With the end of summer in sight, it's time to think ahead to fall. And although you're less likely to spend long, leisurely hours sunbathing in your yard, it's still a wonderful season to make the most of an outdoor living space, just before temperatures really drop.
Fall may bring crisper air and darker evenings, but it also brings a fiery spectrum of hues to our gardens. Many flowers are still standing strong, too, resulting in a beautiful backdrop for entertaining and relaxing alfresco. All it takes is a few extra details to cozy up your patio, and you'll be ready to embrace the season in both comfort and style.
10 cozy looks for your backyard patio
Create a gorgeous outdoor space with these seasonal looks.
1. Keep warm with a fire pit
'Having a fire feature makes your patio more functional, as it provides both a light and heat source on chilly fall nights,' says landscaping expert Joe Raboine. Plus, they're perfect for making s'mores with the family, he adds.
There are lots of options available, including sleek fire tables with additional lids, built-in fireplaces, simple fire bowls, and classic chimineas. Choose one that fits with the look and size of your space.
And if you have an outdoor fireplace but it's not quite cool enough to light it, you could take a leaf out of stylist Lisa Fontanarosa's book by filling the hearth with candles, instead. It adds the imagery of a roaring fire, she says.
2. Plant fall-blooming containers around your patio space
The start of fall is the perfect time to refresh those patio containers. Remove old and tired-looking summer bedding plants and replace them with jewel-hued varieties that will see you through to the first frost (and in some cases – beyond).
Lisa favors urn-style planters with trailing ivy and autumnal foliage for her patio, as well as lots of potted mums – a gorgeous fall flower for pots. Winter heath, as shown above, can also make a dramatic impact when planted en masse. Ornamental grasses offer a contemporary look, while dainty violas and pansies are perfect for fall planters on window sills.
3. Mix and match details for an artsy and eclectic look
This outdoor living space is fresh, functional, and full of eye-catching details.
Don't be afraid of a bit of mix and matching if you want to recreate a similarly eclectic scene – but try to stick to a considered color palette to maintain an overall sense of cohesion. For instance, here, teal green is used across the chairs, table, and numbered pots, while the orange chair is mirrored by the vibrant flowers.
Such opulent colors marry beautifully with bold backdrops. Now could be the time to paint a patio fence or wall midnight blue or black for an extra cozy feel.
Meanwhile, garden shelving provides the perfect opportunity for vertical displays of potted plants and fall decor.
4. Illuminate the darker evenings with plenty of outdoor lights
We get fewer daylight hours in the fall, but that’s no reason to spend less time outside, points out Joe. 'Depending on your budget and style, you have a variety of lighting options to illuminate your patio.
'For a simple solution, opt for string lights around your space,' he says. 'If you want to invest a bit more, you can install hardscape and landscape lights that highlight your outdoor features.'
For maximum impact, layer your patio lighting across levels, but stick to soft glows to keep the ambiance soft and inviting.
5. Embrace natural textures and neutral tones
For that effortlessly chic and organic look, weave plenty of natural materials into your patio this fall.
If you're looking for a patio furniture update, consider opting for outdoor rattan in neutral hues. This durable material looks stylish no matter the season, but it's particularly complementary to pillows and other accessories in tones of rust, parchment, and brown.
'Mixing a variety of textures really keeps a neutral backdrop from looking too flat,' says Kriss Swint, an outdoor living expert from Westlake Royal Building Products. 'Consider incorporating basket-weave flower containers, metallic-painted pumpkins or faux fur blankets.' Wooden and clay features can also be used for an earthy, tactile aesthetic.
6. Layer up outdoor textiles in autumnal colors
You can never go wrong with warm hues when accessorizing a fall patio. Just a couple of orange pillows can be all it takes to give your space a quick refresh, perhaps combined with a plaid blanket for cuddling up in when the sun sets.
If you have a covered patio, you could also create a garden screen with fabrics to provide more shelter and privacy. Lisa Fontanarosa, for instance, hangs red stripy curtains in her space for fall. These complement her end-of-summer flowers in nearby borders – including dahlias and astilbe.
7. Decorate a patio wall with a fall-inspired wreath
Fall wreaths are a simple yet effective way to transform a porch for the season, and they can be used to decorate a patio, too.
Although there are plenty of pre-made designs available to buy, you can also spend a few hours making your own. It's the perfect activity to celebrate the start of fall, alongside a spiced pumpkin latte, of course.
Whether you go for something extravagant or simple is up to you. Kriss Swint suggests adding burlap ribbon (this one from Ribbli at Amazon comes in multiple color options) which will give a rustic look, or you could use velvet for a touch more opulence. Faux berries and leaves make another seasonal (and long-lasting) addition if you don't have any to harvest in your own backyard.
8. Use fall flowers for outdoor table displays
From dazzling dahlias and yellow rudbeckias to ornamental grasses topped with delicate seedheads, there is plenty to enjoy from the cut flower garden in fall. If you're planning a get-together, arrange some in a large vase to decorate your outdoor table – it's an easy way to elevate any occasion.
You can use faux flowers and greenery, too, for an extra boost. 'Pop in an artificial sunflower to enliven any plant arrangement,' recommends Kriss. 'It’s hard to beat as a no-maintenance accent you can reuse every year.'
9. Decorate your outdoor space with pumpkins
Nothing says fall like pumpkins – so why not bring some of these colorful veggies into your seasonal patio scheme? They're certainly not restricted to Halloween decor.
Position a mixture of gourds in all shapes and sizes in vintage crates or baskets, placed around your outdoor seating space. A large painted pumpkin can be used in a seasonal centerpiece for your alfresco table, or place one or two beside your backdoor. You could even hollow one out to make a pumpkin planter for your cut flowers.
10. Cozy up your patio with an outdoor rug
If you haven't invested in an outdoor rug yet, fall is the perfect time to do so. They'll provide soft comfort underfoot, as well as extra texture and color to your patio's aesthetic. They also provide more definition to a space.
They are easily one of the most stylish ways to extend the use of your patio as the temperatures drop. Try one in warm or neutral tones for an extra autumnal feel, making sure it complements the rest of your patio accessories.
Once you've given your patio a seasonal refresh, consider turning your attention to the rest of your backyard. There are lots of ways to create a gorgeous fall garden, so that you can have the best view possible from your outdoor seating area.
Plus, there are some gardening jobs to tick off the list at this time of year, too – from fall lawn care to preparing your trees for the even cooler temperatures ahead.
