26 October, 2017
Saying goodbye to warmer temperatures doesn’t mean you have to say goodbye to your patio. There are lots of ways you can still put your backyard to good use when the air gets cooler. In fact, fall weather is great for entertaining outside! Here are some ideas for prepping your patio for autumn.
1. Make it welcoming.
One of the primary functions of a patio is to extend the comfort of the indoors to the outdoors. There are several ways to do this, but one of the easiest is to make sure you have comfortable seating. An outdoor sectional can go a long way in terms of comfort and durability. Set up some small outdoor tables to have a surface to set down drinks or plates, and pair them with an outdoor rug to add some color and create a soft barrier between your bare feet and the cold cement. A rug keeps the aesthetic warm and inviting, and is an easy way to cozy up the space. You could also consider setting up some screen or bamboo walls to give the area a bit more structure and to help block cold drafts.
2. Stay warm outside.
It doesn’t get much cozier than cuddling in blankets around a crackling fire. With the crispness to the air and the earlier nightfall, a fire table makes the perfect centerpiece for your outdoor fun. Host a smore-making night where you and your guests sit around the fire, roast marshmallows, chat, and warm your hands with mugs of hot cider.
In addition, you may want to look into outdoor space heaters for those extra chilly nights when the fire by itself isn’t sufficient. Put some blankets in a basket where they’re easy to grab for extra warmth.
Another option is to build a roof of some kind over your patio. It’s an investment, but it’s one your family can enjoy throughout the year. Not only will it protect your outdoor furniture from rain and snow and contain the warmth a bit more, but during the summer it keeps it shady and cool. It can also help add to the aesthetic – a metal roof, for instance, can be incredibly therapeutic to sit under when it rains.
As the season moves more toward winter, it’s a good idea to invest in some waterproof furniture covers to protect your things from sun and weather damage while it’s not in use.
3. Add extra lighting.
As winter nears, twilight creeps up earlier and earlier each evening. Extra lighting on your patio will help you squeeze even more patio time out of the year. Not only will it let you stay outside later, but it’s also a safety precaution, especially if your patio has stairs. There are many lighting options to consider, depending on your patio setup – overhead lights, tiki torches, lamp posts, etc. String lights are great for adding to that cozy, magical feeling. If there are steps, consider installing low-voltage lights on railings, or marking the edge of the steps.
Don’t let the cooler weather keep you indoors. Make a few adjustments and enjoy the fall weather and your patio this year.
