30 Backyard Improvement Products So You Can Enjoy Every Warm Day Outside To The Fullest
A lawn repair formula to help revive that grass of yours that has been in its "brown era" for a little too long. This is designed to reverse scorch marks, pet urine spots, and any high-traffic areas that are looking like they need some special attention.
A stand-up weeder with steel claws that grip weeds and roots so you can pull them out sans back pain. Even though we love the warm weather, doing the yard work that comes with it can be a pain, and this makes it just a little bit less of a chore!
A hammock chair to add a little touch of White Lotus luxury to your backyard without actually having to spend a bajillion dollars. (And without all the drama and murder, ya know?) Plus, it has pockets for things like snacks and your phone!
A bee-proof and drip-free hummingbird feeder so even the littlest of creatures can join in on the fun in your backyard. They'll enjoy the nectar you put in there, and you'll enjoy seeing them fly by.
A portable 100-inch movie screen, because why be cooped up in a cold movie theater when you can have movie night right at home in the outdoors! It's lightweight, big enough for everyone to see, and super easy to set up and take down!
An outdoor drink stakes set, which give your drinks a safe place to be besides balanced between blades of grass, only to be knocked over by your friends. Everything from that adult drink in your red solo cup to your big tumbler will fit in these!
A pooper scooper so you can easily and quickly pick up those little landmines that are all over the lawn before guests come over. Your back will thank you, and you'll be so glad that you didn't have to get up close and personal with your pup's #2s!
An instant stain remover spray to bring back the glory days of when your outdoor furniture wasn't covered by dirt, mysterious green residue, and other messes. You just spray and wipe — even the most below-the-surface stains don't stand a chance!
An inflatable pool for some instant fun in the sun. Whether you're gonna be relaxing on the built-in bench or splish splashing around, you'll be so glad you have this thing for those very warm days. Plus, it's got built-in cup holders on the edge so you can sip in the sun all day long!
Or a dog/kiddie pool that will be able to withstand all the rowdiness from your pets and young ones after being cooped up. Plus, this easily folds up for convenient storage!
A high-voltage bug zapper since the warm weather also welcomes nasty lil' buggers like flies, gnats, and moths to your backyard. This will attract any insects within one acre, so you can enjoy the outdoors without the buzzing in your ear.
A hanging curved lounge chair that's got comfort written all over it. It's made for lazy afternoons with a good book, and doubles as your ultimate work-from-home upgrade. Tired of your desk? Take your laptop outside, kick back, and casually change that Slack status to "Lounging."
A Sun Joe pressure washer so you don't have to be like the Karate Kid with the constant "wax on, wax off" method when tackling your dull patio and not-so-fabulous fence. This handy dandy machine makes your home look brand new, all without making that expensive call to the professionals.
A stainless-steel insert to instantly turn your normal charcoal grill into a pizza oven! When you show your friends this genius thing, they may even let out a "Mamma Mia!"
A rolling pool organizer bin so all those noodles, floaties, and balls can have a designated place to live besides being scattered around the backyard. There are extra pockets for smaller items, and the mesh helps keep your pool accessories from getting all gross with mildew.
A can of concrete paint if you need a little refresh on your patio or deck. The paint's formula is designed to resist wear and tear, so you won't have to worry about major scuffing, peeling, or cracking. Reviewers say it's got great coverage and love how easy it was to apply!
Some restorative wipes so your doors and shutters can be brought back to life thanks to the special solution that improves faded, oxidized, and sun-damaged surfaces. Everything from your outdoor furniture to your fun home decor will be looking brand-spankin' new!
A 4-in-1 inflatable pool float you can use as a hammock, a chair, an exercise saddle, or just a regular floatie. Don't be surprised if you spend the foreseeable future floating on this in your pool with a cocktail in hand.
A set of color-changing inflatable pool balls to add a pop of color to your pool. Plus, they last up to eight hours on a single charge — perfect for night swims, backyard hangouts, or just making your pool look ridiculously cool after dark.
A folding balcony bar if you don't have room to spare for a full outdoor table set. This lets you get some function out of that fence railing, and it folds down when you're not using it!
A bamboo mason bee house that says "Bee our guest" to those lil' pollinators buzzing around your backyard. It'll look so cute wherever you put it, and it will encourage bees to help fertilize your flowers!
A garbage guard (lasting up to four months!) to stick to the underside of your trash can and release an odorless vapor that prevents bugs and insects from swarming around your garbage.
Some vented wine covers so you don't have to be constantly swatting bugs away from your Sauvignon Blanc. These still allow the wine to breathe, and one reviewer even says they act as good drink identifiers!
A sunshade triangle designed to block up to 95% of UV rays so you can enjoy some shade and try to keep cool while the sun does its thing. Reviewers love how expansive it is and how it's perfect for creating shade over a pool or a patio that normally doesn't get any shade!
A three-piece furniture set to make your backyard THE place to be. The soft cushions and glass top table are little details that make this set a perfect place to enjoy your pre-dinner glass of wine. Plus, you'll appreciate how these are durable enough to withstand rain and heat.
A weather-resistant wooden path because that dirt path isn't cutting it anymore, but you don't want to go through the hassle of doing a full weekend project to lay down stepping stones. This easily rolls out and creates a cute walkway!
An umbrella light so you and the besties can still enjoy the outdoors even when it's way past sunset. This easily attaches to the pole of the umbrella and has three brightness modes to choose from.
An elevated dog bed with a canopy for those who want to enjoy the outdoors with their little furry friends without worrying that they'll get overheated on the hot concrete or deck.
A hardwood oil treatment that not only gets your wood fence, deck, or railings looking shiny and new but also adds a protective coating to help prevent weather damage and regular wear and tear.
A pool vacuum that ~sucks~ in the best way possible! You'll be able to get all those leaves, twigs, and layers of dirt that are on the bottom of your pool, and reviewers say this is easy to set up!
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Yahoo
Your Phone Should Always Be Face Down When It's on the Table: Here's Why
Picture this: You're having lunch with a friend at the neighborhood cafe. They're sitting in front of you, but it feels like they're not even there. Why? Because they're staring at their phone. Everyone has probably had a similar experience, whether they're the one getting phone snubbed or doing the snubbing themselves. I've been guilty of paying more attention to my screen than my companion, and I feel bad about it afterward. There's nothing wrong with replying to an urgent Slack message or pulling up a funny TikTok to share. But I know I probably spend too much time staring at screens, and a lot of that time is unhealthy doomscrolling. These days, when I'm not using my phone, I try to be more deliberate about keeping it out of sight and out of mind. If I do need to keep my phone at hand, I always have it face down. I have a few reasons for making sure my phone screen is turned away. The first one is practical: Because my screen is face down and won't turn on for each notification, I can save a little bit of battery charge. A single notification won't mean the difference between my phone lasting the whole day or dying in the afternoon, but notifications can add up, especially if I've enabled them across all of my apps. If I'm in a lot of group chats, my screen might end up turning on dozens of times throughout the day (and that's on the low side since many teenagers have hundreds of notifications a day). Keeping my phone face down is also a good rule of social etiquette: If I'm hanging out with someone, I keep my screen hidden from view as a subtle way of showing that I won't be distracted by it. I don't want incoming notifications to light up my screen every few seconds, especially if I'm in a bar or other dimly lit setting. I want to keep my eyes on the person I'm talking to. "Eye contact is one of the most powerful forms of human connection. Neuroscience research indicates that when two people make direct eye contact, their brain activity begins to synchronize, supporting more effective communication and increasing empathy. This synchrony can be disrupted when attention shifts to a phone, even briefly," says Michelle Davis, clinical psychologist at Headspace. When I'm with the people I've chosen to spend time with, I want to be fully present with them. A sudden notification will tempt me to glance at, or worse, pick up my phone in the middle of a conversation. I also have a more personal reason for keeping my phone face down, and I suspect that other people have had this same thought: My phone takes up too much space in my life. I mean that quite literally. My phone is bigger than it needs to be. That's been especially true since I upgraded from my iPhone Mini to a "normal-sized" iPhone. Yes, I got a much needed boost in battery life, but I also got a screen with more pixels to lure me into the next news headline or autoplaying Instagram reel. A small smartphone isn't something that really exists anymore. My phone is bigger and better at grabbing my attention. It competes against my friends and family, books and movies, the entire world outside of its 6-inch screen. It often wins. But there's still one small thing I can do to minimize its presence: I can keep the screen turned away from me whenever possible. It can sometimes feel like there's no escaping from my phone. Whether that ever changes, or phones evolve into a new form factor, I can't say. I can't control everything about my phone, but I can control whether the screen stares at me when I'm not staring at it.
Fast Company
18-06-2025
- Fast Company
These 7 common email mistakes are making you look unprofessional
BY Before you hit send on your next email, pause for a minute. If you're like the average employee, you draft 112 emails a week, spending about five and a half minutes writing each one, according to this survey by Slack. If your messages go ignored or if the recipient requests clarification, you might want to consider how you're showing up in their inbox. Professionalism in email communication is important, says Dr. Laurie Cure, CEO of Innovative Connections, an executive coaching and HR consultant. 'Ultimately, we want our communication to reflect who we are, but more importantly, we want people to hear what we are saying,' she says. 'When they are lost in poor text, grammar errors, emojis that they do not understand, or a confusing message, we are left with misunderstandings that damage our reputation and credibility. It also requires more time to unravel and clarify messages that were not received as intended.' Whether you realize it or not, you're going to be judged by how you communicate—including your emails. Here are seven common mistakes that can make you look unprofessional. 1. You Get the Recipient's Name Wrong While it sounds basic, you start off on the wrong foot if you get the recipient's name wrong. Unfortunately, it happens all the time, says Alexa Rome, director of PR and Communications at Omnus Technologies, provider of IT support. The final deadline for Fast Company's Next Big Things in Tech Awards is Friday, June 20, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Apply today.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Yahoo
Commentary: A mother's plea to Trump: If you want to encourage a baby boom, give families a break
This column is the latest in a series on parenting children in the final years of high school, 'Emptying the Nest.' Read the previous installment, about last first day of school, here. My third and youngest child is about to graduate high school and I am thrilled. If I have done nothing else in this crazy life, I have helped hoist three marvelous kids to legal adulthood and sent them all off to college. For the last 12 months, I've been crawling to the finish line — why is filling out the FAFSA form always such a nightmare? — and here it is, shining before me! A world with no AP classes, basketball fundraisers or backpacks disgorging papers that I should have signed last week. I've been dutifully chronicling all the various 'lasts,' hers and ours — last college application, last high school final, last Monday morning — and I haven't cried once, not even while taking pre-prom photos of her with her friends-since-kindergarten (though my stomach won't stop hurting and somehow I've tweaked my back twice). I'm totally on top of it — the announcements, the post-grad mini-break plans, the bin filling up with things she'll need in college (if only I could stop forgetting where I put things I just had in my hand). Parenting most certainly will not end when she steps off that graduation stage, but it is lovely that all the emails from her college of choice are addressed to her. As a lowly CC, I am no longer the nexus of information or the potential recipient of furious commentary — 'Oh my God, mom, do you even read your emails?' (Someday, she too will know what it is like to have three email addresses, Slack and a phone that continually buzzes with texts and calls). Where did I put my phone anyway? Read more: To make peace with becoming an empty-nester, I had to be at peace with myself Sure, there is a grimy section of wall outside our bedroom that I cannot bring myself to clean because it bears the rising height marks of my kids and, yes, I may have been staring at it a bit more frequently. But I knew what I was getting into. Motherhood is a permanent gig, but if we're lucky, after 18 years or so (or in my case, a cumulative 27), much of it will be done remotely. And not to steal my daughter's thunder, but I can't help thinking that her father and I should get matching watches or at the very least a cake. I'm about to sit through a bunch of speeches from 18-year-olds offering words of inspiration and advice, and it seems to me that graduating parents deserve their own ceremony (albeit with a tighter time schedule, more comfortable chairs and, for those who imbibe, an open bar). Especially now. As I contemplate the end of almost three decades of frontline parenting, many around the world are concerned about the fact that an increasing number of young folks are deciding to give the whole thing a pass. Declining birth rates have sparked such dire predictions of a collapsing workforce and shrinking tax base that President Trump recently announced that he and his administration are looking into ways to foster a new baby boom. While I am not convinced that this planet needs more people stripping its resources and raising its temperature, I wouldn't mind (after a bit of a breather) having a few grandchildren. So as I emerge from the trenches, I have a few valedictory thoughts about how to make parenthood more appealing for my children and yours. Read more: I thought I'd be happy to finish motherhood's many chores. Then I choked up over laundry Take climate change seriously. Too many families have already been displaced — or worse — by fire, flood, tornado, drought and all the extreme weather events that are increasing as we hit our climate tipping point. You want people to have kids? Help ensure they will have a habitable planet on which to live. Young folks may have loved all those YA dystopian tales, but no one wants to populate the Hunger Games. Make abortion legal in all 50 states again. At least 10-20% of pregnancies end in miscarriage. Since the overturning of Roe vs. Wade, many emergency rooms, fearing legal reprisal, are turning away women who are experiencing miscarriages while some states are prosecuting women whose miscarriages are deemed 'suspicious.' You can't have a baby boom if women are afraid to get pregnant. Likewise, ensure that all Americans have decent healthcare. Having a child without insurance is too expensive and too dangerous. Full stop. Mandate parental and family leave. The United States is one of only seven countries that does not have national policies guaranteeing parental leave (the others being Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea and Suriname). It is disingenuous of any elected official to posture about increasing the birth rate or valuing families while refusing to create or vote for national parental leave. Fund affordable and licensed daycare. In more than 65% of two-parent households, both parents work outside the home, as do 75% of single mothers. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, American families spend an average of 8 to 16% of their income on full-time daycare for just one child. If the Trump administration is sincere in its desire to encourage at least one parent to remain in the home, it should offer a financial incentive (including benefits) comparable to outside employment. Increase legal immigration and clear the path to citizenship. Not only does this grow the workforce and the tax base, but many immigrants come from countries where big families are still the norm. Take care of the kids we already have first. According to the U.S. Department of Education, there are 400,000 children in foster care at any given time. Our national child poverty rate is 16.3% and, according to the USDA, one in five children experience food insecurity. Those graduating college this year face the worst job market, and some of the highest consumer prices, in recent memory. None of these things encourage reproduction. Stop pressuring people to have children. Some people are just not interested and that is fine. Having a family, and keeping it together, is hard enough even when the parents are in it 100%. Every child should be wanted for their own wonderful, infuriating, adorable self, just as every family should be supported by any government that wants to see this country flourish. Read more: Column: In defense of helicopter parents I cannot imagine life without my children. But it is difficult and exhausting work to be in charge of vulnerable creatures whose bodies and brains are in ever-shifting stages of development. People who for years are literally incapable of reason, much less getting their own dinner or finding the six baby gerbils that 'somehow' got loose in the bedroom. People who see both going to bed and getting up as torture (except on weekends when they're up at dawn). Who beg for a dog and then look at you as if you're Miss Trunchbull when you ask them to take it for a walk. For years, children rely on their parents for every single thing every single day. While we get ulcers worrying about jobs, bills and whether or not our fire insurance will be revoked, they are throwing fits over who sits where in the car or why their T-shirt feels scratchy. And then, just when they are actually capable of, say, folding sheets, picking up groceries or helping us set up our new phone, they up and leave home! Honestly, when you consider the job description (which, as it turns out, includes a mild but comprehensive physical breakdown when the last one graduates), it's a wonder anyone signs up for it at all. So as I prepare to launch my youngest into the wide world with all the joy and bittersweet sorrow one mother's heart can hold, I am happy to give the president the most obvious piece of advice he will ever receive. If you want to increase this country's birth rate, do everything you can to make it easier to be a parent. And please, for the love of God, fix the FAFSA website. Get notified when the biggest stories in Hollywood, culture and entertainment go live. Sign up for L.A. Times entertainment alerts. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
