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Even as the temperature begins to drop and the days get shorter, it’s still lovely to sit outside on your front porch or backyard patio to enjoy the fresh air, leaves changing colors, and delicious autumn scents. With just a few simple tweaks and additions to your outdoor setup, you can create a cozy retreat where you can sip a warm drink and read or chat with family and friends. Here are some simple ways to transform your outdoor space so you can stay comfy throughout the cooler fall season.
1. Stay warm with a patio heater or heat lamp.
One of the best ways to stay warm as the air gets chilly is to bring out a heat lamp or patio heater. By warming up your outdoor space, you’ll be able to stay outside for longer stretches of time to gather, whether you want to dine al fresco, gaze at the stars, or host a fun game night with friends. Heaters can work for both small and large spaces, adding a cozy ambience to your porch or deck on a fall evening. They come in a variety of sizes, styles, and fuel types, including propane, natural gas, electric, and wood. Here are some of our favorite patio heaters, such as the AZ Patio Heaters 87-Inch Tall Patio Heater With Table, our guide’s best overall pick.
2. Set the mood with special lighting.
Create a magical outdoor atmosphere by setting up string lights, electric candles, battery-operated tea lights, or lanterns during the fall season. As the sun sets earlier, these extra light features will coax people to head outside and stay there longer to enjoy the mood lighting. Outdoor lights enable you to safely and comfortably go outside in the evening, and they can provide a warm glow to create an intimate atmosphere.
Depending on how you set them up, the lights can also draw attention to specific areas in your outdoor space, such as guiding people as they walk up steps, brightening up the dining table or seating area, or highlighting a stunning fall plant. Some of our favorite outdoor lights include Brightech Ambience Pro Solar String Lights and Roshwey Solar Lanterns.
3. Snuggle up with plush blankets and pillows.
Something as simple as adding a few soft and fuzzy throw blankets and pillows to your outdoor seating area can make spending time in your outdoor space more comfortable. Opt for fleece or wool blankets that exude warmth, such as the highly rated Bedsure GentleSoft Fleece Throw Blanket.
Drape blankets over outdoor chairs or a sofa in attractive colors and patterns that enhance your outdoor décor theme. This way, they will be within reach when you and your guests get chilly as the evening goes on. For throw pillows, you might want to choose a variety of sizes in fall fabrics, such as earthy tones like orange and gold, plaid, paisley, and leaf and pumpkin patterns.
4. Gather around a fire pit or outdoor fireplace.
Add a fire pit or outdoor fireplace to your outdoor landscape to create the perfect focal point for fall gatherings and a way to quickly warm up your entire body. These versatile features serve multiple purposes beyond heating—they offer mesmerizing flickering flames that create a serene, campfire-like ambiance; provide opportunities for roasting marshmallows and making s’mores; and artistically showcase the flames with added decorative elements like colorful glass that reflects the firelight.
Whether you choose a traditional wood-burning pit, a smokeless option, or a convenient gas fireplace, these features transform any patio or porch into an inviting gathering area that extends your outdoor living season. We recommend the Breeo X24 Smokeless Fire Pit and Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0.
5. Warm up the space with an outdoor area rug.
Keep your feet toasty while also warming up the entire space by rolling out an area rug during autumn. A soft, weather-resistant outdoor area rug can instantly add comfort to your patio or deck and help make it feel like an extension of your indoor living space. A rug also helps to elevate your space, adding texture and a pop of color to the aesthetic.
You can shop for outdoor area rugs at any number of retailers, including Target, Wayfair, Lowe’s, The Home Depot, Walmart, Amazon, and West Elm. A couple of our favorites include the Safavieh Striped Outdoor Area Rug and the Fab Habitat outdoor rug.
The post This Is the Ideal Way to Furnish Your Outdoor Space for Fall appeared first on Bob Vila.
