The warm summer nights are beginning to shorten and there is a change in the air. September marks the start of a new fall season. Although there’s plenty of things to look forward to in the fall including football, pumpkin spice, and Halloween, you might not be quite ready to bid adieu to summer. Don’t worry. This article will show you how to gradually transition your patio from summer to fall.
Tip #1: Add Some Cushions
Just because the weather gets cooler in fall doesn’t mean that you immediately have to retreat back into the house, but the chillier weather might mean that it’s time to get the cushions out of the storage box. Patio furniture gets a bit cold when the temperature drops, especially metal furniture. Look for cushions, blankets, or throw pillows in fun seasonal colors like plum, gray, burnt orange, deep red, or golden yellow to add a fun and cozy touch to your patio furniture.
Tip #2: Lay Down a Rug
Another place where you might feel a temperature drop is your patio or porch, especially if it’s made of concrete. Having an indoor/outdoor rug beneath your feet can help keep the area warmer as well as add a fun pop of color.
Tip #3: Light up the Night
Shorter days and daylight savings means that it can get darker outdoors a lot sooner. Fortunately, there are a number of fun ways to add lighting to your patio or backyard so you don’t have to end the festivities early. Use string lights to give your trees, fences, or walls an enchanting look, or add a set of candles, lanterns, or tabletop torches to an outdoor coffee table for an intimate glow.
Tip #4: Embrace Seasonal Plants
The time for bright summer blooms may have passed, but there are plenty of colorful and unique plants that thrive during the fall. Fill your planters with mums, marigolds, and black-eyed Susans for lovely flowers that will bloom during the fall, or fill baskets with gourds. Gourds are available in a variety of sizes, shapes and colors for unique color and texture. For a festive harvest look, use cornstalks, pampas grass, and pumpkins around your front porch to give new life to the entrance of your home.
Tip #5: Fire Up!
If you’re looking for something to fill the void of summer barbecues and camping trips, I have good news. Autumn is fire pit season. Whether you’re tailgating for the big game or telling spooky ghost stories around a bonfire, nothing beats a warm fire on a crisp fall night. Adding a fire pit can help keep social activities going even as the temperatures drop.
Tip #6 Add Privacy
Watching the leaves turn color and slowly drift to the ground is one of the most relaxing aspects of the fall season, but the downside is that once the trees are bare you might not have as much privacy as you used to. Fortunately, there are a few different ways to make up for the lack of green cover. The simplest is to add a privacy screen. Another option is to look for a gazebo with side walls. Not only will this give you the privacy you seek, but it will also offer some shelter from wind if the weather turns.
Although many people hate to bid farewell to the warm summer months, fall has plenty of fun and excitement to look forward to. With a little preparation, your patio will be ready for a whole new season of possibilities.
