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Long live the staycation right outside your door.

As a Deputy Editorial Director for BuzzFeed’s shopping team, I love to get into the weeds of why a product’s worth the money by deep diving into customer reviews, and product-testing as much as possible.

If you've got a patch of grass or even a concrete slab just outside your door, BOY do you have some potential for making a lovely summer oasis. But you don't have to invest in a new outdoor couch or replace your old, lackluster picnic table with a newbie to feel like your backyard is getting a refresh. There's all kinds of zhuzhing you can do for much cheaper that'll have a huge payoff in your outside time — not your monthly budget. Check out our ideas for outdoor improvements and you might just compete with your dog when it comes to who never wants to come back inside when they're supposed to. 

Promising review: "These are so cute! We camp and go to public parks for picnics. I'll buy more for sure. No more worrying whether I have the table clips! Pretty durable, too." —Pam

Get it from Amazon for $15.99 (available in 18 patterns).

Promising review: "Decided to give these spikes a try, and let me tell you my azaleas are the star of my garden right now. The blooms are bigger, the pink is brighter, and the blooms last way longer. Typically, they bloom and they fall off quicker than you can get to cut and make a beautiful bouquet out of them. The blooms have been popping open wider and wider, and it’s been three weeks now. I will definitely buy this again. The pic to the left shows the blooms from two years ago, and the second one is this year." —KWheatle

Get a 12-pack from Amazon for $12.99 (also available for fruit and citrus).

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

Promising review: "I have a pug and a toy fox terrier/Chihuahua mix and they absolutely love this thing. I just leave it sitting on the living room floor and they gravitate towards it whenever they need to cool down (they sometimes even fight over it). Both fit simultaneously if they are in the mood for sharing the space. The mat is tough, too! I don't think their nails can penetrate it." —E Marsh

Get it from Amazon for $34.99+ (available in two colors).

Promising review: "This is a great product. I wish I had ordered one sooner. I have it installed in front of a French door that leads from my house to the backyard. My Labrador can now go in and out as she pleases while I’m home instead of constantly interrupting me while I try to work. The best of all is that no more bugs are coming inside when I leave the door open — not even the tiny mosquitos plaguing us in Southern California all year. Finally, this installed in like five minutes with the sticky tape and is very sturdy." —jessrubia

Promising review: "I cannot believe how well this worked. I am a CLEAN FREAK, and my nasty bathtub would literally keep me up at night. I tried every product on the shelf, and nothing worked. I literally scrubbed until my fingers were raw and still got nowhere. I sprayed this bad boy TWICE on the mildew stains and now they are COMPLETELY GONE!! I am so happy, relieved, and thankful, but also mad that I didn’t know about this product sooner. I absolutely, 100% recommend, and I would give it 10 stars if I could!" —Mackenzie Mayock

"Works great as advertised and I have been a repeat buyer four times in less than a month!" —Amazon Customer

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 $16.96+ (available in several pack sizes).

Several reviewers shared that this little pool kept their kids engaged for hours.

Promising review: "My kids love this. It is soo easy to plug the hose into and turn the water on and the kids can have hours of fun. Once the kids are done playing, I disconnect the hose let the water drain, and hang it over the porch." —Austin

Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in four designs).

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.

Promising review: "This product works well on outside tables to keep flies off of your food. We used it just last night, and it's lightweight and a great size. No assembling required; just add batteries." —SmileyReviews

Promising review: "I wanted to wait until the grass had a chance to grow before leaving my review, and I’m very pleased! The germination rate was quick, the grass came in thick and healthy, and it’s already looking great in my yard. Easy to plant, grows strong, and definitely worth it. Highly recommend if you want reliable results!" —Richard lademan

Get it from Amazon for $23.30+ (available in three bag sizes and in multipacks).

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 $34.95 (also available in a tree ring or pathway).

Made with a bamboo handle and powder-coated steel, it uses a simple lever system to made weeding easy. Grampa's Weeder is a small business!

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 weed 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

Our BuzzFeed Shopping Home and Garden Editor 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." 

Promising review: "Works really well for holding outside decor without wear and tear as long as its not too heavy." —Kitt Smith

See this bubble machine in action on TikTok. This bubble maker includes: bubble gun, two bottles of bubble solution, a rechargeable battery, a charger, and a plate to place the bubble solution. 

My colleague Heather Braga is a fan (as is her son, Noah): "My sister got it for my son for his birthday and we've been using it through all the seasons — bubbles don't discriminate! We broke it out during a Labor Day BBQ with a bunch of toddlers present and they all were bursting with excitement! I mean, just look at the GIF above — the bubbles really come atcha!!"

Promising review: "I ordered this for my daughter's birthday, and she has always loved bubbles! So when I found this bubble gun on TikTok, it was a no-brainer. The amount of bubbles that you get out of that is so fun and it lights up. It's easy to use and pretty inexpensive for what we wanted. Even the adults enjoyed it." —Tina

Get it from Amazon for $23.71+ (available in five colors).

The kit comes with the giant bubble wand, two pouches of bubble concentrate, and a booklet to help you become a skilled bubble artiste. 

Promising review: "Love this!! Easy for kids to use — my six-year-old son figured it out pretty quick — and fun for adults as well (my husband and I might have played with it as much as our son did...) Makes amazing bubbles. The bubble mix it comes with is fantastic." —Thomas Durant

Get it from Amazon for $15.95 (available in seven styles).

It's made to stay inflated at least 5–6 hours, and comes with a stake for easy securing to the ground once inflated.

Promising review: "Took a couple of attempts at first to figure out how to get it filled but once you do it’s easy (although I always feel a little dumb running with it to fill it lol). It’s super comfortable and even taking it to the beach it was easy to get the sand out of it. So glad I bought it!" —Jen

Get it from Amazon for $38.98+ (available in 21 colors and patterns).

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 need 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

Promising review: "Used these for the outdoor herb garden in photo. They were a little smaller than I expected, but definitely fit my needs." —Katy

Promising review: "I brought this with me on a camping trip in the Colorado mountains. Once the hummingbirds discovered the feeder, they were around it constantly. After one day, they would come to the single-ring feeder held in our hands. It was so fun getting to see the hummingbirds up close." —Debbie B.

Get it from Amazon for $6.99+ (available in eight colors and in sets).

Promising review: "These are so much fun! My brother has a sand volleyball court in his backyard and these are in the grass around the court. People love having their drink close by and the colors are so bright and cheerful." —Maggie

Get a set of six from Amazon for $43.95. 

Tiki Toss is a small business that took a classic hook and ring game to the next level by creating several unique ways to play it. 

Promising review: "We all love this game. Everyone who comes over cannot stop playing Tiki Toss. So simple and so fun. Quality and design of product is fantastic. Also makes a great gift." —jzek

Get it from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in six styles).

Promising review: "It cost $7 to replace an old one we lost. LOVE the large ring — my husband and I throw it in parks, get exercise, and can toss it really far. He’s left-handed and I'm right, so the new disc is flat and simple to keep aim (mine could use work, though). GREAT FOR KIDS! So much easier to throw/especially catch than regular Frisbee. Only wish they had a version w LED lights to toss at night. Great toy, great gift." —CDevlette

Get it from Amazon for $6.89+ (available in several variations). 

Just make sure that you're cutting *your* branches, lest you start a war with a neighbor and/or the HOA. 

Promising review: "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

Promising review: "Hurricane Ian did a number on my property (Polk County, Florida) and partially knocked down one tree, and another had made its home on my roof. This pole saw was a lifesaver, literally. The yard is mostly sand, so using a ladder required circus acrobatic skills, but this pole saw was able to do everything safely and, most surprisingly, quickly.I have a couple of hand saws that I’ve used on lower branches, and cutting through similar thicknesses branches required SO MUCH work that I'd tire out after a branch or two. This saw treated them like butter, and the whole yard was trimmed in about an hour total, moderate physical toll. Using the saw as a hand saw turned a good portion of the thicker branches into firewood in no time." —J. Marshall

Get it from Amazon for $33.99+ (available in four lengths).

Reviewers note that you should remove the bulbs before stringing up the strands and then install the bulbs.

Promising review: "These lights were perfect for my patio, I've recieved plenty of compliments so far. The Edison light bulbs and beautiful and offer the perfect amount of lighting for any occasion...the clips were ideal for my eaves, the overhang of the roof, which made for simple installation...now just need to find a dimmer capable of handling the required wattage and the package will be complete." —Brody Vins

Get a strand from Amazon for $14.79+ (available in six styles and lengths).

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 $23.99+ (available in warm or cool white light and six pack sizes).

Promising review: "Scummy water bugging you? I just got this gem of a product last night. Popped it into my hot tub and from the picture I attached, you can see that in just about 12 hours, this little Scumbug ate up all the oil and filth in the hot tub. The water not only looks better, but smells better too! Highly recommended!" —Mickey D.

Promising review: "Pricey but worth it! My patio cushion covers would have cost a fortune to replace, given their unique shape. This is the ONLY fabric spray that has EVER held true to its promise of preserving the fabric’s original soft texture. Shake Suddenly Sapphire well, it will need at least three coats for an even application because it comes out very fine. Example: I needed one whole can for the first coat on the tops and sides of two cushions. At $14 a can, it can get up there, but it’s still better than replacing cushions!" —Juanita

Get it from The Home Depot for $9.98 (available in eight colors).

Promising review: "My pool is awesome when it gets into the hundreds of degrees here in California. We decided to grab a 20x20x20 triangle and holy cow does it do a number on the backyard! Not only does it keep my pool better-shaded, but it also keeps the sun off of my back patio during the hottest part of the day." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $26.98+ (available in 14 colors).

Promising review: "I have been looking for something easier to trim around my garden beds instead of dragging out the weed wacker all the time. This is easy to use, lightweight, and does an excellent job! By far my best purchase for the garden." —Manda

Jonathan Alden is a small-batch design company based in Portland, Maine. 

Promising review: "I absolutely LOVE these gator tongs. Everything about this product is amazing…from the packaging to the craftsmanship!" —Zynala

Get it from Jonathan Alden on Etsy for $23.95.

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). 

It has three different brightness options so you can set *~the mood~* perfectly. It also requires AA batteries, so be sure to pick those up as well.

Promising review: "This light is great!!! It has three settings, to adjust the amount of brightness you need. Lowest level is great for just sitting around your patio table and having a couple of drinks with friends. Brightest setting is PERFECT for playing cards! We play cards a few times a month. We decided to try and play outside. There are two 70+-year-olds who did not complain that they couldn’t see. So, works great in my book! 😁" —Mandie Jordan

InBooze is a Grandville, Michigan–based shop selling all kinds of booze-adjacent products. 

Promising review: "So cute and perfect for our reunion watch party!" —Laura

Get the from InBooze on Etsy for $2+ each or $12 for the set (available in "Team Ciara," "Carl's a Mess," "But What About Schena," "Amanda Not Fun!," "WWJSD?," and "Don't Activate Me!").

Promising review: "Seriously SAVED my flowers from burning UP! It was so Hot this summer 2022, I was exhausted from going outside manually watering them! Best find!!!" —313Peach

Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in five sizes and in packs of two).

Promising review: "I am so in love with these, mostly use them for running, etc. I use them at night a lot because I’m going through menopause. It has been a miracle for me, I’ve tried all kinds of supplements they help but this actually works better for me. Also had a virus and used one to cool me down and help with fever. So they have so many uses, I suggest that everyone get these!" —Annette Looper

Get a four-pack from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in four color combos).

*  Ways To Create An Outdoor Oasis Worthy Of Its Own Magazine Spread

* Things Under $50 That’ll Help You Make Your Backyard Your Own Personal Oasis

* Cheap Summer Upgrades That’ll Make Your Home And Yard Way More Fun To Be In

* If You’re A Beginner Gardener, Here Are 27 Products To Help You Care For Your Plants

* Anyone With Basic Skills And A Weekend Afternoon To Spare Will Love These 32 DIY Backyard Upgrades

* If Your Garden Is Your Happy Place, Buying These 27 Products Will Feel Like A Little Treat For You (And Your Plants)

Plus, finds from Ikea, Lowe's, Walmart, and Wayfair.

BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way.

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.