The air is starting to feel crisp. The leaves are beginning to change color. Autumn is here.
Just because fall has fallen, that doesn’t mean you have to abandon your favorite outdoor space. There are still plenty of fun, easy ways you can enjoy your patio. Here are just a few ideas to help get you on the right path so you can entertain guests, gather with friends and family, or sit back, relax and enjoy your outdoor space well into the cooler months.
Cozy Up To An Outdoor Fire Pit
A simple, attractive way to add a little warmth to your patio is to add an outdoor fire pit. As chilly evenings beckon us outside, a warm, flickering outdoor fire pit can serve as a centerpiece to gather around with a mug of hot cocoa. Try building a gorgeous stone seating wall around your outdoor fire pit to add lots of style and function.
Drape Your Patio In Outdoor Fabric
Outdoor fabrics are a great way to showcase your style and add some color and texture to your patio. Use flowing fabrics to make outdoor curtains or a thicker fabric to create a canopy. Consider using deep, vibrant fall colors such as dark purple, navy, emerald, dusky orange, or dark reds. Also, be careful to select outdoor fabrics that are treated to resist mold and mildew.
“If your seating or dining area is on a fully covered porch or under an awning, homeowners will have a lot more leeway when it comes to fabric selection, though fabrics will still be subject to some fading and moisture, especially in climates with more precipitation,” advises Amy Bell, a home décor expert.
Add Autumnal Plants And Flowers
Adding some plants and landscaping to your patio can instantly add life and fall-friendly colors. Mums, asters, pansies, kale are all staple fall plantings, but there are many other options.
Davey Devlin, a landscaping expert in Dallas, Texas, suggests planting “coral bells or heuchera. They are available in an extensive array of gorgeous autumnal colors and leaf textures and are a very hardy plant that can survive in a variety of climates.”
Some heuchera is happy in full sun, shade, or anything in between. They are mounding plants and look great on their own or paired with either contrasting plants or in shades of the same color. Coral bells can look great with gourds, mums, and ornamental grasses.
If you want to involve the kids in the gardening project, consider planting them in pumpkin planters. Other fall plantings to consider when sprucing up your patio pots are sedum, verbena, ornamental peppers, and coneflowers.
Create An Outdoor Sports Hangout
If you’re the type of person who loves to hang out with your buddies while watching your favorite college football teams or NFL teams this fall, then transform your outdoor space into a sports lover’s destination. Comfortable outdoor wicker furniture and easy access to food and beverages should be part of the plan here, not to mention the ability to view the game from multiple points of view.
Consider these amenities for your sports-focused backyard:
- Grilling and BBQ station
- Circular outdoor patio set
- Mobile entertainment system that you can wheel outside when the game’s on
