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Having A Nice Backyard Doesn't Have To Be Expensive — These Upgrades Under $35 Are Proof

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Maybe you’ve just secured your very first backyard, or you’ve had an outdoor space forever and have never figured out how to make the most of it. You may fear you don’t have the budget for improvements, but contrary to popular belief, having a nice backyard doesn’t have to be expensive – these upgrades under $35 are proof.

This list is packed with both functional and aesthetic ideas to help you make major and minor upgrades while sticking to a budget. A practical grill cover keeps your barbecue in fighting shape throughout the year, the large inflatable pool float allows you and your guests to drift in comfort, and a pair of bamboo gardening gloves are ideal for whipping flower beds into shape. If you’re on the hunt for outdoor decor, opt for a Moroccan trellis rug to add style or a solar bird feeder that transforms into a gorgeous lantern at night.

You don’t have to be a millionaire to improve your backyard experience. All of the affordable possibilities await you on this list.

1

These Magical Flame Packets For A Multi-Colored Bonfire

If you’re looking for something special to top off a backyard party, try these magical flames packets that will transform your bonfire into a visually stimulating rainbow-colored experience. All you have to do is place one to three unopened packets into the fire and wait for the show to begin. These are a fun alternative to your usual sparkler experience and for only $18 will make for a night to remember for your guests.

2

A Salad Kit That Helps You Grow Your Own Vibrant Veggies

You don’t have to spend a ton of money at the nursery when you can just opt for this affordable salad kit that will help you grow all kinds of delicious vegetables. The kit includes five peat-growing pots, five peat discs, five plant markers, and seeds for five different vegetables (red lettuce, golden beets, fiesta blend radishes, lemon cucumbers, and red globe onions). This is a perfect starter set for those unsure of their green thumb but willing to take the chance in the name of potential yummy salads.

3

This Grill Cover That Keeps Your BBQ In Shape Throughout Every Season

Maintaining your grill throughout the seasons will pay major dividends when peak summer grilling time arrives (not to mention winter grilling time, because that’s a thing). This grill cover protects your barbecue with a dual-layered fabric that’s laminated, waterproof, and UV-resistant. It has a built-in covered air vent that helps to not trap moisture and velcro straps to make sure of a secure fit.

4

A Deck Box Cover That’s Designed To Withstand All Weather

You wisely got yourself a deck box to stash away all your patio stuff, but when that summer storm hits you’re left with soggy, unusable gear. Do yourself a favor and grab this deck box cover. The weather-proof piece is constructed of UV-protected, heat-shielding polyester that’s also waterproof. As a bonus, it will also prevent any bugs or critters from making their new home amongst your patio pillows.

5

These Bamboo Gardening Gloves That Are Touchscreen Friendly

These genius and affordable bamboo gardening gloves give you all the functionality you need for days spent improving the look of your backyard. The material is both absorbent and breathable and will keep hands cool during summer, yet warm during winter. And even though you’re protected by the textured rubber coating, you can still easily access your phone thanks to its full touchscreen capabilities.

6

A Pair Of Lawn Aerator Shoes To Improve Your Grass

Skip the expensive gardening bills and take matters into your hands (or feet) with these lawn aerator shoes. They strap on to your existing boots using three secure buckles and are fitted with 13 heavy-duty metal spikes to ventilate your lawn, thereby increasing oxygen, water, and nutrient flow, and boosting its overall health. Plus, you’ll get those daily steps in at the same time.

7

This Garden Sprayer That Provides A Fine Mist

Forget setting up a pricey irrigation system and instead opt for this two-liter capacity handheld garden sprayer that costs less than $20. It functions as a pump that allows you to create a fine mist — perfect for watering in both your garden and your greenhouse. The nozzle is adjustable so you can choose a more focused stream of water if you prefer, and there’s a locking mechanism that enables a continuous flow of water if needed.

8

A Lightweight Hose That Expands With The Flow Of Water

Never fear a heavy, unwieldy, and completely kinked-up garden hose again. This particular garden hose is made of special elastic and latex material that makes the hose lightweight and allows it to expand three times its original length as soon as the water starts flowing. Solid brass connectors help to ensure a secure and leak-proof fit with over 6,700 five-star reviews raving about the ease of storage and lack of tangling.

9

This Water Sprinkler With Three Adjustable Arms For Maximum Reach

Go for maximum efficiency when it comes to watering your lawn using this water sprinkler that can cover up to 3,600 square feet. It has three separate adjustable arms with four nozzles on each and can rotate a full 360 degrees. Metal weights keep the sprinkler securely grounded so you don’t have to worry about it tipping over and wasting water and, if need to, you can connect it to other sprinklers to cover an even larger area.

10

These Fairy Curtain Lights That Add Magic To Your Backyard

These fairy curtain lights provide an easy way to add major magic to your outdoor space without spending a ton of money. The warm white LEDs cascade down in a thick curtain, making them perfect for wrapping around backyard foliage, hanging from a beam, or using as a backdrop against a wall. The lights feature eight different modes of light patterns as well as an eight-hour timer for a hands-off lighting scenario.

11

A Solar Bird Feeder That Transforms Into A Lantern At Night

This solar bird feeder is the perfect upgrade to any backyard as it draws gorgeous birds to your home during the day and casts a warm glow at night. It’s constructed of rust-resistant metal and features a waterproof solar panel. The feeder’s design keeps birdseed dry during wet weather and can even provide shelter for birds. At night, the feeder lights up as a lantern, producing beautiful, warm light emitted through the floral pattern.

12

This Patio Umbrella Light For Outdoor Evening Meals

Attach this patio umbrella light easily to your umbrella pole using the built-in clamp and you’ll have light to sustain you throughout your relaxing evening meal. A wireless remote allows you to control all your settings, including automatic timers and dimmer functions to control brightness. It operates on three AAA batteries (not included) and can last for up to 75 hours, with the LEDs themselves never needing to be replaced.

13

A Moroccan-Inspired Area Rug To Add Style To Any Patio

Add instant style to your patio area with this gorgeous and functional Moroccan trellis area rug. The low-profile rug is perfect for outdoors because it resists stains or any fading from UV rays and can be easily cleaned with soap and water. Choose from nine sizes and five elegant colors that are sure to match any patio decor.

14

This Popular Camping Hammock That You Can Quickly Set Up

This camping hammock is extremely popular and will give you hope that you, too, can have access to relaxing outdoor seating for a reasonable price. It has garnered over 39,500 reviews for its high-quality and lightweight parachute nylon material, ease of setup and breakdown, and overall comfort. It comes in 15 colors and includes everything you need to hang it up safely between two trees.

15

A Garden Kneeler That Flips Over To Become A Seat

If fear of aching joints is keeping you from tending to your garden, this garden kneeler will be your fix. It features EVA foam to protect your knees while you’re planting or weeding and flips over to transform into a comfortable seat. It even comes with a convenient and removable garden tool bag to keep everything you need right at hand. When you’re all finished, simply fold it up for effortless portability and easy storage.

16

This Bluetooth Speaker That Plays For 24 Hours

For epic backyard parties going from day to night to day again, you’re going to want this small yet powerful Bluetooth speaker with a 24-hour battery life. It’s IPX5 waterproof and features clear sound with the help of sensitive drivers. It even includes a special ability to analyze the low frequencies of a song and boost them accordingly for some seriously intense bass.

17

An Inflatable Pool Float For The Ultimate Lounge Experience

Make days at the pool feel even more relaxing with this inflatable pool float. It’s made of strong and durable vinyl PVC and inflates easily. The swan float (pictured above) is large enough to fit two and even comes with a patch kit to repair any leaks. If swans aren’t your style, it also comes in 10 other shapes like a pretzel, a slice of pizza, a popsicle, or a donut.

18

This Patio Chair Cover To Protect It From The Elements

Keep patio furniture in tip-top shape using this patio chair cover so that when the storm clears and the sun comes out you won’t have to miss a beat. It’s constructed of heavy-duty Oxford fabric with both waterproof and UV coatings to prevent damage from the outdoor elements. Its adjustable elastic hem cord creates a tight fit and an air vent helps to keep condensation to a minimum by allowing air to flow.

19

A Magnetic Screen Door To Let Backyard Breezes Flow Through

Harness the full power of your backyard by using this affordable magnetic screen door that allows all those delicious breezes to flow through the house. The middle seam is lined with 26 magnets to create a flush seal, permitting air (and pets and guests) to flow through while keeping bugs out. It has more than 55,000 reviews with many fans raving about how this screen lets them take serious advantage of their outdoor space.

20

These Solar Garden Lights For Effortless Backyard Lighting

These solar garden lights are an easy and eco-friendly way of setting up some lovely backyard lighting without having to deal with any wiring. They charge via the power of the sun and automatically turn on at night. Simply place them wherever you’d like, no tools required, and leave them up year-round as they’re designed to withstand all weather conditions. These lights come in money-saving packs of six (shown here) or eight.

21

An Insulated Ice Bucket For Cold Beverages All Season Long

Keep cool and refreshed while enjoying your yard with this insulated ice bucket for chilled champagne, cool beer, or lots of ice at the ready for endless cocktails. It’s made of stainless steel and features double-walled construction for superior temperature retention. A strainer sits at the bottom to filter out liquid from melted ice and the lid features a rubber airtight seal to keep contents as cold as possible.

22

This Grill Mat That Prevents Food From Falling Between The Grates

You’ll never again have to sacrifice those few precious shrimp to the space between the grates of your barbecue. This grill mat allows you to cook food evenly, getting all that great grill flavor, without risking losing food or creating a mess on the grates. It has a non-stick surface and is thin enough to give you actual grill marks, yet it’s thick enough to withstand up to 500 degrees of heat. Spend only $20 for a reusable mat that can be popped in the dishwasher so that it’s ready for the next grill fest.

23

A Trio Of Serving Trays For Elegant Backyard Parties

These reusable serving trays that come in a set of three are the perfect accompaniment to backyard parties and poolside hangs. They’re made of lightweight, BPA-free acrylic and are the perfect size for laying out sandwiches, snacks, desserts, and anything else you can imagine. Wash them in the top rack of the dishwasher for easy cleanup and stack them for effortless storage.

24

These Pretty Pillowcases That Are Designed For Outdoor Furniture

Add stylish pops of color to your patio furniture with these pillowcases that are fully waterproof and designed to be used outside. They’re available in six sizes as well as 21 different shades (such as khaki, teal, or light gray) to suit any existing patio decor. Their canvas polyester material features a waterproof coating and the pillowcases can be easily cleaned in the washing machine on the cold cycle.

25

A Scent-Free Mosquito Repeller That Works Up To 15 Feet

If you hate mosquitos but also despise fragranced sprays or candles, you’ll love this budget-friendly mosquito repeller that’s totally scent-free. It uses a 12-hour fuel cartridge to heat activate a repellent pad that then creates a 15-foot mosquito-free area. The pad uses a naturally-derived active ingredient and the whole device is battery powered for a cord-free experience.

26

This Portable Kitchen Caddy To Keep Party Supplies Organized

This adorable and portable kitchen caddy has all the compartments you need to neatly store all sorts of party supplies (brunch, dinner, birthday, or otherwise). Use it for cutlery and napkins or arts and craft materials. You can even use it to hold sunblock, sunglasses, or a book for a day spent by the pool. The possibilities are endless and this pick is affordably priced at just $17.

27

A Canopy To Keep Your Patio Cool And Comfortable

This sun shade sail can turn a sweltering day into a pleasurable outdoor experience. It attaches via strong D-rings to existing gates or poles (which aren’t included) using the included ropes and it can be broken down into a compact and lightweight size for easy storage. Choose from 13 size options and six neutral colors such as sand, cream, and graphite.

28

This Adirondack-Style Folding Side Table That’s Weatherproof

This folding side table is constructed to weather all the elements with a waterproof and UV-resistant coating, so you can leave it out all season long with no worries. It’s designed in the classic Adirondack style and will bring that easy-breezy summer feel to any backyard. Use it as a surface for food, drinks, books, and whatever else you might need during a relaxing afternoon outdoors.

29

A 3-Tier Party Tray That Collapses For Easy Storage

For backyard parties requiring a little something extra to display those tea sandwiches and mini tarts, turn to this 3-tier serving tray that promises to not take up any room when not in use. It’s made of sturdy plastic and twists downward to collapse into a nearly flat piece that you can easily store away in a cabinet. It boasts more than 4,000 five-star reviews and fans love the way this tray elevates any food into an elegant display.

30

These Artificial Flowers To Add Effortless Color To Your Backyard

Add vivid color to your outdoor space without the worry of maintenance with these artificial flowers that come in bright shades of magenta, white, and purple, and cost less than $25. They’re made of a UV-resistant material so they won’t fade with time and they can be displayed in hanging pots or planters. Buy several different styles for a unique, multi-colored look, and relish in the lack of maintenance required.

31

A Set Of Dinner Plates That Won’t Shatter

You might be shocked to find out these elegant dinner plates are made of melamine, a material that is break-resistant. Each under-$30 set comes with six plates that are conveniently dishwasher-safe. Though these can’t be used in the microwave, you’ll love how perfectly suited they are to any easy-going outdoor meal.

32

This Sofa Cushion Cover That Turns Any Couch Into Patio Furniture

Transform any couch into patio-appropriate furniture with this sofa seat cushion cover that’s fully water-repellent. It’s made of a polyester and spandex blend with lots of elasticity for a snug fit. Choose from three sizes and 15 colors, and toss the cover in the washing machine to clean it.

33

A Patio Umbrella Cover That Goes On Easily With An Included Rod

You may want to keep your patio umbrella in great shape but putting a cover on it may be literally out of reach. This umbrella cover comes with its own rod to help you easily wrap the material around your umbrella for a snug and waterproof fit. The cover is made of durable Oxford fabric and includes an inner PVC coating to protect against the elements.

34

These Flameless Pillar Candles That Are Safe For Outside

Use these flameless pillar candles to create the perfect candlelit ambiance with no need to keep a fire extinguisher nearby. They’re made of a waterproof resin plastic that resembles natural wax and each candle runs on two AA batteries. A handy remote allows you to turn them on and off, set timers, adjust their brightness, and choose between different modes, one of which gives you an authentic-looking flickering flame.

35

A Smart Outlet Hub That’s Rugged Enough For The Outdoors

Smart outlets aren’t just for use inside your home. This smart outlet hub has a special weatherproof design and includes three outlets so you can control lots of outdoor lights remotely via Alexa or Google Assistant. Easily set money-saving timers and schedules so that lights come on at dusk and turn off at sunrise. You can do it all from an app or simply through the use of voice commands. This pick has more than 10,000 reviews and one reviewer raved, “I installed this Heavy Duty Outdoor Outlet in my backyard and connected 2 sets of string lights that have. It works like a charm. I tell Alexa to turn on/off my backyard lights and they turn on/off. It is a very nice feature to have because in the summertime when we are in the pool until late we can pick up everything and come inside the house with the lights on and turn off the lights from the Echo Dot.”

36

These 3-Wick Citronella Candles That Last 75 Hours

These citronella candles offer great longevity and potency while costing you less than $25 for a pack of three. They’re made of all-natural soy wax that burns more slowly than regular wax, helping them to last up to 75 hours each. And with three wicks, you have the ability to control how much or how little citronella power you want – light one wick for less or all three for maximum mosquito repelling. As a bonus, when the candle is finished you can recycle the pretty tin or reuse it for other purposes.

37

A Set Of Marshmallow Roasting Sticks With Telescoping Forks

These marshmallow roasting sticks are designed with a stainless steel telescoping fork to create that perfect char without the fear of accidentally roasting hands or fingers in the process. They come in a pack of 12 and are conveniently color-coded so everybody can keep track of their own stick. Additionally, use these to roast hot dogs, sausages, or anything else you can stick a fork in, for versatile bonfire fun.

38

This Classic Outdoor Wind Chime For Relaxing Outdoor Melodies

Transform that perfect seasonal breeze into a gorgeous sonic palette with this classic wind chime. It comes in two lengths (28 and 38 inches) and includes hand-tuned aluminum tubes in the key of harmonious E-major. Choose from several different finishes including bronze, brown, silver, or gold, to match your backyard decor. You can easily install it using the included suspension cord and S-hook.

39

A Portable Projection Screen For Backyard Movies

Setting up your own outdoor film festival couldn’t be easier with this portable projection screen that promises not to crease no matter how many times you fold it up to store away. The large 150-inch screen comes in a 16:9 format and can support 1080p HD material for a high-quality viewing experience. Set it up using anything from hooks or double-sided tape to ropes or nails. When it’s time to take down, the polyester fabric can be folded into a compact size and will remain wrinkle-free for the next showing.

40

This Sheer Patio Curtain For Your Very Own Cabana At Home

Transport yourself to a cabana on a breezy Mediterranean isle by installing this sheer patio curtain that’s conveniently waterproof and comes at a $10 price point. The fabric material provides a bit of privacy while still allowing light to filter through and the panels feature rust-resistant grommets that fit any regular-sized curtain rod. Choose from three neutral shades (white, ivory, and beige) and 13 sizes, and relax the day away in your very own outdoor/indoor bungalow.

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