If You Want A Nice Backyard But You’re Lazy, These 31 Things Have Got Your Back

Promising review: "Love this outdoor rug and it’s reversible. White where the yellow is on this side. I love it ... the yellow is a beautiful, bright color. Just magical." —Barb

Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in three colors and three sizes).

3. A portable 100-inch movie screen so your backyard can turn into a movie theater once the sun goes down. It sets up quickly, stands on its own (no need to tie it to trees), and folds down when you're done. Basically, it turns your backyard into a full-on theater without any of the ticket prices or sticky floors.

Promising review: "I love the size and the fact that it takes five minutes to set up and five minutes to take down. Very portable and lightweight to carry. Very sturdy. I would highly recommend." —Kathi

Get it from Amazon for $88.95+ (also available in 120-inch size).

4. A wireless Hedgehog TurboVac that'll puff up your backyard inflatables faster than you can say "I'm not doing this manually." It's a rechargeable 3-in-1 vacuum, air blower, and pump that weighs less than a pound and runs up to 30 minutes (or 15 on beast mode). Just turn it on and let it do the work while you supervise with a cold drink.

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Sally Elshorafa / BuzzFeed

It's not even officially summer, and we're already living in our backyard. As a mom of two small kids, I need tools that actually pull their weight, and this one does. It basically weighs nothing and runs up to 30 minutes on a single charge. I use it to inflate giant backyard toys in just a few minutes without breaking a sweat (or a lung). One hand holds the nozzle, the other holds an iced beverage; that's the level of comfort I'm talking about.

Get it from Hedgehog for $119.

5. An inflatable dinosaur water play center for transforming your backyard into a miniature waterpark. It has a slide with a landing pad and a movable dinosaur arch water sprayer to keep everyone cool.

Promising review: "Was looking for something to keep us busy and cool in our backyard. This is incredible, and my son (20 months) absolutely loves it! There's so much to keep us busy, from the ball toss to the misting slide. I even laid on it to sunbathe, and it was comfortable, lol. Really excited to use this for the summer and have people over to enjoy it with us!! If you’re on the fence, let this be your sign to buy! ☀️" —Ashley Edberg

Get it from Amazon for $55.70+ (available in seven sizes and three styles).

6. A pack of wildflower seeds to turn a sad patch of dirt into a butterfly-and-hummingbird buffet. You get over 30,000 seeds (!!!) across 23 varieties, so even if half of them ghost you, you'll still end up with a bloom-filled backyard.

Seed Needs is a family-owned small business in Michigan that makes seed packets.

Promising review: "I bought this package hoping to attract butterflies. It did not disappoint. I have the opposite of a green thumb, and this was super easy. I couldn't tell you the names of any flowers, but we have at least six different types. I overseeded a smaller area, so I will probably make the area larger or only do half the seeds next year. We can go outside at any time and see our beautiful flowers and SO many butterflies! 10/10" —Tesa Taylor

Get it from Amazon for $5+ (available in four mixes and two sizes).

7. A portable, Bluetooth-enabled outdoor speaker with all the bells and whistles you could possibly ever need. Can it play music nonstop for 24 hours on a single charge? Totes. Is it waterproof? Yes. Floatable? Uh-huh. Does it have a racetrack subwoofer with a max output of 80 watts? Heck yeah, it does!

Promising review: "I cannot understand how something this size can possibly produce such amazing, loud, clear sound and bass. It is a truly incredible device that I intend to use daily because it works well outside, too. Do not be deceived by the affordable price. It is significantly better than a $400 JBL. The battery life is great, too. If I want it loud, half the volume is all you need. If I want to blast my neighbors, 80%. I haven’t needed to push it further. The bass-up function is awesome. You’re gonna love this thing." —Rob and Piper

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

8. A chaise lounge with five adjustable positions so you can go from upright reader to full-on nap mode with minimal effort. The base is made of aluminum and resin, meaning it can handle pool splashes, surprise rainstorms, and whatever else Mother Nature throws at it. Bonus: it stacks, so storing a few is just as as easy as using them.

Kozyard is a small business in California and New Jersey that sells outdoor furniture for the home.

Promising review: "I must admit that I read so many reviews on a million different sites for the perfect pool chairs. I did not want to spend $600 a chair, and I wanted to get some that would last, as most chair reviewers said they had to replace their wicker/rattan chairs every one to two years. After finally deciding on these for the resort-style look, I bit the bullet and bought six of them. We are very impressed. The real test was using them for days at a time — they did not disappoint! Very comfortable on your back or stomach and easy to adjust at multiple levels. I believe I am going to order two more! Order these....you won't be disappointed." —Renee Byars

Get it from Amazon for $157.14+ (available in four colors, with or without a side table, and sets of two).

9. A hanging solar lantern that'll turn even a sliver of an outdoor space into an enchanting retreat. The warm LED glow casts mesmerizing patterns at night, all powered by an efficient solar panel that charges during the day (and illuminates for at least eight hours after dark). Plus, it's waterproof.

Promising review: "Absolutely love this! I set it up on my front porch. When I came out after it was dark when it had absorbed sun, it was beautiful, and cast the shapes of hummingbirds on the ground. It’s the perfect size, shape, and brightness. I think it would also look really nice mounted on a stand-out in the garden! I recommend setting it out in an area that gets at least six hours of sun for the best brightness and lasting light at night time." —Cassidy Low

Get it from Amazon for $26.99+ (available in six designs).

10. A Thermacell mosquito repellent so you can actually enjoy your time outside without constantly swatting at the air. It creates a 20-foot protection zone without any sprays or smells, and it runs on a rechargeable battery. Just turn it on and let it quietly do its thing while you relax.

Promising review: "I live near water and have animals = I get bugs. With one of these placed at each of my doors or windows outside = I get no flying bugs inside. Finally. During winter, truly no flies inside. During summer, an occasional fly/mosquito slips through the circumference. Overall, it saved me one summer when we were getting 10 mosquito bites a day. After I started using this, no mosquito bites! (Dogs do not even notice its existence)." —Christine D.

Get it from Amazon for $30.92+ (available in six styles).

11. A very cool retro-esque umbrella to add some old Hollywood energy to your backyard. Most patio umbrellas have a simple design and are a solid color, but they don't have to be that way! Use this instead to really up the glam.

Beach State is a small business specializing in premium, high-quality beach umbrellas.

Check out aTikTok of the umbrella in action.

Promising review: "This is exactly what we were looking for! An umbrella that's not only sturdy but easy to carry (comes with a backpack carrier), easy to set up, and provides excellent protection from the sun. It’s perfect for casual sunbathing in your backyard or a full day at the beach. Highly recommend!" —Sheila

Get it from Amazon for $154+ (available in six colors).

12. Or a lighted cantilever umbrella that'll make your backyard feel like some type of fancy resort destination. It spans 10 feet, tilts and cranks easily, and has built-in solar-powered lights, so you don't have to abandon ship the second the sun goes down. Shade by day, ambiance by night.

Sally Elshorafa / BuzzFeed

Promising review: "Absolutely love it!!! This umbrella is huge; I was so shocked at how big it was. What an awesome investment! It also comes with a cover to keep it decent and clean! I am satisfied with this purchase; it is beautiful and different from a regular table umbrella. None of my neighbors have this, so I love having something different. And it’s solar, which is perfect, no plugs or anything, just the sun, and it lights up." —TK

Get it from Wayfair for $199.99+ (available in six colors).

13. A wooden privacy screen with planters at the bottom so you can hide away unsightly things. This will easily disguise the garbage cans or your giant air-conditioning unit, or provide privacy if you have nosy neighbors.

Promising review: "We have a small patio close to a grassy area where the neighborhood dogs do their business — so annoying and smelly — so we needed a way to get lots of florals in while also providing some privacy. These are perfect and hold lots of florals; the ivy I have is already beginning to climb the trellis, and they're sturdy!! We live in a windy area, and so far, they haven't budged. Also, so, so easy to put together!! Took us less than a half hour probably." —Jessica

Get it from Amazon for $79.99+ (available in three sizes).

14. A wall-mounted outdoor fan to keep your patio breezy and comfortable, even during heat waves. It frees up floor space, angles exactly where you want it, and actually makes a difference when the sun's doing the most. Bonus points if it helps keep the bugs away, too.

This weatherproof fan has a fully sealed and permanently lubricated industrial motor to protect it against wetness.

Promising review: "Great fan at a good price! I bought this fan for my backyard to help circulate the air on hot days and to help deter mosquitoes at night around the firepit. This fan worked perfectly. It has three speeds, the highest of which is super strong. The fan at high speed is a bit noisy, but nothing unexpected of a powerful fan. It is also 100% waterproof, which is a must. My only minor issues would be 1) it would be nice if the fan came with a cover for when it’s not used (I bought 20-inch tire storage covers to do the job), and 2) the fan is only adjustable up and down not side to side — if they could make it oscillate that would be great. Having said that, I would recommend this fan for sure and would not hesitate to buy it again." —Bigdad

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

15. A 21" Ryobi self-propelling lawnmower because yard work is way more tolerable when your mower doesn't sound like a helicopter. This one's battery powered-powered (read: quiet), and the charge lasts forever — I did both my front and back lawn with juice left over. It's a very worthy investment if you want to maintain a pristine lawn all year long without a lot of effort on your part (self-propelling really is awesome).

Sally Elshorafa / BuzzFeed

My house has a lot of lawn: over 3,000 square feet. When we first moved in, I bought a cheap battery-powered mower that could barely handle either the front or the back yard on a single charge. Not ideal. This Ryobi mower is the total opposite. I can mow both the front and back with charge to spare.

A "command center" lets you activate turbo mode and lights, and adjust the self-propel speed right from the handle (great for slowing down when you're trying to mow a corner). Turbo mode gives you an extra boost for tough patches, and it comes with a grass catcher bag, though I always keep mine on mulch mode because it's better for the lawn. The handle folds down for easy storage.

Bonus: the 40V battery works with over 85 other Ryobi tools, which I love because it means I can expand my collection without collecting a bunch of different batteries.

Promising review: "I bought this mower exclusively for my front yard because I love my yard to be neat. Since my yard is on a slope, self-propelled is a must. I was really surprised by the power of the drive and the very even cut. Stores away in my garage and is always ready. Am I happy? Extremely." —Greg D.

Get it from The Home Depot for $549.

16. A hammock chair to bring some serious vacation energy to your porch or backyard. It comes with two plush cushions and all the hanging hardware, so you can set this up quickly and get to lounging immediately.

It can hold up to 500 pounds.

Promising review: "This is my favorite thing to sit in. The colorful woven fabric keeps dry and clean while sitting on my covered front porch that is open to the elements. My seat doesn't sit in direct light, however, the color is still as vibrant as the day I hung it up. The seat is very sturdy, as the cord that is supporting your weight is not anchored at one single point but along the whole edge. It's like your own personal cocoon. I leave this up year-round because it would be difficult to store, unless you have a decent amount of closet space." —Joli L

Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in two sizes and seven colors).

17. A pack of natural reed fencing that'll provide your outdoor space with some much-needed privacy without making it feel like a fortress. Perfect for screening off your patio, balcony, or that spot where your neighbor's lawn gnome keeps staring at you.

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 $58.99+ (available in five sizes and two colors).

18. Or an artificial ivy privacy screen if you prefer something that'll add a little bit of greenery.

Promising review: "This is a great product for any outdoor space. It provides extra privacy whilst adding beauty to my balcony. The leaves were all intact and it was easy to install with the zip ties that came in the box. The fence has been stable, never falling down nor loosen up its grip. During rain, I've never experienced the leaves coming off/apart. If you're looking to spice up your outdoor area with faux greenery, this product is a great quality fence and highly recommend!" —C.C.

Get it from Amazon for $69.99.

19. A chic cooler that doubles as a side table to keep your drinks cool. Now you can kick back and relax instead of having to run into the house every time you want to crack open a cold one.

Promising review: "This thing is great and perfect to start off the spring/summer. We dumped a giant bag of ice in there and kept our drinks cold all afternoon. The swivel top is convenient and fun. Love that it’s a table and an aesthetically pleasing cooler." —Shana

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

20. A flexible adjustable mister so you can make sure you don't overheat when you're lounging around outside during a really hot day. Just hook it up to your hose and voilà! It's ready to go.

The mister will cool the surrounding area by 20 degrees, and it comes with an interchangeable flower-shaped misting head for a fun, whimsical detail.

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 $24.98.

21. Or a misting system if you're already sweating just thinking about summer and want maximum misting in your outdoor space. This easy little setup connects to your garden hose and mists a fine spray that can cool the area by up to 20 degrees. Perfect for patios, play spaces, or wherever else you'd rather not melt.

Amazon, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I love spending time outside, and we entertain on our patio, too. But when it's over 100 degrees outside, nobody feels like visiting. Until now!! I bought one and liked it so much I ordered another to cover both patios. They lower the temps to a more moderate level in just moments and don't use a 100 gallons of water doing it! I put mine along the top of our privacy fence and then put a fan in behind it and made it almost like having an AC unit outside. They're easy to put up and take down and come with convenient hanging hooks! I read the reviews people wrote about the heads getting stopped up, and they WILL, but as a plumber I'll tell you a trick to keeping them working like new: vinegar. Just remove the heads and soak then in a little straight vinegar then use a small bristle brush like a toothbrush or nail brush rinse them off and replace them in the mister tubing, and they should be like brand new." —Sonya Combs

Get it from Amazon for $21.20+ (available in several pack sizes).

22. Some solar-powered stair lights that'll keep your stairs from turning into a tripping hazard after dark. They're waterproof, they charge themselves (bless), and they'll make your stairs look like the runway your guests deserve.

Promising review: "Where I live, it’s so dark and I have no outside electricity off my screened-in deck. I wanted lights for my stairs for safety and found these lights, which work and look great! They come with everything you need to fasten them to the stairs so they don’t fall off as well. I even bought extra and tested them in the event that the ones that are currently outside get damaged for any reason, and they are no longer sold. Definitely recommend for the price, nice and bright, and easy installation. Plus, they last all night long!" —Brooke

Get it from Amazon for $30.99+ (available in warm or cool white light and six pack sizes).

23. A tabletop firepit because your outdoor space may be small, but your s'mores game? Absolutely not. This compact tabletop firepit burns wood or pellets with barely any smoke, so you get the ambience of a campfire without smelling like one.

Amazon

Promising review: "I love this little bonfire pit. I got this for evenings out in my outdoor oasis, and it's perfect for when you don't have endless time to spend but still want to enjoy an evening by the fire. Easy to use and enjoy!" —V. Heldenbrand

Get it from Amazon for $69.95+ (available in two sizes and nine colors).

24. A colorful tree swing for you and the tiny tots in your life to create Hallmark movie–level memories. It's waterproof AND has a weight capacity of 900 pounds, so the whole gang can comfortably and safely use it together.

Promising review: "We've had this swing hanging in our tree out back for two years now. Our kids, and their friends, LOVE it. I love that it's large enough to accommodate a number of kids/people, and that it's held up so well over time. Would totally recommend." —Krystal

Get it from Amazon for $45.96.

25. A wood patio set that's cute enough to impress your guests and comfy enough to keep them lingering. The slatted acacia wood and crisp cushions give it a clean, modern vibe, and the table is juuuust the right size for a couple of cold bevvies and a snack bowl. It's proof that functional doesn't have to mean boring.

Promising review: "I was looking for some nice small chairs to put on our front patio. We had camping chairs out there before, and they looked awful from the street. We ordered this little set and it has been perfect. They have great street appeal. They are extremely comfortable. The cushions are firm and supportive. We easily sit out here for an hour or two now each day. Cat and human approved." —Vik

Get it from Amazon for $74.99.

26. Some interlocking teak tiles if you want to easily upgrade your balcony's flooring. No tools or glue are required, the tiles just snap together. Teak is also a preferred wood for all outdoor stuff because of its ability to survive through all types of weather. It is one of the few woods around that contains a natural oil which repels water.

Bare Decor is a small business that sells teak tiles and accessories for outdoor spaces.

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

Get 10 sq. ft from Amazon for $81.99.

27. A quilted hammock because sometimes the only outdoor upgrade you need is one that lets you lie down and ignore your responsibilities. It can hold up to 450 pounds, comes with a pillow, and is a good excuse to cancel your afternoon plans.

You can get the canopy here and the stand here!

What's included: One pillow, two chains, and two S-shaped hooks.

Promising review: "There is nothing more comfortable than being cradled and rocked in a hammock that is comfortable with its padded quilted canvas, built-in pillow, and the size built for two. The craftsmanship and anchors give you a secure feeling." —Just.Rob.Stone

Get it from Amazon for $67.40+ (available in seven colors).

28. A three-piece wicker chair and table set for under $100 that doesn't look like it came from the dusty clearance corner of a big-box store. You get two cushioned chairs, a glass-top table, and the undeniable satisfaction of leveling up your outdoor space without blowing your budget.

Promising review: "I absolutely love this set. 😍 I cannot believe the price of it. It shipped fast, and was fairly quick and easy to assemble. It’s a hit; I get so many compliments by anyone who rings the doorbell." —Mrs.Mathews

Get it from Amazon for $89.99+ (available in five colors).

29. A waterproof outdoor curtain to either partition off space in your outdoor space or provide you with some privacy, like if your balcony looks directly onto someone else's balcony or something unsightly.

Pick up a sturdy rust-resistant curtain rod while you're at it!

Promising review: "These curtains are AMAZING! Beautiful and elegant. Hangs beautiful, very light blocking, keeps rain out of our Tiki bar, we can sit out there in the rain, and keeps the heat in on a cool fall evening when we have the fireplace on!" —Sara Bushendorf

Get it from Amazon for $11.95+ (available in 10 sizes and 16 colors).

30. A fully insulated, aesthetically pleasing cooler that'll be the hit of any backyard bbq you host. With a 45-quart capacity, it can hold all your favorite bevvies — because no one likes running inside for refills. It's got a built-in bottle opener, a drainage spout for easy cleanup, and a lid you can pop open for quick grabs or shut tight to keep things frosty.