Don’t you love outdoor dining and evenings on the patio with friends and family? It’s part of what makes summer great! However, as September rolls around and the nights grow cooler, some people bid farewell to patio season and retreat indoors. You don’t have to!

With patio and deck additions in lighting and heating, you can keep the cookouts coming. Gorgeous fall colors and refreshing cooler air make for excellent outdoor enjoyment! Here are a few upgrades you can make to keep the good times rolling a few extra months every year!

The Look of Autumn

Fall doesn’t look the same as summer, and your autumn patio decor should reflect the sights and colors of the season. A great place to start is by changing some pillows and cushions. Oranges, yellows and deep reds, along with plaids and other seasonal patterns, make your outdoor space echo the natural colors that surround you. Also, there’s nothing like an autumnal outdoor rug to underline a homey feel.

Decor such as wicker baskets and fall tablecloths emphasizes the ambiance of the harvest season. However, to achieve a natural autumnal feel, there’s nothing like nature itself. Think pumpkins, gourds, corn cobs, cornstalks and fall leaves. You can choose the kind that grows out of the ground, or you might opt for artificial gourds that you can use year after year. A white pumpkin or gourd provides a refreshing accent.

Fall flowers are another winning choice, and once again either the natural or artificial variety may suit. Use pots, urns and vases to show off selections such as asters, mums, sunflowers and black-eyed susans. You might even plant a few fall flowers around your patio’s perimeter.

When you entertain, break out the full fall regalia with candles, tablecloths, place setting and napkins attuned to your seasonal theme.

Lighting It Up

As the calendar turns, darkness comes earlier, but you can keep the lights on as late as you like. You may already have a wall-mounted outdoor light, but you’ve probably noticed that it’s harsh and casts unattractive shadows. The most pleasant light comes from multiple sources, and that’s true out back as well as indoors! A few lights around the deck or patio create a soft glow that’s relaxing and appealing!

Patio lamps can be solar or powered by an outdoor-safe cord. Lanterns, some with battery-operated faux candles, will hang from pergolas, sit on tables or mount on posts. Strings of lights softly spread illumination with bulbs of either classic white or seasonal yellow and orange. If you add a few natural candles, favor those with an apple or pumpkin spice scent to heighten your sensory adventure.

Read our blog post: Light it Up - Outdoor Lamps.

Spreading the Cozy Warmth

People won’t stay outdoors if they’re not warm enough. Fortunately, there are plenty of options to keep the crowd at a comfortable temperature.

If there’s just a wee touch of nippiness, a few available blankets may be adequate. Blankets and throws add to the decor when they display fall colors while draped over the backs of sofas and chairs.

Sometimes, though, you need a little extra heat to inspire people to remain outside.

Patio Heaters

Restaurateurs know the value of outside heaters in making the most of patio space, and these versatile appliances work wonders for the residential patio as well! One variety is the electric unit that mounts on the wall. These may look small but their capability is large, as they can heat up to 200 square feet.

There are also standing heaters. These run on the same propane tanks that power your grill. Most come on wheels, and some include a small bar table so that folks can rest their beverages while they gather and chat.

Fire Tables

There’s nothing that warms your spirits on a chill evening like a campfire. However, the wood-burning variety is messy and can be dangerous. A gas patio fire table does the job conveniently and safely.

Like standing patio heaters, these run on a propane tank. The flame heats specially designed glass beads and can be protected from wind and small fingers by a glass shield. There is a table surface suitable for drinks, s’mores fixings and even playing cards or board games. A fire table patio set might include some chairs, and they come in an assortment of shapes, including round, square, rectangular or oval. The table becomes a natural gathering spot when the fire is lit, or even when it isn’t.

Learn more about patio fire table sets and options in our blog post: Fire Table Focus.

Fall Cooking: The Big Green Egg

Bratwurst and burgers are great any time of year, but sometimes a fall dinner calls for heartier fare. This may be the right season to up your cookery game with the Big Green Egg! It’s more than just a grill; it’s a complete outdoor oven that also bakes and slow-roasts. With a gamut of Eggcessories, it can turn out anything from steaks to roasted main courses to pizza to delectable desserts. It’s almost like having an extra kitchen in your backyard!

Don’t let the end of summer spell the end of outdoor living! Your “autumnized” patio or deck will carry you deep into the fall season. If the snow and cold do eventually drive you indoors, you can store away your fall decor for the following year.

An inviting deck or patio is like an additional room in your home! Why have that extra flexibility only during the summer? Maybe this is the year to enhance that space and give yourself additional months of outdoor living every year!