Deck envy. It’s a thing. Ditto for a case of backyard jealousy. It’s high time you join the ranks of yard MVP, because your backyard is the backdrop for beer trades, reading sessions, WFH marathons, and even more than a few dinner parties this summer. It’s all possible with some strategic backyard upgrades.
Maybe your deck deserves some TLC, or it’s time to overhaul your patio. From furniture to fire pits, TVs to projectors, and lawn tools to epic grills, here are the backyard upgrades we’re buying to make for an even better entertaining space for summer and beyond. P.S. Only have a small sliver of deck real estate? Check out this guide to transforming your tiny patio.
The Best Backyard Upgrades for Summer Entertaining
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1. FLOR Area Rugs
The same way a carpet adds warmth to your indoor space, your outdoor lounging areas can enjoy a facelift from these attractive area rugs. Because they’re composed of 50 cm x 50 cm “tiles,” they can be custom-made to fit your needs. Go bold with punchy hues and patterns, or err on the side of subdued with neutrals. We love the versatility; the area rugs can be laid down in covered spaces (think under an awning) or in enclosed structures (like a screened-in porch). The carpet is fine for regular vacuuming, as its top fibers are made of nylon and PET, while the backing is a vinyl composite (increasingly made from recycled materials). If you’re dealing with spilled wine or other stains, clean individual tiles in the sink with mild detergent.
There are backyard upgrades you want and backyard upgrades you need. New outdoor furniture falls in the latter category. This new DTC outdoor furniture brand—founded by Tuft & Needle alum—is one to watch if you’re in the market for seriously stylish chairs, sectionals, dining sets, and more. Gun for this handsome modular sectional with quick-drying foam cushions and a solid teak wood frame. It can be configured to fit your outdoor space’s layout no matter how many times you rearrange things. Choose from several waterproof, fade-resistant fabric colors.
Whether you’re using a fire pit as a gathering place on breezy evenings or to cook up dinner, we dig this modern silhouette from designers and developers Cortney and Robert Novogratz. They’re best known for their eponymous furniture and housewares line, as well as their work on American boutique hotels and stints on HGTV and Bravo. In addition to a 19-inch cooking surface (yes, this means multi-person marshmallow roasting), the set includes a mesh dome, steel lid, and rain cover.
SunbriteTV, Veranda Outdoor LED HDR TVCourtesy Image
4. SunbriteTV Veranda Outdoor LED HDR TV (Full Shade)
Why head inside to catch the game when you can watch TV on this 4K screen with direct LED backlight that’s up to 50 percent brighter than indoor sets? With SunbriteTV, you don’t have to worry about the elements thanks to its aluminum case that shields against rain, snow, extreme temperatures, dust, salt, and insects. You also don’t have to worry about boredom with a simple cable hookup and a weatherproof media bay to hold your Roku, Apple TV, etc. Built-in speakers are included in this model, but you can also add a SunBriteTV outdoor soundbar.
If you’ve been toying with the idea of erecting a pergola for a while, now’s the chance to treat yourself to the Pergola X, which features technology to open, close, pivot, and slide your pergola to control how much sun comes into your setup. The smartly designed louvers turn 170 degrees, so you can determine whether you want full sun, no sun, or somewhere in between—no matter the time of day. These customizable pergolas include add-ons such as fans, lights, screens, and more, and can be used in cooler months with features like wind sensors, and snow and freeze control. After all, backyard upgrades should last all year round.
This dining set manages to be equal parts playful and elegant—perfect for suburban backyards. The table is designed to sit four, but six can comfortably gather round for BBQs or brunch. Don’t stress if your crew is on the messy side: The synthetic wood is maintenance-free and the steel frame is weather-resistant. Opt among Charcoal Grey, Bright Yellow, Persimmon, or Bright White.
This grill touts itself as the first precision charcoal grilling system with temperature control. It combines the taste-enhancing properties of charcoal with the ease of gas—and its app can turn any user into a backyard BBQ whiz. Minimalists will love the grill’s clean lines and smooth edges, almost reminiscent of Smeg appliances. The temperature ranges from 250°F to 900°F, so fire up the pizza pack or pull out your finest grilling gear for some low-and-slow ‘cue.
What’s a deck without an Adirondack chair? Plant your butt in this sturdy, comfortable model—made from recycled plastic—and you’ll be hard-pressed to get up. It comes with a 20-year warranty, ensuring many happy backyard sessions to come. Pro tip: Tack on the ottoman ($109) for added comfort.
Laze the day away in this uber-comfortable swinging chair that’s both visually attractive and practical. The chair is constructed from weather-resistant steel and finished with a woven wicker. Now all you need is one of the hottest new books of 2021 and an afternoon away from your work computer.
For an eco-friendly splurge, we’re big fans of Kaiyo, the gently used furniture online marketplace that offers brands like Restoration Hardware, Design Within Reach, West Elm, Room and Board, and more. The company contributes to a more sustainable planet by buying previously owned furnishings and planting a tree for every order completed (as of publish date, Kaiyo has kept over 2,140,566 million pounds of furniture out of landfills). Originally $1,799, this all-season accent seating, handwoven by Indonesian artisans, is a real standout. It’s built to last thanks to weather-resistant polyester rope and a rustproof aluminum frame.
Enjoying a crisp, brilliant picture while lounging on your patio never looked better. This 4K Ultra HD projector is great for your next movie night under the stars (or if you want to take your gaming console outdoors for some fresh air). Featuring stunning color, high contrast, and superb brightness, this baby purportedly offers the lowest input lag on a 4K projector.
Bulbrite’s design-forward string lights connect to your home’s Wi-Fi. The smart LED bulbs use far less energy than traditional ones and are weather-resistant to boot, so you don’t have to worry about the elements. Personally, we’re fans of the antique finish with tinted glass and amber filaments or fiesta-style bulbs, but there’s no shortage of great styles and sizes to choose from.
[From $55 for 14-foot Black String Light with 10 bulbs; amazon.com]
Cut the cord with this battery-powered hedge trimmer. The 220iL comes equipped with a push-button boost mode that delivers 20 percent more oomph if you’re dealing with some gnarly bushes, while a specially designed dual-direction rotating head safely controls clippings and debris. At only 10 pounds, it’s also much less cumbersome to carry than other trimmers on the market and features a simple trigger for ease of use.
This six-pack of lights operates on rechargeable batteries—no unsightly wiring necessary. With an elegant stainless steel finish, the weather-resistant lights provide a warm white LED glow for navigating your yard, garden, or walkway at night. FYI: Sturdy plastic ground stakes are included with your purchase.
If you want to go the luxury route with your outdoor TV, it’s hard to argue with a 75-inch flatscreen. This one delivers an amazing QLED picture with direct-sun protection, 4K resolution, and weather-resistant features. It comes with three HDMI inputs, one USB port, and multiple voice assistants (including Alexa and Google Assistant), as well as Wi-FI and Bluetooth connection.
Do you leave your screen door open to let the tinny music from your Alexa spill out onto the patio? Invest in this weather-resistant speaker instead. Connect your smartphone to the speaker via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi (or spring for a second Roam to create a stereo pair) to blast your favorite music, podcast, or radio station. The speaker weighs less than a pound, so it’s easy to tote along to the beach, boat, or next vacation.
This grill-and-smoker hybrid provides 1,400 square inches of cooking space to smoke, grill, bake, sear, char-grill, barbecue, braise, and roast to your heart’s delight. We appreciate the large viewing windows, allowing you to check on your food’s doneness. The oversized backlit LCD controller has a temperature gauge and other cooking stats, plus Wi-Fi remote monitoring via the Cuisinart Easy Connect mobile app for a seamless outdoor grilling experience.
Throwing a party? These lights give you 56 different color combinations and six shades of white light to choose from. Get creative with your color schemes for sports-viewing sessions, holidays, and birthday parties. It’s all controlled by the Enbrighten Wi-Fi app or voice control with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
[$150 for 24-foot strand with 12 lights; lowes.com]
There’s no doubt when the weather turns colder as we settle into winter, stouts take center stage. And while we enjoy all its iterations: standard stout, imperial stout, and robust barrel-aged stouts, we think this malty, chocolate-filled beer’s close cousin deserves a little respect as well. Of course, we’re talking about the oft-overlooked porter. And the best porters, oh buddy, they’ll have you rethinking your seasonal bevvie of choice.
For those uninitiated, the porter style had its genesis in England like many other iconic beer styles. It first appeared in the 1700s and is (you guessed it) named after porters—individuals tasked with transporting luggage.
A confusing origin story
“Stout is the direct descendant of porter. In the 1700s, it was common to use the word ‘stout’ to refer to a bolder, higher-alcohol version of any beer style, much in the same way we use the word ‘imperial’ today,” says Zach Fowle, advanced cicerone and head of marketing for Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. in Phoenix, AZ. “Porter was the most popular beer of the day, and over time, “stout porter” became a popular variant. But by the late 1800s, demand for regular porters evaporated, and stout porter shortened simply to stout.”
But more has changed between the 1800s and today than just our penchant for wearing top hats. “Today, most brewers seem to market beers as either stout or porter based on vibes, rather than on any notable stylistic differences,” he says.
Specifically, porters are known for their dark, almost pitch-black color and rich, sweet flavor profile. If you were to drink a porter and a stout side by side, you might even have difficulty discerning the differences between the two.
Stout versus porter is an enduring topic of discussion in the brewing industry. “While there’s no debating the porter came first—and stout used to be called stout porter, so it was a stronger version of a porter—the lines have become very blurred over the years,” says Rob Lightner, co-founder of East Brother Brewing in Richmond, CA.
“I would venture that even among professionals, a blind taste test would often yield inconclusive results,” says Lightner.
The difference between porters and stouts
Porters tend to be on the milder, more chocolatey end of the spectrum, Lightner says, whereas stouts are typically a little stronger and more roasty. Of course, this isn’t a hard and fast rule
Fowle agrees, “Porters tend to be fruitier, sweeter, and less bitter than stouts, with cocoa and caramel flavors in balance with dark malt bitterness. And stouts are usually hoppier, drier, maltier, and more coffee-forward—and may even have a touch of acidity.”
Whether or not they fit neatly into boxes, one thing’s for sure: both make for incredible cold-weather brews.
“As the nights grow longer, drinking a light, summery beer just doesn’t seem right,” says Fowle. “Porter is the perfect style for the transition to winter: warming and toasty yet not too heavy, with flavors of coffee, chocolate, and pie crust that correspond with autumn weather and holidays.”
It’s the perfect time to broaden your repretoire. Sweet, robust, warming, and well-suited to the season, here are the best porters to drink now.
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1. Deschutes Black Butte Porter
There are few porters more well-respected than Deschutes’ iconic Black Butte Porter. It’s brewed with Cascade and Tettnang hops as well as 2-row, Chocolate, Crystal, and Carapils malts as well as wheat. This 5.5% ABV year-round offering is great for cold-weather drinking because of its mix of roasted malts, coffee, and chocolate. It’s a robust, subtly sweet beer perfect for imbibing on a crisp fall night.
The key to 360-degree muscle: 90-degree eccentric isometrics. It might seem like we’re throwing a lot of geometry at you, but the concept behind time under tension (TUT) is simple, says Joel Seedman, PhD, owner of Advanced Human Performance: “Perform the lowering phase of a movement in a slow, controlled fashion, usually 3 to 5 seconds; pause in the stretched position, typically around 90 degrees; then perform the lifting phase in a powerful yet controlled fashion.” Believe us, a time-under-tension workout can humble even seasoned lifters…Eccentric isometrics are like the pressure cooker of training.
“Rather than mindlessly performing slow-tempo reps, you’re using the increased time under tension as a means to fine-tune your body mechanics and alignment, which requires more mental engagement and focus,” Seedman adds.
If you want to forge functional muscle mass and strength while simultaneously bulletproofing the joints and connective tissue, give this 10-move, full-body eccentric isometrics workout a go.
Directions
Perform the following moves as 90-degree eccentric isometrics following the above protocol. Use heavy weight, but not at the detriment of proper form. Rest 60 to 90 seconds between sets and 2 minutes between circuits. Perform once every 2 to 4 days for optimal results.
Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength
Circuit 1
Marius Bugge
A. Barbell Back Squat
Set a squat rack up with heavy weight, then grasp bar and step under it. Squeeze shoulder blades together, then stand to unrack bar and step back with feet shoulder-width apart. Inhale, hinge at hips and slowly bend knees to 90 degrees. Pause, keeping natural arch in low back, then extend through hips to powerfully stand. 3 x 4-6 reps
Marius Bugge
B. Renegade Row
Start in the top position of a pushup with hands shoulder-width apart on moderate-to-heavy dumbbells (shown). Explosively drive right elbow back to row dumbbell toward ribs while balancing on opposite hand and feet. Pause, then slowly lower weight, stopping a few inches above floor. Switch sides after all reps are done. 3 x 5 reps each side
Circuit 2
Marius Bugge
A. Dumbbell Bentover Row
Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding two moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in front of thighs, palms facing you. Push hips back and hinge torso forward so it’s nearly parallel to floor, soft bend in knees. Dumbbells should be near shins. Drive elbows back to row weights toward ribs. Pause, then slowly lower down for 3 to 5 seconds. 3 x 4-5 reps
Marius Bugge
B. Incline Dumbbell Chest Press with Legs Raised
Set an adjustable bench to a 30- to 45-degree angle and lie back with dumbbells in either hand. Engage core and lift legs off floor, flexing feet. Press weights overhead, palms in. Slowly lower to 90 degrees, staying tight and compact. Pause, then drive weights up directly over chest. 3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 3
Marius Bugge
A. Dumbbell Bulgarian Squat
Stand lunge-length in front of a flat bench, holding heavy dumbbells in each hand by your sides, palms facing in. Rest the ball on top (shoe’s laces) of your right foot behind you on the bench. Slowly lower your body until your front thigh is parallel to the floor. Pause, then drive through your heel to stand. Switch sides after all reps are complete. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
Marius Bugge
B. Single-leg Romanian Deadlift
Stand with feet hip-width apart holding dumbbells or kettlebells. Drive right leg up, foot flexed, knee aligned with hip, making a 90-degree angle. Hinge at hips as you slowly lever your torso toward floor, lowering weights and driving right leg back for counterbalance. Hold, then squeeze glutes to reverse. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
Circuit 4
Marius Bugge
A. Pullup
Hang from a pullup bar using an overhand grip with legs extended and feet flexed. Engage lats and draw shoulders down your back, then pull yourself up until chin is higher than hands. Pause at the top, then slowly lower. Pause at bottom, then reset before your next rep. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
Marius Bugge
B. Kneeling Overhead Barbell Press
Hold a bar with moderate-to-heavy load at shoulder level with forearms perpendicular to floor. Kneel at end of bench with feet flexed to grip edge for support. Inhale, engage your core and glutes, then press the bar overhead, pushing your head forward so it passes your face, exhaling at the top. Slowly lower until elbows are at 90 degrees, then hold to maintain tension. Begin your next rep from here. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 5
A. Dumbbell Pushup
Place hands on dumbbells (this provides greater range of motion) at shoulder width and feet wider than shoulder width with just toes touching the ground. Keep head neutral and hips high to increase tension on core, chest and tris and reduce stress on spine. Slowly lower to the floor. Stop once elbows hit 90 degrees, pause, then push up to start. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
B. Biceps Curl
Stand with feet hip-width apart with moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in each hand hanging by sides. Engage biceps to curl the weights up, keeping upper arms still. Pause at the top, then lower slowly. Don’t let arms drop all the way down to keep greater time under tension on biceps. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
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If you haven’t picked up a jump rope since elementary school, you’re missing out on a fantastic cardio workout. Not only will you burn a ton of calories in a short amount of time—200 to 300 calories in 15 minutes—but jump ropes can also improve your coordination and agility. Better yet, jumping rope doesn’t require much space, so it’s easy to do at home, and it’s often more mentally stimulating than jogging or swimming.
Choosing a Jump Rope
When deciding which jump rope is best for you, it’s important to determine what your goals are. While lightweight speed ropes are popular for cardio-focused training, weighted or drag ropes will be best for those focused on strength training.
No matter what your training goals are, we’ve got you covered with this roundup of 10 jump ropes from top brands including Crossrope, TRX, Rogue, and more.
The Best Jump Ropes of 2022
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