If Your Yard Is Filled With Eyesores, These 30 Things Will Help Get It In Shape For Hosting

If Your Yard Is Filled With Eyesores, These 30 Things Will Help Get It In Shape For Hosting

BuzzFeed-Shopping·2025-06-11 05:04

1. A stain-blasting Wet & Forget exterior spray ready to obliterate mold, mildew, moss, and algae from your outdoor surfaces. Simply mix it with water and spray it on problem areas, such as walkways, decks, and siding! Rain and wind will do the rest over time, gently washing away stains without any wiping, scrubbing, or rinsing.

www.amazon.com

Tougher stains could take several months to go away, and if needed, you can re-spray 1–2 months after the first application. 

Promising review: "I have a brick patio. When I bought this house, it was covered, and I mean covered with moss. A good power wash each spring was never enough to stop the moss from returning, and month after month during the summers was a struggle, man vs plant. I did that for two years, cursing and complaining the whole time. This April, I did my spring power wash as usual and immediately treated this patio. It is now going into August, and I have not had even a wisp of moss this year — I mean nothing! I would recommend this product without any reservations. When you put it on you may think to yourself that it doesn't look like you really did much. It dries quick and looks the same as it did before, but wow, does it do exactly what it says it will do." —PM in NH

Get it from Amazon for $17.49.

2. A long-handled standing weeder because bending over (and over...and over...) to pull pesky weeds should be illegal. Not only will you save yourself time *and* lots of pain, but the yard will be spruced up and ready for hosting.

Amazon

It's made with a bamboo handle and powder-coated steel, it uses a simple lever system to make weeding easy.

Grampa's Gardenware Co. is a small, family-owned business based in Oregon making tools for gardening.

Promising review: "Oh my god, I friggin' love this tool. I bought this on a whim given we bought our first house and know nothing about caring for a yard. Boy has it come in handy. Our new house had a ton of weeds in the front yard and this tool helped me get most of them out in no time. In fact, the process of yanking out the weeds was strangely satisfying! I don't think anyone can say that weeding is fun but this tool made it as close to fun as you can get, especially when you see a long root along with the weed you pulled." —JG

Get it from Amazon for $39.97.

3. And a crack weeder tool that'll help dominate those ever-resilient weeds that manage to grow through the cracks in concrete! This sturdy tool can get DEEP into those tight spaces and get rid of weeds, moss, and thistles with ease.

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 (also available in multipacks).

4. A bottle of dog spot repair so you can revive your dead grass and finally take pride in your lawn again! This helps regrow the grass and reverse scorch marks caused by pet urine, digging, and general wear in high-traffic areas. It's a blend of seed, mulch, and fertilizer that promotes growth in tough spots.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: “We purchased this to fill some patches in our backyard that were damaged by our puppy. Works like a charm. The one caveat is that you really do have to water it a bit every day. Once it takes off though, it grows pretty quickly! Within one week of planting this, we had 1-inch long grass blades. One month later, all the patches are gone. Highly recommended!” —Jessica N.

Get it from Amazon for $16.44.

5. An ~aesthetic~ 2-in-1 cooler side table when you've been anxiously waiting for the arrival of backyard gathering season but don't want an ugly eyesore of a cooler ruining your outdoor space. Everyone will marvel at your brilliance for having a chic side table that also happens to double as a massive cooler for ice-cold refreshments. 

Amazon

It has a storage capacity of 40 liters or 10.5 gallons. You'll be able to keep 55(!!) 12 oz. cans cool for up to 12 hours in this thing.

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 aesthetically pleasing cooler." —Shana

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

6. Some plant supporters if you desperately need to zhuzh up your greenery after it inevitably starts drooping to one side. The best part? These supporters are green, so they won't stick out like a sore thumb either!

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "These plant supports each consist of two semi circles that fit together to encircle the plant. I have two snake plants that are getting taller and needed support. These plant stakes are working perfectly. They can easily be inserted into the soil to the desired height, and the green color obscures their appearance. My plants look prettier and stronger now that they are standing tall." —A.Consumer

Get a set of four from Amazon for $15.99 (available in two sizes and as a set of eight).

7. An instant mold and mildew stain remover spray to eliminate pesky mold from your patio furniture with minimal effort. Spray, wait 15 seconds, and watch the mold vanish! Bonus: It can also be used in the bathroom and kitchen so you'll never run out of ways to put it to use.

www.amazon.com

RMR Brands is a small business specializing in professional-grade cleaning solutions for your home.

Promising review: "It rains almost every day during the Summer in Florida. By the end of Summer, my cool deck was green with mold around theperimeter. I was about to pay to have someone power wash my deck but found RMR-86 on Amazon. I purchased a bottle and sprayed all the areas that had mold and mildew. RMR-86 started working within minutes right before my eyes. It was like magic! I'm definitely getting more." —Marie Moore

Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in three sizes and multipacks).

8. An expandable artificial ivy privacy screen for the unfortunate eyesores you have little control over, like your neighbor's messy backyard. Put this up to beautify your space *and* disguise the chaos ruining your view. You'll be ready to host in no time!

www.amazon.com

It's expandable from 7.6” x 48” to up to 100”!

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 loosening 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 (also available as a set of two).

9. OR! A pack of natural reed fencing so you can add some much-needed privacy to exposed areas while still letting light through. If you've been longing for a perimeter fence, this is the next best thing! It's perfect for patios, balconies, and decks that have one too many prying eyes. 👀 

www.amazon.com, www.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 $58.99+ (available in seven sizes and two colors).

10. A magical oil stain remover that'll help bring your driveway and paved walkways back to their original glory days just in time for guests to pull up! Simply apply the formula, allow it to dry, then brush it away to reveal a stain-free surface.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Changed the oil on my girlfriend's car and some oil spilled on my NEW driveway...which I didn't notice 'til four days later. Four spots all about the size of a dollar bill baking in the Arizona sun for four days. Put the stuff on (sits on the stain like pancake batter — don't be afraid to pour liberally) and let it sit from 6 p.m. 'til about 9 a.m. the next day. It dried and the instructions said to just sweep the stuff up. It broke apart with the broom and the stains were gone, just swept up the powder pieces — took about a minute. I WAS SHOCKED! Something that actually works on oil and it's easy. Absolutely NO sign of anything that was there. My driveway is smooth concrete so I can't vouch for what would happen with a rougher surface but whoever makes this stuff is a genius. If they tried to take on World Peace, Earth would be a better place." —AmazonBob

Get it from Amazon for $17.97 (also available in a larger size).

11. Scott's lawn food because I'll bet that patchy brown grass is *not* what you had envisioned while planning this season's block parties. This formula feeds your grass and contains iron to help give it that lush, green color you've been dreaming of. It works its magic in a matter of days too!

www.amazon.com

Make sure you have a fertilizer spreader to use this!

Promising review: "This product works. Our lawn was yellow and brown. We followed the instructions to the letter. Watered the lawn after application. After the third day, our neighbors noticed how green the lawn was. Happy to have purchased this product, and we bought another bag for the spring project." —dilimanqc

"I have been using this fertilizer for the past four years; has not burned the lawn, has a quick green up within couple of days. Proud of the way it makes my lawn look. I highly recommend." —hellbent

Get it from Amazon for $33.24 (available in two sizes and three styles).

12. Some interlocking teak tiles when you *truly* wanna transform your balcony or patio with a total makeover that'll have everyone swooning. Do you hear that?? The backyard oasis of your dreams is calling!

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

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 leftovers to make steps on the back. Very pleased and happy. May order more for an outdoor shower project!" —Adelia

Get 10 sq. feet of tiles from Amazon for $81.99.

13. A privacy screen if you wanna conceal those outdoor monstrosities you hate the most — you know, pool equipment, garbage cans, air conditioning units, and anything else that diminishes your curb appeal.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Super easy to install and took less than 30 min to put together, level out, and hammer in the stakes. My HOA doesn’t allow the trash bins to be visible from the street so this fixed that issue plus it matches my house trim." —Joseph and Anne Sawyer

Get it from Amazon for $160.02 (also available in additional styles/sizes).

14. Or this wooden privacy screen working hard to make your outdoor space even more beautiful — it has planters at the bottom where you can add a pop of colorful flowers while the screen will hide your AC unit, trash cans, or anything else that bugs you to no end.

www.amazon.com

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 budge. Also so, so easy to put together!! Took us less than a half hour probably." —Jessica

Get it from Amazon for $79.99 (be sure clip the coupon on the product page for an additional 10% off; available in two size and in packs of two).

15. A weather- and UV-resistant outdoor rug that'll do an amazing job of tying your space together so it's even more inviting. Now you and your friends can kick off your shoes and be barefoot outside without a care in the world! 

www.amazon.com

When it's time for a cleaning, simply spray it down with a hose!

Promising review: "A beautiful rug that polishes our cozy outdoor space. Great quality and very easy to clean. This is important, especially with two big dogs." —Meghan

Get it from Amazon for $62.99+ (available in seven sizes, nine colors, and as a two-pack).

16. A heavy-duty electric pressure washer with *five* nozzles for tackling all the dirty surfaces around your property you hate to look at. This heavy-duty washer can clean decks, fences, and driveways. It comes with a garden hose adapter, so you can start cleaning up your outdoor area ASAP!

www.amazon.com

The five quick-connect nozzles range from intense jet to gentle spray, so you can tackle all kinds of messes such as mildew, tar, rust, grease, mud, etc. The pressure washer also comes with two detergent tanks, a garden hose adapter, a 20-foot high-pressure hose, and a 35-foot power cord. The Total Stop System trigger will automatically shut off the pump when the trigger is not engaged, which can help save energy and prolong pump life.

Promising review: "I am immensely pleased with my purchase. It has been superb so far. Installation was a breeze. Feels and looks like a quality product. Did a good job on my car. Water pressure was superb. Has different end nozzles for various jobs. I used the recommended end nozzle for washing my car, and it worked perfectly. I am certain this item would last an eternity, but only time will tell. Certainly a bang for the money spent on this pressure washer. I have absolutely zero regrets. Connectors did not leak as stated in reviews from other purchasers. Yes, it is easy to cross-thread the connectors if you don't ensure it is seated properly before screwing them on. I would highly recommend this product." —Eric

Get it from Amazon for $199.

17. And a semi-transparent deck and stain stealer because it only makes sense to lock in all the hard work you just did. Wood surfaces will be stained, sealed, and protected from the harsh elements for the foreseeable future. It'll be so sleek and shiny, you won't be able to take your eyes off it, but in a GOOD way!

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "This was recommended to me by a guy who sold us redwood boards from his mill. It went on easily and it looks gorgeous! I stained a fence and two decks in the last three years and this product is far superior right off the bat. Love the richness of the color and the wood is soaking it up consistently." —I Know Jack

Get a 1-gallon can from Amazon for $32.99 (available in six stain colors and in 5-gallon cans).

18. OR an all-in-one wood stain and sealer — transforming your deck is a lot easier than you might think. The company literally calls it a "goof-proof" application, so don't you dare doubt your DIY abilities for one minute!! Use it on decks, benches, sheds, fences, and more.

www.amazon.com

Be sure to give it around 14 days to settle into its true color — it'll look darker shortly after application.

Promising review: "Applied two coats to a pressure-treated deck. Goes on effortlessly with a brush or roller. Spilled drops and brush strokes blend together. Absorbs into wood. Dark Walnut color goes on darker and lightens some. Repels water well. Nothing here that is going to peel up and flake off like some products that claim to last for 5+ years but only hold up a year or two." —Jricky

Get it from Amazon for $44.98+ (available in two sizes and nine shades).

19. Some rust-stopping spray paint capable of rejuvenating metal furniture and other surfaces that are looking very dull and depressed. This upgrade requires hardly any effort and it'll look like your stuff is shiny and new. Send out the party invites!!

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I used this to paint a steel patio table and it turned out great. I did not use a primer and applied two coats of this light blue paint over the old color (an ugly green). The table now looks like new and 100% better than before." —David Vincent

Get it from Amazon for $9.48+ (available in a variety of metallic colors).

20. An artificial landscaping rock with a natural texture and appearance that can be placed directly over pool pumps and other eyesores threatening to obstruct your view. If you've tried just about everything else to hide it, this might be the solution you need!

www.amazon.com

It also comes with two stakes so you can anchor it into the ground!

Promising review: "We had an eyesore in our front yard. The new sprinkler system was ugly. I saw this on Amazon and snapped it up. It is sturdy and large enough to fit right over the ugliness and blends in with our other large rocks in our yard. I love it!" —Julie Cohen

Get it from Amazon for $49.99+ (available in 10 sizes and six colors).

21. Aroll of perma-mulch to zhuzh your pathways and flower beds right up, especially if they haven't been tended to in a while. This faux mulch border is made from recycled rubber tires to help deter weeds while still allowing water, air, and nutrients to pass through and reach the soil! It stays put without scattering and can stand up to tough weather.

Wayfair

Promising review: "This faux-mulch border was just what I was looking for. I wanted something simple (not elaborate) to keep my bark in place. It looks good and now I need to order more : )" —Eva

Get a 1'' H X 120'' W X 4.5'' D roll from Wayfair for $33.20 (originally $39.95; also available in tree ring or pathway styles).

22. A revitalizing outdoor cleaner for handling that dirty walkway, patio, and even driveway without spending your entire weekend cleaning. Attach it to a hose, spray, let sit for up to 10 minutes, give it a scrub, and rinse the gunk away.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I first used this product about two years ago on the awning on my RV. That awning was so bad, that I thought I was going to have to replace it. After using this Scott's product as directed, the mold and mildew completely disappeared. This product definitely works and it works GREAT! What more can I say — it saved me nearly $500." —R. Latreille

Get it from Amazon for $17.37 (available in three sizes and as a two-pack).

23. A waterproof *and* weather-proof outdoor storage box so you can easily store anything you don't want scattered across the lawn, like cushions, kids' toys, and pool supplies. It's durable enough to withstand the elements and big enough to hide yard clutter!

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "[I] bought this so I could store my gardening items and kids' toys. It has been perfect. It is big enough to fit everything from my planters, gardening tools, kids' water guns, balls, etc. and it still has a lot of space. My kids use it as a bench to sit on as well. Durable and sturdy so far." —Dee

Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in seven sizes, five colors, and with or without a cushion).

24. A set of drill brushes that'll work wonders for banishing filth from your precious outdoor accents so they look brand new again. Attach the brush to your drill and go to town on stubborn grime — just in time for backyard season too!

www.amazon.com

Check out this TikTok of the drill brush kit in action. 

Keep in mind the drill is NOT included. This is a set of three brushes that attach to your existing drill. If you need one, check out this drill.

The different color attachment heads serve different purposes. The white is a soft bristle that's best for wheels, carpet, upholstery, glass, and leather; the yellow is a medium bristle that's best for bathroom, bathtub, shower, tile, and porcelain; the green is a medium bristle that's best for kitchen, stoves, cabinets, countertops, and linoleum; the blue is a medium bristle that's best for boats, pools, canoe/kayaks, hot tubs, and plastics; the red is a stiff bristle that's best for outdoors, siding, brick, garage, and gutter; and the black is a hard bristle that's best for grills, loose paint, furnaces, and industrial use.

Drill Brush is a small business based in New York State that makes cleaning brushes that attach to drills. It was started in 2007 by a former electrician who suffered from carpal tunnel syndrome and needed a way to clean without causing him harm.

Promising review: "I used to have to scrub my bird bath fountain using brushes. Then I discovered these! It’s still a difficult job but these do make it SO much easier. I’ve attached before and after photos. Pretty amazing! I bought the red ones, and they work really well on this concrete fountain but I’m going to get some of the black ones, which are a bit stiffer, to compare." —George Scott

Get them from Amazon for $18.95+ (available in six colors).

25. Some wood polish and conditioner when you wanna bring worn-down wood surfaces back to life ASAP. It's made with beeswax to help renew tired furniture, doors, and other surfaces that need a major refresh.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I bought this after reading about a million BuzzFeed articles recommending it. I wish I hadn’t waited so long because this stuff works! It’s amazing. I have a mid-century hand-me-down dresser that is a beautiful piece of furniture, but it was covered in water stains and other marks from decades of use. One coat of this stuff on a clean rag, and it’s totally refreshed! Now, it’s not going to fix places where the finish is completely worn off (you have to sand for that), but it will significantly improve the appearance of the wood. And it makes watermarks disappear. I’m glad I didn’t spend the time and money to have this refinished when a coat of this stuff has done the job just fine." —Maureen Foley

Get it from Amazon for $9.98.

26. A set of garden tool organizers because storing them in a cluttered corner of the yard is probably causing you more stress than you realize. This will tidy things up so you don't have to keep storing them in a messy pile. Bonus: They're predrilled and come with the necessary hardware for mounting!

Hang This Up / Etsy

Hang This Up is a small biz based in New Jersey that specializes in creative organization solutions.

Promising review: "We had a new shed constructed from scratch, and knowing it was always going to be used as a true “shed” (not a she shed), we wanted yard tools to be organized and nice looking. We bought these tool organizers and absolutely love them. Great quality and easy to install (the included drill bit worked fine for us). We couldn’t’ be happier with the results and highly recommend." —Joan Kilgore

Get a set of five (10 total pieces) from Hang This Up on Etsy for $52.50 (other styles available in their shop!).

27. A can of porch and patio floor paint to help restore your dull porch in no time. You'll no longer have to scowl at those stains and footprints that have been bothering you for years. No need to pay a pricey contractor for the job when you can do it yourself!

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "So easy to use and only needed one coat! Covered all stains and made the space look brand new! Didn’t cover cracks but looks amazing!" —Beth Price

Get a gallon from Amazon for $36.57+ (available in slate gray or silver gray).

28. Or some versatile anti-skid acrylic paint, which seamlessly adheres to most surfaces, meaning you can upgrade everything from stained brick paths to worn-down concrete walkways.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I tried several paints on my mom's deck stairs, and they all peeled within a year. This paint solved the problem. Heat, sun, rain, snow, no problem. And it really adds a nice grip to the surface. Definitely worth the investment for me." —DL

Get it from Amazon for $42.50+ (available in three sizes and six colors).

29. A pair of Fiskars 28-inch tree trimmers for anyone who has struggled to cut back tough branches without putting a LOT of elbow grease into it. These trimmers will simplify the task with power-boosting levers that do the hard work for you. Those limbs don't stand a chance against these blades!

Amazon, www.amazon.com

Promising reviews: "It's really easy to cut the trees. Took me only five minutes to cut half of the branches off the tree, so happy with this purchase." —VR

"DON’T invest your money in inexpensive loppers. These are the best! They chop fairly large branches like a hot knife through butter. I’ve had them for years and if they get a little dull I just take my file and sharpen them up." —Gail

Get it from Amazon for $28.48 (available in six styles).

30. A sleek firewood rack that'll actually organize your logs rather than having 'em strewn about your yard in a chaotic mess. The protective cover will help protect them from the elements too!

Amazon

This 40-inch powder-coated steel rack also comes with a protective cover.

Sunnydaze is a small biz that specializes in outdoor home goods.

Promising review: "Perfect size for our needs. The hoop holds about two to three days' worth of wood for our wood stove so we don't have to refill it all the time. The cover is awesome – it is large enough to fit over bulky or oversized logs, keeps them all dry, and protects the hoop from the weather too. Very happy with this hoop and cover!" —CMish

Get it from Amazon for $87.95 (available in three sizes).

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.

……

Read full article on BuzzFeed-Shopping

Lifestyle Technology