If You Think Your Patio, Deck, Or Backyard Is Seriously Lacking, Boy Do We Have Some Updates For YouIncluding plenty of options for those seeking shade.

1. A triangular sail that’ll bring your backyard some much-needed shade *and* drop the temperature a few degrees so you can actually enjoy the outdoors instead of worrying about sprouting a sweat stache.

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 and hasn’t faded, and the loops are well-stitched. The sail has also faired well in winds, thunderstorms, monsoon rain, and the brutal heat of Vegas. The shade is wonderful, and one can definitely feel the temperature difference from full sun to being under this sail. The look and feel compliments our pool area, and will certainly be purchasing an additional one.” —VHC Media

Get it from Amazon for $22.99+ (available in dozens of sizes and 12 colors/patterns).

2. A vertical planter with five containers so you can finally grow your own herbs and stop spending $6 on a tiny bunch of basil!!

Each container has drainage holes and root tray risers to help prevent root rot. 

Promising review: “This was really easy to put together. I’m using it for fresh herbs mostly, but I will be planting some flowers for some color. Make sure you line up the holes properly with each planter. Alternating left, right, center. Make sure they are facing the front so they drip down onto the next tray properly. Otherwise, any cascading water from each tray will just drip onto the ground.” —trlyka

Get it from Amazon for $149.99. 

3. A massive inflatable screen from which you can watch all your fave programs. Bust this out for all of your summer Love Island viewings, and I guarantee no one will be late.And if you need a projector, this one is affordable and loved by reviewers!

Promising review: “Definitely is easy to assemble. With a good projector, this screen is nice to watch outdoor movies and play video games. I don’t suggest you deflate it completely outside just to keep the white screen from getting dirty. I let the air out halfway after turning off the pump and fold it the house to store away in the bag it comes in. Highly recommend this for those outdoor movies!!” —Linny Presiado

Get it from Amazon for $99.99+ (available in two sizes).

4. Some connectable Edison bulb string lights so you can make your backyard look like your favorite outdoor beer garden — and your guests will love that there’s no cover charge!

Promising review: “I have ordered four boxes of these light sets now. I love love love these lights. They are gorgeous. I plugged them in while in the package to make sure they all worked. Then I unscrewed all the bulbs to make it easy to hang. I hung them up all around my balcony using a staple gun. When I finished I screwed the light bulbs all in 🙂 I would highly recommend these lights. They are PINTEREST perfect!” —Cora

Get it from Amazon for $15.19+ (available in four sizes and four styles). 

5. Or some weather-resistant wall lanterns if you could use the extra illumination but string lights aren’t exactly your thing. 
Amazon

Promising review: “These lights are AMAZING. I am very picky and love them so much. They change the whole style of my front porch. They give off great light, it’s amazing how bright they are. They are sturdy and well built. I am 100% happy.” —Lindsey Kellerman

Get it from Amazon for $49.99+ (available in two sizes and packs of one or two). 

6. An outdoor area rug that’ll add some pizzazz to your patio if otherwise, it’s just a bland slab of concrete. Promising review: “Ordered the 7’3″ x 10’6″ for our rooftop to define some space. Excellent quality. It’s durable, comfortable, and hasn’t blown away. It is thicker than most outdoor rugs, so it does get very saturated after heavy rain but it has dried quickly for us lying flat because we get direct sun. It’s a great statement piece.” —NKG

Get it from Amazon for $57+ (available in 14 sizes and in 3 colors).

7. A three-piece patio set with enough room for a small charcuterie spread and bottle of chilled white wine. You know, just ~summer~ stuff.

Promising review: “I have a pretty small patio off of my bedroom, and this set fits perfectly. It’s already put together; you just open the box and pop open the chairs and table. Sturdy and good quality. Love the color!” —Lea

Get the set from Amazon for $119.99+ (available in six colors).

8. A balcony bar table attachment so you can take your WFH setup and convert it into a WFO (work from outside) setup. And then, when 5 p.m. hits, it’s time to make it a bar top!Amazon

Promising review: “Very durable patio table. It’s really nice that it folds up to take inside during extreme weather. Absolutely perfect for the porch at the coast.” —Sandra A. Watson

Get it from Amazon for $87.99 (available in rectangular and half-round styles, and as regular tables). 

9. A canopy swing that basically looks like a Fisher-Price baby rocker — just for adults. If only it came with a motor to automatically rock you to sleep…

Promising review: “We love this lounge chair!!! The price was fabulous!! (And just a note… If you take care of your things — i.e. cover up the swing with a tarp and bring the cushions in when not using it — It will stay like new. Sun and rain can age anything! Easy-peasy!!) This lounge swing is so comfortable, and made very well!! And it only took my hubby and I only 25 to 30 minutes to put together. Take my word for it… you are not going to find a nicer lounge swing at this price!!” —Marash

Get it from Amazon for $219.99 (available in seven colors).

10. A terrazzo firepit so you can partake in your fave outdoor pastime: making s’mores! It sure beats cooking ’em over a regular stove — let me tell you that.Amazon

Promising review: “5/5 stars!! I was nervous to purchase something that had no reviews, but I looked on their page and saw they had other items with good reviews, so I pulled the trigger and bought this beauty, and I’m SO happy I did! One of my favorite purchases. This was the best-priced stone propane fire pit I found. It puts out a good amount of heat to keep me warm watching movies in the backyard with the family. It’s lightweight, so it’s easy to move, too. It doesn’t come with a cover for the propane tank, so I’ll be buying one later, but it’s awesome! Would definitely recommend” —Kat Gerig

Get it from Amazon for $229.99+ (available in six shapes/sizes).

11. And some crowd-pleasing flame colorant so when you run out of said s’mores ingredients… you can still get guests to stick around. 
PS: Magical Flames is a small biz!

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

Get it from Amazon for $8.77+ (available in packs of 5, 10, 12, 25, or 50).

12. Solar-powered light-up flowers sure to add some whimsy to any outdoor space. And since they’re cordless, you don’t have to worry about being in proximity of an outlet. 

Promising review: “I’ll be purchasing more of these lights! They are unique and very pretty. Bright white color! Reminds me of fireflies floating around!”—Dooleydoes

Get a pack of two from Amazon for $16.98.

13. A bohemian three-piece wicker set that’ll make your outdoor space look fit for the cover of a magazine. Just add a rug and BOOM! You basically have the artistic vision of Bobby Berk.Amazon

Promising review: “I LOVE this patio set!! I cannot say enough good things about it. It was so easy to assemble, no nails or screws required. It is very sturdy (a few wobbles, but not enough to be annoying) and looks so beautiful! The cushions are super comfy and it is also very well made. So happy with my purchase and highly recommend!” —Megan

Get the set from Amazon for $258.19.

14. A compact Weber grill if you don’t have a ton of outdoor space but do have super-size grilling ambitions. 

Promising reviews: “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

“We love this little grill. It’s a perfect fit for our 10″ x12″ patio and it can grill a decent amount of food. All the other reviews helped us decide on this one and we are quite pleased.” —Toi Burdick

Get it from Amazon for $139+ (available with or without a cover). 

15. A pair of gravity lounge chairs so you can stretch out in ergonomic fashion. After being bent over your laptop all day like a lil’ gremlin, it can do wonders for your lower back!Promising review: “I can see why these are so popular — they’re great quality, really comfortable, and easy to use. I wanted something for the people in my family with knee and back issues because Adirondack chairs and old-school lounge chairs sit really low, making getting up out of them a big problem. We got these for the back patio, but we love them so much that we’re getting a second set for the front porch. Great for ALL ages — tested and verified.” —Jason Pauer

Get a set of two from Amazon for $99.99 (available in 24 colors).

16. A fully adjustable portable backyard mister you can coil along a railing or umbrella or even just prop up on the ground next to you. It might not look like much, but it can cool areas off by up to 20 degrees!

Promising review: “Works exactly how I want it to. Provides a fine, cool mist on the patio, allowing us to enjoy the backyard until sunset without breaking a sweat. Easy to set up. It was out of the box and cooling us off within minutes.” —Debra L. Kusek

Get it from Amazon for $27 (also available in multipacks). 

17. A three-piece Acapulco set that speaks to both contemporary and retro design and offers just enough seating for you and your BFF — the foster fail you took in this spring.Amazon

Promising review: “We are obsessed with this set. Just what we were looking for. The quality is so good and the price it’s unbelievable. I really don’t understand how these have next to no reviews at all. They are perfect!” —michelb

Get the set from Amazon for $159.99 (available in three colors).

18. A citronella candle to help keep mosquitoes away if you seemingly have the sweetest, most irresistible blood imaginable. Anchored Northwest / Etsy

This candle has a 60-hour burn time!

Anchored Northwest is a husband-and-wife–founded small biz based in Spokane, Washington making the most delicious-smelling candles and room sprays,

Promising reviews: “I love this candle! I got two — one for the back patio and one for the front porch. It doesn’t smell like chemicals like so many citronella candles do and it helps keeps the bugs away!!” —Katie

Get it from Anchored Northwest on Etsy for $17.50 (originally $25). 

19. And — if that’s not enough — a high-voltage bug zapper that’ll keep mosquitoes and moths at bay so you can enjoy being outside without feeling like you want to crawl out of your own skin. Promising review: “It’s perfect for the the area I have it in. Covers the square footage and definitely keeps the mosquitoes and other small annoying pests attracted to it and not us. It’s made my patio and pool much more enjoyable.” —Andrew Panzica

Get it from Amazon for $39.99.

20. A 2-in-1 cooler table so you don’t have to make several trips to the kitchen when you’re ready for another Topo Chico hard seltzer. Just load it up with ice and you can dump a 12-pack in, easy peasy.

Oh, and that’ll just be the start of your beverage offerings! The 7.5-gallon cooler can store up to forty 12-ounce cans and ice.

Promising review: “These coolers / side tables are quite possibly one of my favorite purchases of the past year! They were super easy to assemble and they hold a ton of beverages and ice. The ice actually stays cool for a good 24 hours. There’s a pop-up drain located in the bottom that makes it easy to drain the water when not in use. They’re very lightweight and easy to move around to different locations as needed. All of my friends and family that have come over have already purchased them for themselves! I 100% recommend this product and absolutely love them!!” —Stephanie Morris

Get it from Amazon for $79.04+ (also available in black).

21. A quilted hammock because taking a nap outdoors just hits different — especially when you’re laying on something as comfortable and plush as a mattress topper.What’s included: One pillow, two chains, and two S-shaped hooks. Stand is sold separately.

Promising review: “This hammock is so cozy and comfy. My favorite part of my day since I got it lol definitely recommend. It’s very large, sturdy, and soft. It feels like it has no problems holding up myself (130 pounds) my son (40 pounds) and my husband (250 pounds).” —Liv

Get it from Amazon for $64.89+ (available in six colors/prints).

22. A three-piece bar set you can stock with everything you need to whip up tropical drinks. Don’t forget the tiny umbrella toothpicks!!

Promising review: “We ordered two of these outdoor bars for our patio. They look so great put side by side to create one long bar. The instructions could have been a little more helpful but it was fairly easy to figure out. The bar is very sturdy and the shelving inside is great for extra storage. If you are looking for a relatively inexpensive way to improve your outdoor space, this bar is the perfect addition!” —Debbie M.

Get the set from Amazon for $99.99 (available in four colors).

23. An umbrella light that’ll provide overhead light so you can continue your al fresco gossip sesh long after sunset. 

Promising review: “When I bought this, it was totally on a whim. I was convinced that because it was so inexpensive, it would be a cheap piece of junk! Was I wrong! It does a great job of lighting up the table with the three different settings. AND, if you turn it upside-down, you can further vary the brightness. (Sometimes you just want a hint of a glow, rather than a spotlight in your face.) I’m very happy with this, especially since I left it out all summer long with no issues. It was hidden under a closed umbrella, but I’m sure it got a little damp with rainwater, and it survived! For just $10, it is such an easy solution for my patio that has no electricity, and therefore, needs something battery powered.” —LouiseN

Get it from Amazon for $8.99.

24. An oversized egg chair you’ll soon be treating like your very own throne. My advice? Snatch up any and all bells in the house rn so you can summon your roommates/family/significant other to grab you lemonade and grapes.

Promising review: “LOVE our wicker egg chair! Had been watching a few different egg chairs on the market for two years. Finally made the leap to purchase two of these. We absolutely LOVE them! One reason I purchased this egg chair over others is how wide it is. I can comfortably sit in the chair with one of my teenagers — so it can fit two people. You can use this chair indoor or outdoors.” —K Roz

Get it from Amazon for $475.80+ (available in two colors).

25. A weather-resistant cedar pathway you can use to connect your patio to other outdoor areas like your garden or hot tub. 

Promising review: “I’ve just installed these wooden garden pathways along the side of my house. Everyone just loves them. They give the entrance to the backyard a tropical resort feel. I highly recommend them. Sturdy and durable as well.” —Tom Sokolowski

Get an 8-foot path from Amazon for $89.13.

26. A cushioned hanging chair where you can curl up and enjoy the breeze or even spy on neighborhood pups (that’s what I’d do, anyways).Promising review: “Love this swing!!! Our whole family does! All different sizes and it up holds us all so well!! From 155 pounds to 260 pounds — we’re all comfortable and the quality is super great!! Love this swing!♄” —Stephen Tyre

Get it from Amazon for $32.99+ (available in six colors).

27. Some solar-powered, round garden light you can pop on your tabletop, in your garden beds, or along your pool for added ambiance. Squint your eyes and it’s almost like you’re at a resort in Cabo. 

Promising review: “I put these on our patio and they are breathtakingly beautiful! I really like the colored ones the most. Get so many fabulous compliments! Don’t pass them up. đŸ„°” —J Thomas

Get them from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in three colors and packs of two or four).

28. A tiered plant stand with room for each and every succulent you impulse-bought when you ran to The Home Depot last week. Heck, there’s even space for a few more if you happen to come across others that are just  begging for a home. 

Promising review: “I absolutely love my new tiered plant shelf that I set up on my outdoor patio. The tiers make my succulents and plants look so good and I have received lots of compliments on how it makes my patio look. I can fit several large and small pots on it. My hubby advised me to coat it for waterproofing and durability, so I did. This has helped it to retain its new look and protect it from the rain, water, and sun. We live in a rainy part of town during the winter and have hot, humid summers. Still looks great.” —Maya

Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in seven sizes).

29. A magnetic barbecue light that’ll make it easy to check in on the progress of your burgers and dogs — no phone flashlight necessary. Amazon

Promising review: “These grill lights are exactly what I needed! They light up the area so well. The magnets are strong, and the ability to direct the light where needed is great. The package they came in is perfect to store them in when not in use! I have recommended these to several people who also think they are great. I was worried they would be cheap and maybe not have a lot of magnetic hold to them, but they do!!” —LC

Get it from Amazon for $27.99.

30. A weather-resistant end table where you can place your emotional support iced coffee. Sometimes I don’t even feel like caffeine, but I like having it anyways. Not sure if that’s just a me thing or not, but đŸ€·â€â™€ïž. 

Promising review: “Omg this is cute and super easy to assemble. I got the red and kinda wish I had gotten the blue… oh but all the colors are so cute!! Debating buying a second one so each porch chair has its own table. This really is so incredibly versatile. I could see it on a porch, as a minimalist side table, in a kid’s room, a place to keep plants… I wouldn’t put anything tremendously heavy on it, but as far as tables at this price go, this is the best!” —Meghan McD

Get it from Amazon for $36.99+ (available in seven colors).

31. A weather-resistant steel gazebo so you can feel like you’re in an exclusive VIP cabana at your favorite resort. Now to hire someone who can handle bottle service…Wayfair

Assembly is needed, but reviewers say it’s really not too bad!

Promising review: “Love this! There are holes drilled in the bottom if you want to anchor it to a deck. Came with stakes to tie ropes to anchor it also. Easy to put together, all parts included! Great!” —Pam B.

Get it from Wayfair for $271.78 (originally $653).

32. A terrazzo accent table with convenient lil’ handles so you can scoot it to your end of the outdoor loveseat the second your beau gets up to grab something inside.

Target

Promising review: “This is a nice-looking, good-sized side table I have put on my patio. It is quite heavy and there is no need to worry about it blowing over in the wind. It gives the space a very contemporary look with the terrazzo tile and simple square design. It could be used in a grouping quite nicely in an outdoor or indoor living space. It could also make a handsome plant stand.” —Susan L

Get it from Target for $100.

33. A foldable cabana chair that looks like something you’d lounge on at a far-flung resort. So what if you only have three square feet of backyard space?? This baby will transform it.

The Inside

The Inside is a small home furnishings brand that partners with heritage design brands like Scalamandré and Old World Weavers. 

Promising review: “This chair has come with me to the beach, it pops out on a sunny day in my backyard and it stores easily in my garage — it’s a nice weather must have!” —Patricia A.

Get it from The Inside for $116 (originally $145; available in 95 colors/prints).

34. A swiveling UPF 50 plus protection umbrella (with an adjustable clamp) you can bring to the beach or even just use on your deck. That way, you don’t end up with third-degree burns after taking a cat nap that turned into four (count ’em — four) solid hours.
Psst — a lot of reviewers swear by this for easy hands-free shade solutions for strollers and wheelchairs as well!

Promising review: “I love this! I brought it along for the Fourth of July Parade on a very hot day and attached it to my chair. Not only did it cool me off by about 30 degrees (I think it was close to 100 in the sun), but it ALSO could be all adjusted so the shade fell over me without all of the people walking back and forth on the sidewalk behind my chair constantly bumping into it (which would have happened with a big round umbrella). The clamp is very well made and clamped very securely to my chair with a minimum of effort.” —Kindle Customer

Get it from Amazon for $22.17+ (available in two sizes and eight colors).

35. A set of ~wine sticks~ so mama (you) never has to stray too far from baby (your glass of rosé).Amazon

Promising review: “These stakes are well-constructed and heavier than I expected. I tried the holders on a variety of bottles and wine glasses with great results. They are plenty long enough to hold the wine bottle and the glasses securely. ” —Patrick W.

Get a set of five from Amazon for $16.42.

36. An indoor/outdoor bean bag you can sink into once you’ve scooped up the best burger of the bunch + added a healthy handful of Doritos to your BBQ-approved paper plate.My Beachside Style / Etsy

My Beachside Style is a Sydney, Australia-based shop with all sorts of island-inspired cushions, pet beds, and tableware.

Promising review: “I bought a large bean bag, and I absolutely love it! You will never find this quality in a big box store. It even looks lovely in a formal living area. So versatile and comfortable. I love most that my purchase supports a person/family and NOT corporate conglomerate. I can’t wait to buy more products from My Beachside Style.” —Julia O’Neill

Get it from My Beachside Style on Etsy for $128.96+ (available in sizes S–L and five colors).

37. An acacia wood loveseat with such plush cushions, you may start to prefer it over your actual living room couch. Tbh there are few things that can beat a nap in direct sunlight.

Promising review: “Super happy with this loveseat. Easy to assemble, sturdy, and has a clean and classic look. Cushions are well made with sturdy zippers so you can remove the covers for washing. Wood is good quality and has a nice scent.” —Mark Izatt

Get it from Amazon for $348.87.

38. A patterned indoor/outdoor ottoman so durable, you can kick up your feet — shoes and all — without worrying about staining it or being yelled at by your mom for *potentially* staining it.Amazon

Promising reviews: “This is perfect for my back patio. Serves as seating or a coffee table, and it’s easy to move around as needed. I recommend!” —townhousequeen

“Every other pouf of this size cost three times as much, so I was hesitant to buy it. It is well-stuffed, comfy, huge, and holds up just fine outside. Highly recommend!” —Jaxtazon

Get it from Amazon for $89.

39. A woven rope bench that offers far more support than you may think. If you ever spent recesses making Jacob’s Ladders with random bits of string — you know what I’m talking about.Promising review: “This is an absolutely gorgeous bench! The rope/wood are even more beautiful in person. It was also (besides a couple of awkwardly placed screws) very easy to assemble. I’m not great with putting things together and had no problem doing it by myself. It also arrived very quickly, which was an unexpected bonus. I love it!” —A reader

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

40. A convertible daybed so you can lounge out in the sun all day, synthesizing vitamin D like an iguana before sleeping out under the stars. Promising review: “Absolutely amazing! Couldn’t have asked for anything better! We love the deep cushions and the comfort of this new piece for our patio! It’s perfect!” —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $400.

41. And a mini picnic table if you’re looking to entertain furry lil’ guests just as well as human ones. Don’t be shy — leave out some snacks, and you’ll be well on your way to a party.Etsy

Minnesota-based Etsy seller Jacob Wolff (I Lake The Life) has racked up over 1,000 5-star reviews for his squirrel picnic tables which come in three different styles.

Promising review: “We absolutely love our little squirrel picnic table! The quality is excellent and it was clearly packaged with love and care. Neighbors have already asked where we got it and it’s been outside for only one day. A great purchase!” —Sarah Birdsall

Get it from I Lake The Life on Etsy for $28.99.

Reviews in this post have been edited for length and/or clarity. 

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