35 Simple Backyard Upgrades For Spring

Mar 24, 2025

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.

This inflatable hot tub, tree swing, and Bluetooth speaker will give your outdoor space a glow-up that'll have you ghosting all your future plans.

BuzzFeed Staff

Promising review: "This is an amazing hammock! The bright colors, the sturdiness and the very easy setup. It took myself and my sister in law about five minutes to setup. I put this hammock in my backyard, had some visitors for a couple of weeks and they used it very very regularly, to read, sleep, and just lounge. The only thing that may bother some people is that when lying in it the sides come over and wrap you like a cocoon. But I love it!!" —Juliet, Florida

Get it from Amazon for $87.41+ (available in 16 colors/patterns).

You could even color-coordinate the flowers you put inside 🌈. Do note the size of these as they're pretty small! They're just under 4 inches tall and 4 inches wide.

Promising review: "Lovely colorful flower pots. Perfect size to hold a single flower, and they add such a nice pop of color to my yard. Very easy to hang up, no hardware required! I’m getting a lot of compliments on them. I bought several sets and planted bright flowers in them. I have them lining the inside of my yard and on the front of the house. They add a lot a cheer and homeyness for a simple and cheap project." —Maegan

Get a set of 10 from Amazon for $18.59 (also available in all-black and all-white sets).

Promising review: "I purchased these to cover the side of my house. Installation was easy and I left them outside for two days to charge. The light coverage was about what I expected from them and do the job well. The motion sensitivity covers all the side and lights turn on. It has rained about three times and still work great and hoping they last for a long time." —J. Argueta

Get a set of four from Amazon for $32.99.

Promising review: "These are incredible!! I like using the color feature in winter when it's drab outside, but once my gardens bloom, I stick to white. I have purchased these five times, and it's going to be six. I bought the first set two years ago and just purchased my newest set. I put the old ones right next to the sets I just purchased and had never changed the batteries on the original ones...they were still bright so I never needed to. They are beautiful!!" —mosey

Get an eight-pack from Amazon for $41.99.

Promising review: "This stuff is a miracle! I know it says patch repair but we had an entire bare backyard that needed tending to. I mixed two bags of this stuff with a 2-pound bag of grass seed and of course raked the yard and tilled to over turn the dirt, spread this stuff and watered 2–3 times a day lightly. I even forgot about it one day and still to my surprise I had nice grass growing all throughout the backyard. Our backyard is very shady so I didn’t expect these great of results. We also have a dog that runs around the yard constantly barking at airplanes and people who walk by. Still, this stuff is going strong, very impressed." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $19.47.

Promising review: "It is early July, and I could not be more pleased with this seed mixture. Almost every day since April, I have had new surprises in my garden. I have enjoyed alyssum, Chinese forget-me-not, zinnias, cosmos, and marigolds. I am beginning to see more forget-me-nots, poppies, pineapple sage, and Armeria. I am a beekeeper and, hence, was trying to plant some flowers the bees would like. I have an unbelievable number of pollinators busy among the flowers all day long. Today, I saw a hummingbird!! I am hoping to have these flowers self-seed and to have even more lovelies next year!" —Bio Teacher

Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in two sizes and as annuals or perennials).

Grampa's Weeder is a family-owned small business that's home to a standing weeder design that's been around since 1913.

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

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 $39.99.

It also folds down completely for storage!

Promising review: "This is great for the garden. Keeps my knees out of the stickers, and the padding is very comfortable, helps me get up and down — easy to maneuver around the garden and in between the rows. Haven't tried sitting on it, but i'm heavy, and this feels very sturdy under me. Pockets deep enough for tools and seed packets, easy to remove and wash if necessary." —Cpt Dragon

Get it from Amazon for $32.99.

Promising review: "I live in the woods. Gnats have been awful this spring. I sprayed my entire property with commercial-grade insecticide, but it doesn't work well for gnats. So I got these zappers out of desperation. I had read that they mostly kill non-biting insects. I have found that to be false. Every morning, when I empty my zappers, I find what appears to be thousands(!) of dead gnats, along with a few moths and beetles. After three nights, there are very few gnats flying around." —Buck Austin

Get it from Amazon for $39.99.

Promising review: "Got an outdoor can, the kind the mechanical arm on the garbage truck picks up and tips over, with the lid opening by gravity. Placed this on the inside of the lid, near the hinge to lessen the chances of it being scraped off during emptying and no flies/maggots! No apparent odor, just seems to put a big hurt on the fly party that used to be my trash can (litter box contents, remnants of meat, etc)." —Michael E. Bradley

Get it from Amazon for $9.84.

Promising review: "I bought this screen to watch movies outside on my deck. It was easy to assemble, so easy I didn’t even need to look at the directions. I assembled by myself. It came with bags to fill with sand to place on the base of each leg, but I ended up using large bags of rice I had instead and it worked fine. It also came with strings to secure each end in case of wind which I did and it was a breezy day and it held up great." —Sfat

Get it from Amazon for $79.99.

FYI, if you're making s'mores, don't throw these on until *after* you're done cooking with the fire. To get the show started, just add 1–3 of these packets to your fire, and you'll get up to a full hour of colorful flames before the vibrancy fades. You can add additional packets as needed!

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 a 25-pack from Amazon for $23.99.

Promising review: “We bought this for a rather large umbrella over our table in the back yard, and used it for the first time last night. We were less concerned about mosquitoes because we have a service to eliminate them — it's the bees that were disturbing our outdoor meals and events. My wife hosted a few friends last night, and they all fell in love with this. They've all been fighting with bees lately, and they were not bothered once by any bugs. Every friend bought the netting on the spot. Also, when you're inside the netting sitting on chairs, it's almost as if the netting is invisible; most of the time you can't tell whether it's even there, especially at night.” —Sara Olshanky

Get it from Amazon for $35.99 (available in two colors).

You can learn more about BTI, the bacteria in mosquito dunks, at the CDC.

Promising review: "Mosquitoes where I live are fierce! For the first time in years I have been able to enjoy hanging out in my beautiful backyard, which is full of trees and flowers. Why? Because I put out six containers of water with one mosquito dunk disk each. There are no more mosquitoes! This product is a miracle. The dunks are extremely simple to use and cost hardly anything. They last a month. Completely efficient. I will use this for the rest of my life. Thank you to whoever figured this out!" —Alberta

Get a six-pack from Amazon for $7.75.

Promising reviews: "This swing is so worth it! I recently bought my first house and bought this for my nieces/nephews. Not only do the kiddos love it but so do us adults!!! I’m about 130 pounds and have sat on it with my nieces and swung with no problem. My fiance and dad have both sat on it as well. It’s very sturdy. Easy to put together. It will keep your household entertained anytime you go outside." —Angelina

"Fun for grownups, too! We purchased this for our little grandchildren to enjoy and then discovered that with the high load capacity, we could swing with them, too! The product is sturdy, was easy to assemble, hang, and adjust the lengths of the ropes. It’s a great addition to our front yard and immediately became a neighborhood kid magnet, too! It’s only been up for a couple of weeks but has enjoyed hours of playtime." —Richard S

Get it from Amazon for $41.99 (also available in four other styles).

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 $9.99.

Promising review: "We moved from New Hampshire to Florida a year and a half ago. I knew Florida was hot but…I bought this so I could sit out on the lanai on the hottest of days (95+) and it did the trick! It provides a nice light mist that you can move in any direction. It’s a nice weight so it doesn’t move. It obviously cannot replace a swimming pool but it will keep you cool. My dog likes the light mist and has even fallen asleep while being sprayed! An easy alternative until we get a pool! Buy it, you won’t regret it!" —Patricia Harty

Get it from Amazon for $29.99.

Promising review: "I really researched and shopped around before I purchased this from Amazon. I cooked my first pizza on it and it came out like a pro!! We will be using this especially during the summer as it pretty much stay in the triple digits here (the Mojave Desert). I cannot believe it took less than 10 minutes to bake an entire pizza. I recommend that you go to the KettlePizza website to get pointers from some of the celebrity chefs that they have videos of. These pointers really did help me to cook a perfect pizza!" —Kim Suzanne

Get it from Amazon for $144.95.

Promising review: "I must say, I was a bit skeptical when I first purchased this, but after setting it up, I was absolutely amazed. I hooked it up just outside the back door at our main house, and I have incredible service in the garage apartment. Can run all computers, TV. It really is a wonderful device and definitely worth the money!" —Texas

Get it from Amazon for $34.99.

This set includes a retractable bat, an automatic launcher, six balls, a storage bag and all necessary assembly accessories.

Promising review: "This toy is simple enough that my 2.5 year old son is able to stick the ball to the hanging arm, swing, and hit it. I am not a professional but I assume it is helping develop his hand-eye coordination. He also got the hang of the launch pad. While he is not quick enough to set the ball up, launch it, and hit it all in one go, he does love watching it fly into the air."— Travis Rutherford

Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in blue or purple, and a larger set with two bats and two gloves).

Promising reviews: "We have a neighbor who keeps her Christmas light on year-round. This gives us privacy on our patio but it doesn’t completely block, which is fine with us. I love the idea that I can plant my garden." —Sandy912

"I normally hate assembling things but the instructions were so clear and the pieces fit so perfectly, it really was a breeze. The screen is well-made and sturdy. I hung flower pots on it as well as putting pots in the bottom. It’s holding up extremely well to the four or five times a week the flowers get watered. Hasn’t tipped or moved despite some recent high winds. Very happy with the look and quality!" —Lynn L.

Get it from Amazon for $179.99+ (available in two sizes and five colors, including vinyl or real wood options).

Promising review: "This was exactly what we needed for the backyard. It definitely provides enough privacy, and it gives the backyard a very nice ambiance! The leaves completely blend in with the other trees and plants we have in the backyard, and it looks like we made a huge upgrade in our gardening game. I'm now just hoping it can withstand the AZ summer and not fade with the sun (product description does state fade resistant). Don't be hesitant with purchasing; it's totally worth it!!" —Amazon Customer

Get a roll from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in three sizes). You'll need some green zip ties to secure them, too.

Promising review: "We put them out by the fire pit immediately and everyone loves them, plus the different colors help keep track of whose is whose if you get up and forget." —Amanda

Get a set of six from Amazon for $35.96.

Sweet Feeders is a family-owned small business that toured with their feeders at state fairs across Texas before moving the business online in 2017.

Promising review: "I have to admit, it took a few weeks for the hummingbirds to find this feeder, but now that they visit it frequently, this beautiful feeder is a source of continual joy. Easy to use, lovely to look at on its own, and a true wonder to watch the hummingbirds feed a few inches away. The perspective this feeder offers is wondrous. I have already purchased one for a friend who lives in a much more wooded region and she had hummingbirds feeding at it faster than I did. It's artsy, easy, genius and fun!" —Tristram

Get it from Sweet Feeders on Amazon Handmade for $29.99 (available in two finishes).

Promising review: "This product is the bomb, so much so we purchased a second one... Had outdoor game day with our children and this kept everyone outdoors. Easy access to beverages for all ages. Would definitely recommend to any outdoor party goers." —Leslie A. McClendon

Get it from Amazon for $84.49+ (available in brown and grey).

Since these are solar-powered, you'll need to place them in the sun to get them to light up. Between 6–8 hours of sun exposure will work if you want roughly eight hours of light. And if you don't want to do that, no worries, because they have a spot for an optional AAA battery if you'd rather power them up without the sun.

Promising review: "Absolutely love these lights. I bought these about five years ago and they were very loved, so I upgraded and bought more this year. They add such whimsy to your garden and beautiful ambiance. I love that they're solar-powered. I will definitely recommend getting these." —folse1

Get an eight-pack from Amazon for $19.99 (available in five colors).

Promising review: "This is definitely the most beautiful wind chime I've ever seen, and I love the sound, too. The packaging was nice, all glass pieces were well protected. I will definitely consider buying again as gifts." —Anita J.

Get it from Amazon for $24.95 (available in 11 color combinations).

Promising review: "Wow. When I opened the box and pulled it out, I thought it was bit small and surely wouldn't be that loud... BOY, WAS I WRONG!! This FREAKING ROCKS!!! Seriously don't hesitate — BUY ONE! The reviews were spot on! Perfect poolside! Best money I've ever spent on a Bluetooth speaker. The wife was skeptical, and then, I turned it on, and she was like, wow, excellent purchase, way to go!" —RIC78

Get it from Amazon for $27.99+ (available in six colors and a small clip-on version).

It sports 120 air jets and heats up quickly to a soothing 104 degrees — just imagine this on a clear night with a glass of your favorite chilled drink. Reviewers say about two to three people is the max for the most comfortable fit.

Promising review: "I use this every day…sometimes twice. Have it in my screened-in back patio so I can look out at my garden. So easy to put up and keep clean." —Robbi Uptegrove

Get it from Amazon for $451.99+ (available in four styles).

Promising review: "Needed to clean and reseal my brick patio. The washer was not a disappointment. I was so impressed with the quality of the washer, assembling was easy except the gun holder plastic was kind of hard to get clipped up. Immediately after receiving I put it to work and was running it all day to complete my patio cleaning. It is really great washer, the hose is sturdy, different nozzles for different types of cleaning were great. I even cleaned the plastic siding in the backyard; the green stuff from the walls came out without any soaps. I really like this power washer — as a matter of fact, it became my favorite tool of all." —Linas Salavejus

Get it from Amazon for $199.

Promising review: "I applied this product on an uncovered deck, which takes a beating from the sun and rain in the summertime and snow sits on the deck in the wintertime. I've tried several other wood sealers but nothing we have used holds up as well as this product. When it rains you can watch the water bead up and run off so you know that this product is working. I apply this product every summer to my deck to keep it in top shape. I also apply this sealer to the wooden floor of our covered porch and the boards shine like brand-new. Probably would not have to apply every year to the covered floor area but I do." —Bubba

Get a quart from Amazon for $26.21 (available in five colors, two shades, and a quart, gallon, or aerosol version).

Promising review: "This is an outdoor blanket, so I didn’t expect it to be super soft, but it really is very nice. Excellent quality. We put ours on the screened-in patio on outdoor furniture where it might get rain/sun/etc., and it’s been just fine. Highly recommend because it looks really good." —Cathy

Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in eight colors).

It has two large entrance doors and even internal hooks for hanging coats and bags.

Promising review: "It keeps cold wind and leaves out and some heat in. There are zip vents at top to let in fresh air and two zipper doors. This has extended the season for hot tub use, we were able to set up in early March in Chicago area. Would also be fun for around a small picnic table and to sit outside in the rain." —Lisa F1969

Get it from Amazon for $199.99+ (available in four sizes).

Promising review: "I’ve been meaning to get something like this for years. Our patio has no cover at all, especially in early spring when the leaves aren’t back. The sun is unbearable at times. We bought the install kit and used it to attach the two sides to the house and used a ratchet strap to attach the other end to a tree on the other side of the patio. So far it’s holding up well. We added lights which makes it super cozy at night and completely changes the feel of our patio." —Kaitlyn Tugend

Get it from Amazon for $20.98+ (available in 14 colors, nine standard sizes, and a variety of custom sizes).

By the way, some reviewers say this elevated bed is great for cats, too!

Promising review: "I am so happy that I bought this for my pup!! We hang out together outside and I don't worry about bugs/ants from the ground getting to him, he loves to lay on the hammock as I call it and he looks like a king! The other great part was it took NO TOOLS and I had it together under 15 minutes (and I'm not the savviest)." —Mary

Get it from Amazon for $34.95 (available in seven styles).

The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.