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35 Cheap Summer Upgrades That’ll Make Your Home And Yard Way More Fun To Be In
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BuzzFeed and our publishing partners may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. Read More I’m the Home and Garden Editor at BuzzFeed, where I write articles that connect readers with the products, ideas, and trends that help make a house feel like home. Whether that means a rainbow window film that throws little light shows across your walls, a cordless lamp that follows the party wherever it goes, or an outdoor speaker that makes even a low-key hang feel like an occasion, these picks prove a good time does not have to come with a big price tag. Consider this your invitation to make every corner of your space feel a little brighter, cooler, prettier, and way more enjoyable to be in all summer long. Promising review: "These lights are incredibly stylish, and absolutely worth every penny. The lights really stand out, and I’ve gotten so many compliments already! They offer exceptional quality and ease of use, a rare combination. I'm so impressed. Highly recommend!" —Joanne Alladin Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in six lengths). Promising review: "These are so amazing. My electric bill has really gone down. This keeps the cool in and the heat out, and then nobody can see through my windows as they walk past. Also love the rainbow that comes across my floor when the sun comes up and goes down, it’s really pretty." —Tammy Dionne Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in nine sizes). Promising review: "These disposable wineglasses definitely exceeded my expectations. I purchased them for a Labor Day weekend wine party. Everyone commented on how nice they were. They are very clear and quite sturdy. I ended up washing them to reuse because they held up so well. They even snap together in a stack, which would be nice for travel or just to keep them from blowing around outside. I would highly recommend these for a party or outdoor festival, picnic, tailgate, whatever." —Kimberly A Promising review: "Wow. These turned out way better than I expected. Super impressed. So easy. Great investment. Worth every penny. Getchu sum." —Jessica Promising review: "This was a really pleasing purchase. I first saw it on TikTok. The product was received as described and pictured. The ice cubes are small and cute. The bin can hold about four trays, a lil over 200 ice cubes — that’s with the scoop inside as well. The entire product doesn’t take up much freezer space… I almost forgot it was there. Overall good purchase." —Gee ingham Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in three colors). Promising review: "I have had this pool for about two weeks now, and I LOVE IT!!! Was simple to set up; I got a little electric pump, and it took about 10 minutes to inflate, then about half an hour to fill with water. Pay attention to make sure you set it up on level ground, or it will be lopsided. I live in South Carolina, so it is already hot and humid, and I use it about every afternoon. It is probably good for two adults, maybe one adult and a couple of kids. The built-in seat and headrest are really quite comfy and relaxing. I will definitely buy this same pool again if it springs a leak and can't be fixed. If I could give it 10 stars, I would. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!!!" —kathryn j. Promising review: "Love the colors on this rug!!! This little rug is so pretty and fits my office space great. It’s so soft and doesn’t shed at all. Normally, I worry about getting tired of a pattern or too many colors, but I just love how this looks — it’s happy and adds character to my space. Best part was the price." —Kistler "I love it. Easy to clean, and they are soft. I've washed them a couple of times, and they are still holding up. The colors are bright and pretty." —Jen Get it from Amazon for $21.99+ (available in 12 sizes and seven colors). This is IP44 waterproof certified, meaning it can withstand splashes of water. Promising review: "This little lamp has so many uses. Need more light in the shower? Outside? Camping? Lose power? Need to charge your phone with no portable charger? This little guy can do it all. Has really good battery life, and I love the dimming feature. And it really is waterproof!" —Layna Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in six colors). Tiki Toss is a small business that specializes in family-friendly games for home and outdoor use. Promising review: "We all love this game. Everyone who comes over cannot stop playing. So simple and so fun. The product's quality and design are fantastic. Also makes a great gift." —jzek Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in two sizes). Knapps Knots is a San Diego–based small business owned by Anastasia Knapp who is quite possibly making the cutest macrame and wood crafts you've ever seen. Here's what BuzzFeed Shopping editor Jenae Sitzes has to say: "I recently picked up this macrame basket (in the Cactus shade) and *highly* recommend it if you're looking to add a cozy touch to your kitchen. As someone with a relatively small NYC kitchen, I need every bit of counter space I can get, and this lets me keep produce out without having to take up space with a fruit basket or banana stand. I'm a big fan of utilizing vertical space as storage, and this does just that; plus, it allows for ventilation to help your fruit stay fresh for longer. I'm constantly cooking with onions or grabbing an apple as a mid-day snack, and having them right there at arm's reach is sooo nice. BTW, these come with hooks that screw directly into a cabinet, but if you (like me) want to avoid that damage, I recommend using Command hooks — I'm using four of these small toggle hooks, and they've held up the basket *with* produce in it wonderfully." Promising review: "Absolutely loved it! Perfect if you have little counter space." —Jessi Get it from Knapps Knots on Etsy for $31+ (available in two sizes and nine colors). Promising review: "These went on smooth as butta! I’ve gotten so many compliments, and guests assume I painted it. Just have a box knife and patience. It’s worth the time investment! I’ve had mine on now for a year, and it stays on just fine." —Placeholder Get a set of decals from Amazon for $23.99+ (available in three sizes and six other patterns). Promising review: "Searched all over for a planter small enough to fit on my porch. I’m so happy I came across this one. It’s exactly what I was looking for, and I was able to plant six herbs in it. It’s made out of metal and feels very sturdy. It has a drain hole, which is a plus." —Christine Get it from Amazon for $41.38+ (available in three styles). Promising review: "These babies have transformed and reformed my slobby life. My dog sitter thought I got a new sink and fridge. I have never had more fun cleaning in my life — wait, I have never had any fun cleaning. But these magical creatures make it so freaking satisfying. No toxic stuff. No fumes. Just heavenly cleanliness." —Jimmy Jim Ereeno Get a pack of 40 from Amazon for $43.95. Promising review: "Soooo pretty and makes the room dance with glittery disco spots. It’s such a whimsical little addition to the plant window." —KB Promising review: "I love these!! They are inexpensive, collapsible, and easy to clean. I use them for barbecues and picnics to keep flies and gnats from getting on the food. A friend uses them in her garden, too!" —Yvonne Ruby Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (six sizes and quantities available). The speaker has 100 feet of Bluetooth range and can play up to 14 hours of tunes on one charge. Promising review: "Exactly as advertised. It’s exactly what I wanted. Perfect for picnics and small get-togethers. Pretty waterproof since I use it while I shower and it handles the condensation." —Sundi Get it from Amazon for $25.99+ (available in eight colors). Promising review: "Love this propagation station! It arrived quickly and was well packaged. I like how I can see the progress of the root growth, so I know when it’s time to plant it. The light is an awesome, cool feature too." —LydiaO 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 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 100 gallons of water doing it! 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 them 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). Promising review: "These outdoor inserts were perfect for my outdoor pillow covers. They have stayed in great shape through the summer heat and rain!! Great product!" —AMH "These are excellent! Even though these had been vacuum-sealed, I could tell they had more fill in them. They included instructions on how to fluff up. I do not have dryer balls, so I put my dryer on steam and medium heat, and WOW, they doubled in size and are extremely full! I had to really lean on them to get them into my pillowcase! Highly recommend." —the bee lady Get it from Amazon for $13.67+ (available in 16 sizes). Promising review: "These covers are so so pretty!! The quality of material is excellent, and the pattern and color are the perfect 'pop' of color on my deck. Paired with my aqua Adirondack chairs and pink geraniums, they’ve got my deck on point! The zipper is great quality, and they fit a 20x20 pillow perfectly — just the right amount of poof! I have bought other covers in this brand and have been very happy with the quality. These covers will NOT disappoint. A great buy!" —Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in four sizes and 10 colors). Promising review: "This mini (2-cup) cocotte looks so cute on the table. I have several, and they are all the perfect size for serving individual portions. They are well-made, sturdy, can withstand high heat, and they are dishwasher-safe. Did I mention adorable?" —SeriousShopper The mold-resistant tiles are sold in 11-by-9-inch sheets, and each pack comes with five in total. The sheets are finished with self-adhesive so you can literally peel and stick them to any surface. They can also easily be cut to size since they're thin and lightweight. Removal is just as simple — peel them off, wipe the wall down, and you're back to square one. Promising review: "So easy to install and they look stunning. People are shocked when I tell them that these are peel-and-stick. I'm very impressed with the look. Makes our powder room look very modern." —BonStuch Get a pack from Amazon for $37.98+ (available in 12 styles). Promising review: "A great gift! We received it as a gift weeks ago and used it for Valentine's Day yesterday. It was very easy to clean, the knives that came with it were perfect. It made a picnic so easy — we will be going on them more often." — Bennett Wilson Get it from Amazon for $34.76+ (available without or with bowls). And if you want a board that you can prep, cover, and pop in the fridge until it's time to take it on the go, this covered charcuterie board is a great option. And see the pitcher in action in TikTok restocking queen Kandice Breinholt's video on drink restocking. Promising review: "I have a tiny, cheap old fridge without much room and definitely without water or ice dispensers. I wanted something that could hold a fair amount of volume so that we could have cold water quickly available (without struggling with the ice cube trays). This pitcher holds a surprisingly large amount while also not taking up an awkward amount of space. Fits perfectly in the shelf on the fridge door so it doesn’t take any shelf space (obviously, measure for your needs to ensure it’ll work for you)" —Savanna Brown Get it from Amazon for $17.74+ (available in 60-ounce, 80-ounce, or 100-ounce sizes). The seven-piece kit includes a weeding fork, cultivator, weeder, transplanter, trowel, folding stool, and tool bag. Promising review: "When I saw this product, I needed to purchase it for myself. I have been into gardening lately, and I spend a lot of time outside. My back always hurts from bending over, or my knees ache. Having this chair low to the ground is so convenient! I also love that it comes with the tools and the tool bag attached to the chair. It folds flat for easy storage. I love it! —sheena bostick Promising review: "I love these bulbs. They make any room all warm and cozy. Also a fantastic night-light for the little ones. :) Get you some!" —Amazon Customer Get them from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in seven styles). Home Grown is a small business that sells heirloom seeds. Promising review: "I planted them a few months ago, thinking that I could fit the entire bag in one little flower bed. I definitely fit the whole bag in, and these flowers grew to about three feet tall. Next year, I'm definitely going to space it out a little bit more, but it was amazing to see a dense, lush field of zinnias, and the bumblebees absolutely loved them. I frequently would find them taking a nap on top of the flower heads. Great addition to a pollination bed. Water at least every other day to keep them happy if it's not raining there. You will be amazed by how well they do." —Victoria Promising review: "Adds a lot of visual interest for very little money." —Karen N. "Absolutely LOVE this outdoor rug. It gives my deck the updated outdoor-living-space vibe I wanted. It's padded enough that I can comfortably walk on it barefoot. It's also great because if my dogs trot across it with muddy paws, all I have to do is get the hose out and spray it off — good as new! I spend many mornings, afternoons, and evenings in this space, and I can say this rug helps make my outdoor living space feel like my zen-zone." —Kela Get it from Amazon for $20.38+ (available in six sizes and 16 patterns and colors). Promising review: "I really like the quality of this wallpaper. It is thick and has a very light texture to it. The stickiness is very strong, yet you can lift it to reposition as needed. I'm using it to line the drawers in my antique desk. This wallpaper would be great for decorating a bookshelf, crafts, closets, walls, or anything that needs a little decoration. I found it easier to install than the regular contact paper. It did stick to itself once, but it was easy to separate. Peeling a little of the backing off as you go helps it not stick to itself." —Valarie Gamma Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in two sizes and three styles). Promising review: "We are a household that loves our condiments! They are perfect for separating sauces, and also for portion control while sharing. I like that they are different colors too! Definitely comes in handy when you are separating sauces for wings and need to be able to tell the difference. They stay on all of my plates great, including medium saucers. I highly recommend!" —Rebecca H. Get a set of eight from Amazon for $9.99. Promising review: "I love this vase. It is double-sided, colorful, and perfect for the seasons. I have given several as gifts, and they are well received...you can't go wrong!" —Grandma Z "I will be putting this in my work’s white elephant gift exchange! Very stylish and unique, as well as sturdy and high quality." —Alyssa Wise Promising review: "I installed it, and owls who had been roosting in the branches of the same tree, moved into this owl box the very next day." —Dwayne Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in three sizes). Sok-It is a small business in New Jersey that makes drink holders to keep drinks cold when you're on the go. Promising review: "I adore this product! I have two for my car, one in my house, and bought two for a friend. I like to sip on a drink for hours, and this keeps the ice from melting for a very long time, and also keeps my hand from getting wet every time I pick up the cup. Also keeps a bottle of water cool if you drop it down into one in the car, and fits a lot of other fast food cups as well. Will probably buy more of these since I love them so much!" —Toni Blake Get it from Sok-It on Amazon for $14.99+ (available in five sizes and over 50 prints). Promising review: "This solar moon outdoor stake is so pretty and super easy to put together! I love the crackle design on the globe — it adds so many cool shadows to my yard. The light is nice and bright, lasts all night (around 8–10 hours), and still works great even after it rains. I’m really happy with it — definitely worth it if you want something cute to show off in your yard." —Tory * If Your Summer Plans Are “Backyard,” These 52 Products Will Make It The Hottest Spot In The Neighborhood * Things To Make Your Backyard ~The~ Place To Be This Summer * Affordable Products That’ll Help You Transform Your Backyard In Small, But Impactful Ways * If You Want To Make Your Backyard *Even Better*, Here Are 24 Low-Lift Suggestions 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.