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Not to interrupt your gorgeous, everything-in-bloom spring vibes, but summer is just around the corner. It won't be long until you're soaking up warm days and lingering outside way past sundown — and if you're anything like POPSUGAR editors, you're itching to get a head start on the season.
In planning for summer fun, we've tracked down a few items to make outdoor living just a little bit nicer, whether you have a sprawling backyard or a city fire escape. Some, like the perfect affordable planter, are pretty practical; others are just for fun (but isn't that what summer's all about)? Keep scrolling to see what our editors are adding to their cart.
Studio3B Medium Planter
"I have a small sliver of patio space, and it gets incredible full sunlight — so it's all about the greenery for me. My summer project is going to be updating my plant situation — all new planters and a garden with lots of herbs are on the menu. I'm a fan of neutrals, so I don't want anything too bright or clashing. A couple of these green stoneware planters strategically placed in different sizes are the vibe — I plan to get some nice citrus trees growing in these puppies. And for the basil, rosemary, and beyond, this freestanding garden planter fits the bill." — Aviel Kanter, editorial director
Honey Can Do Bamboo Bath Mat
"Did I steal this idea from another New Yorker? Yes. Is it probably a building violation? Maybe (don't tell my landlord). After living for years on a busy avenue, I finally found an apartment that didn't face the street, so my view is a lush communal garden that all of the buildings on the block share. I haven't spent much time on my fire escape, but to make it more comfortable, I'm hoping to enlist a few bamboo bath mats. It sounds strange, but I've seen them in action before; not only can they make the underutilized space a comfortable spot to hang out, but the mats can also help me avoid coming in contact with the rust that's most likely overtaking my century-old building." — Samantha Sasso, editor
Franklin Sports Soft Bocce Ball Set
"My New York apartment doesn't come with outdoor space, but during the summer, my friends and I use the park as our backyard. There's nothing I like more on a sunny Saturday than playing lawn games, so I'm stocking up on a few portable options, like lawn darts and bocce ball." — Annalise Mantz, senior editor
Everhome Medium Solar LED Ceramic Lantern
"I'm a new homeowner, and as I'm approaching the first summer in my house, I'm determined to turn my patio into a bona-fide outdoor living room — a place that's just as comfortable for taking virtual meetings as it is for entertaining friends. For the latter, I'm eyeing these solar LED ceramic lanterns, which will add some much-needed light to late-night conversations — plus, the white color and rope handle match perfectly with my boho black-and-white theme." — Andrea Morabito, editorial director
Sunnydaze Santa Fe Steel Wood-Burning Chiminea
"After finally doing some work to make our backyard more enjoyable, I'm planning to spend a lot more time in it this season — even when the sun goes down. To keep bugs at bay, warm up chilly nights, and provide a whole lot of campfire vibes, we're investing in a wood-burning chiminea. This one has a rustic finish and a compact size, which is perfect for the small patio we have planned." — Christie Rotondo, senior editor