Fall weather has finally made an appearance, which means it’s the perfect time of year for hanging out in the backyard on a crisp night. But to get the most out of those fall evenings, you should really think about updating your summer patio and make your outdoor space last well into the new season. Check out our favorite tips below for bringing your patio from the summer into the fall.
Herbst Fotografie - Kürbisse mit Weizen vor Holz-Hintergrund by Marco Verch is licensed under CC BY 2.0
The simplest way to transition your patio from summer to fall is to swap up your décor. Incorporating classic fall items like pumpkins, gourds, and even maize, and leaning on warmer colors will go a long way for making your patio feel more seasonal. Or if pumpkins aren’t really your style, consider using some fall foliage to bring seasonality and warm colors to your space.
Photo by Wyatt Ryan on Unsplash
With fall evenings come short nights. If you’re looking to create a cozy outdoor spot, relying on standard porch lights or flood lights just isn’t going to cut it. To really amp up your outdoor living space, add some decorative lighting options that will soften up the space while bringing in extra light. We’re big fans of café lights – stringing some from your house out to the edge of the patio not only adds soft light, but it also helps define your space.
Tri Color Mums with Pumpkins by Mike Krzeszak is licensed under CC BY 2.0
If your summer patio featured a lot of annual plants that are starting to die off with the colder weather, now’s the perfect time to make a small update to your garden. Think about planting some seasonally appropriate plants to bring some color to your space. We love using mums – they’re hardy enough to last as fall begins to deepen into winter and they come in multiple colors, making it easy to variety and texture to your patio.
There’s no better way to enjoy chilly fall night than snuggled up next to a fire. Whether it’s just warming your toes or roasting marshmallows for some s’mores, a fire element is the quintessential piece of the perfect fall patio.
For a simple update, consider adding a fire pit to your outdoor living area. Fire pits are a perfect gathering place – just pull up a chair and you’ve got an instant party. Coupled with their low profile, they’re an easy, and unobtrusive way, to add a fire element to your patio.
Or, if you’re looking to kick it up a notch, an outdoor fireplace is an impressive upgrade for any outdoor living space. Like a fire pit, a fireplace provides a natural gathering spot for friends and family, while also anchoring and defining your patio.
Photo Courtesy of Lela Johnson
You’ve transitioned your décor to fall, upgraded your lighting, and added a fire element to your patio, now it’s time to enjoy it! We love hanging out by the fire and snuggling down in some cozy blankets and pillows. You can use pillows that are designed for the outdoors, but for maximum comfort, we recommend bringing some indoor pillows and blankets outdoors with you – just remember to take them back inside at the end of the evening!
With a little planning and a little updating using the tips above, you can easily transition your outdoor living space from summer to fall and make it the go-to spot for another season!
