Even If You Have A Tiny Outdoors Space, These 46 Upgrades Will Make It Feel More Like A 5-Star Resort

BuzzFeed-Shopping·2025-06-14 05:06

1. Target pesty plantings that weasel their way between pavers with crack weeder tool that'll go where the larger weeder (and your hands!) can't. You barely have room for a garden but you've been seeing a LOT of greenery pop up between your patio pavers. No more!

Sally Elshorafa / BuzzFeed

My colleague Sally Elshorafa invested in this tool and LOVES it: "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."

Get it from Amazon for $16.95.

2. Give yourself some privacy with a pack of natural reed fencing in case you've got a nosy neighbor or you just really want your own personal oasis.

amazon.com, amazon.com

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

Get it from Amazon for $56.09+ (available in seven sizes and two colors).

3. Or attach a roll of faux ivy to ugly wire fencing or a railing with a view you don't love.

amazon.com, amazon.com

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

Get a roll from Amazon for $34.99+ (available in three roll sizes).

1. Target pesty plantings that weasel their way between pavers with crack weeder tool that'll go where the larger weeder (and your hands!) can't. You barely have room for a garden but you've been seeing a LOT of greenery pop up between your patio pavers. No more!

2. Give yourself some privacy with a pack of natural reed fencing in case you've got a nosy neighbor or you just really want your own personal oasis.

3. Or attach a roll of faux ivy to ugly wire fencing or a railing with a view you don't love.

4. String up waterproof globe lights for a big style impact when hung along your roofline, draped on outdoor structures like a pergola, or just strung up solo so you can enjoy the lights *and* the stars.

5. Install a cooling misting system to help you get as much time as possible outside this summer because last summer your backyard started to feel like sitting in a sauna. (Hey, at least you didn't have to look at strangers in their towels!)

6. Try an oil-stain remover capable of annihilating that grease stain or oil stain that you can't help but fixate upon while enjoying your small (but mighty!) patio.

7. Put some bleach-free outdoor cleaner to work on walkways and other surfaces before you commit to pulling out the pressure washer. Its foamy formula is totally safe around your precious plants.

8. And if nothing seems to help out your discolored concrete patio and walkway surfaces, try out some concrete paint — it will take a bit of elbow grease to spruce up stained concrete patios or walkways but it'll make a HUGE difference without tearing up any hard surfaces.

9. Or you can just cover up some stains with an outdoor rug that'll help you create a sense of space for an outdoor room or sitting setup.

10. But if you're looking for something a bit hardier, try some interlocking teak tiles you don't need tools to install. That concrete patio slab is older than you, but it doesn't have to look that way.

11. Brighten up a railing thanks to some colorful flower pots with draining holes and hooks so the plants inside can ~thrive~ while they sit there looking pretty. (Don't worry, artificial flowers will thrive in there too.)

12. Or try out a ledge planter so you can take FULL advantage of your deck or railing situation to spread some floral joy to your space. Maybe you don't have much space for a garden, but this'll help scratch that itch!

13. Make the most of a side yard with a weather-resistant cedar pathway you can roll out along garden beds or other paths where your family (including the members with paws) tends to tread and wear down the grass.

14. Assemble a smaller-scale nice-looking shed if you don't have room for a full-fledged shed to stash recycling bins, bikes, a lawnmower, and other hefty tools. Get that stuff outta the way so you don't have to stare at a weedwacker while zoning out at your bistro set.

16. And refresh your outdoor furniture cushions with some outdoor fabric spray paint (yes, you read that right). It'll help with regular throw pillows but reviewers especially appreciate it for oddly shaped, custom cushions that would be especially difficult and costly to replace.

17. Create a *moment* by squeezing in a colorful three-piece patio set that'll also fold up and easily store away when not in use because you want some flexibility on that postage stamp of a patio.

18. Think beyond pool floats for useful inflatables! This inflatable ottoman will help you kick back and relax when you want, but then clear room later for a bistro set. It's also water- and fade-resistant so it won't meet its demise from a random summer downpour.

19. Invest (granted, a cheap investment) in a clip-on light if you like your existing umbrella but could use the extra light.

20. Create some custom shade with a sunshade sail you can rig up rather than a canopy over the patio or the kids' sandbox to block up to 95% of UV rays and keep things a bit cooler. And you can even double or triple up on them to customize your space.

21. And consider multi-use pieces like a cooler/side table that'll hold your chilled bevvies before you crack them open, and then give you a place to rest 'em.

22. Mount an outdoor fan to the corner of your patio to keep a breeze going. Also, circulating air will decrease the number of bugs that bother you.

23. And plop down a Thermacell mosquito repellent that also serves as a light source so you can squeeze in more hours on the patio without getting eaten alive by bugs. It works for a 20-foot zone!

24. Or try a tabletop fly fan that'll do the swatting at bugs for ya. Its steady breeze serves as a deterrent while you're just trying to enjoy the great outdoors on your patio.

25. Hang up a waterproof outdoor curtain on your deck to help give you a little privacy from your neighbor or block the sun out of your eyes while you're having your morning coffee out there.

26. Become da belle of da ball after you install a colorful tree swing that everyone can enjoy — it has a weight capacity of 900 pounds.

27. Or put that one random tree in your backyard to good use with a hanging hammock chair where your family can find you at any given (day) time for the immediate future. (Psst, it can hold up to 500 pounds.)

28. Get your plants out of a slump with a pack of four plant supporters that'll perk 'em right back up while blending in enough so they don't look super obvious. Your nosiest neighbor is gonna want to know what the heck you did.

29. And create a lush feel beyond your landscaping with a wooden wall-mounted trellis here to support your growing climbing plants or hanging planters. If your backyard doesn't have as much space for foliage, this is a great way to get in some more greenery out of basically thin air.

32. Address bare spots in your lawn with some dog spot repair if your puppy has a favorite pee spot and it shows... This stuff will get new grass growin' in no time so you can get back to hosting BBQs.

33. And if you've got stairs, add some solar-powered stair lights so you can mosey on down your deck stairs to your backyard setup with a glass of wine in each hand *safely*.

34. Establish a garden focal point with an easy-to-install trellis you can merely lean up against your home's exterior wall. This one's made of PVC so it'll be super easy to take care of!

35. Put up a hook-and-ring game that'll work in even tiny outdoor spaces. Every backyard needs some kind of game element! You'll def be able to squeeze in this one.

36. Invest in an outdoor drink stakes set that'll hold your beer while you tend to the fire pit or check out how those burgers are faring on the grill. These are low-commitment so you won't have to deal with an ugly side table stuck haphazardly where you need it at the moment.

37. Hang up a double hammock you totally have permission to use just by yourself.

38. Or try out a camping hammock in case you don't want to quite commit a certain corner of your yard to a regular hammock. This one is made to use on the move so you can change your mind...and even taking it backpacking with you to take in some amazing views.

39. Help every member of the fam feel like they're at a micro White Lotus with an outdoor wooden double chaise lounge you'll wish you were little enough to park yourself on. You may recognize it from TikTok where people are showing how they bought it for their dogs.

42. Or if you need to reach farther to cut some branches, a lightweight extension pole with a trimming saw will get to where your paws can't — or at least safely reach.

43. Remind yourself to water your plants with a gorgeous watering can. Because some of us need the reminder.

44. Create a patio focal point with a gas firepit table *and* fight the chill on cool nights when you're REALLY trying to make a backyard hang happen.

45. Make the most of a teensy bit of space with a colorful, powder-coated steel accent table made to stand up to the elements better than steel tables. It's also the perfect place to put down your homemade BLT and a glass of sweet tea within arm's reach.

46. If your space is just a smidge too small for a couch, try out an 52" wide Acacia wood loveseat that'll really up the design ante in your space.

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4. String up waterproof globe lights for a big style impact when hung along your roofline, draped on outdoor structures like a pergola, or just strung up solo so you can enjoy the lights and the stars.

17. Create a moment by squeezing in a colorful three-piece patio set that'll also fold up and easily store away when not in use because you want some flexibility on that postage stamp of a patio.

33. And if you've got stairs, add some solar-powered stair lights so you can mosey on down your deck stairs to your backyard setup with a glass of wine in each hand safely.

44. Create a patio focal point with a gas firepit table and fight the chill on cool nights when you're REALLY trying to make a backyard hang happen.