How to Extend Your Patio Season into the Late Fall

How to Extend Your Patio Season into the Fall

As the year passes and we’re spending more time at home, it is crucial to keep our home space interesting since external entertainment is limited. Home time is family time, and there are memories there that will someday be cherished. So why not pair them with the most beautiful season of the year?

Patio Comfort has a few tips on how to upgrade your patio so that it’s more cold-weather friendly, and you can enjoy it with the foliage and your family.

Best Ways to Enjoy Your Patio During the Fall

Cozy Furniture

Picture it: Big, cozy sweaters, orange leaves on the ground, and sipping hot coffee on a beautiful, plush couch… all outdoors! Outdoor couches, usually consisting of big cushions on a wicker, rattan or cast-iron base, are cozy and comfortable to sit on, feeling no different than the couches in your own living room!

Add a Heater

While blankets are a nice touch to your outdoor setup, they might not be enough for chillier nights when the weather drops. Investing in a gas-powered portable outdoor heater will do the trick to keep you warm, and with their flame feature, they look good! There are also smaller portable heating models available for a more discreet look. Just be careful when placing a heater within your outdoor living room space, keeping fire safety in mind.

Add an Outdoor Fire Pit

Toasting marshmallows, telling ghost stories – what doesn’t come to mind when you think of a big blazing fire-pit outdoors? From creative camping style snacks for the kids (and the adults) to a romantic ambiance for you and your partner, a fire pit is a nice addition to your cold-weather patio for those chilly nights. You can buy an elevated pit which not only looks good, but is easy to store when not in use, or opt for a built-in pit with brick walls if you have the space for it.

Add Lighting

Who says fancy lighting is just for Christmas? Adding lanterns, battery-operated candles and tea lights, and even white Christmas tree lights can automatically brighten up your fall patio in the most magical way. You can even install a porch light and a dimmer if you want to control the mood lighting a little more throughout the evening.

Hot Tub

There is nothing better than the contrast of a hot tub against colder weather, especially when you need to soothe your muscles from working in the yard so much, raking up all the leaves. A hot tub pairs so well with a glass of fall-friendly red wine and can be a way for you to enjoy your outdoor patio with your closest friends. Be sure to keep it covered up when not in use so that leaves don’t collect in the water, and keep a broom nearby to sweep them off before removing to cover to enjoy your hot tub.

Year-Round Plants

Plants such as Alberta spruce and pine last year-round, make for excellent fillers and shrubbery in landscaping for your patio. They also add a woodsy type of aesthetic to your house, which is nice if you live somewhere more susceptible to colder weather conditions. Also, after gardening all summer, don’t give up on your harvest just because the weather is turning! Planting an orchard if you have space for it will bring you delicious fall fruit such as apples to make pies and ciders from. You can also plant cold-weather roughage such as kale and spinach to keep the dishes in your kitchen from farm-to-table up till November.

Decorate for Fall

Fall is most people’s favourite season for many different reasons, but one that we all agree on is the colours. So, take the opportunity to decorate for it! Whether it’s by placing pumpkins out on your porch (if you’re using real gourds, be mindful of them rotting and attracting insects) or taking the prettiest leaves and pressing them into frames or glass tabletops, there are plenty of ways to decorate for the fall season that will only bring more warmth and coziness to your household. Also, don’t forget that fall is Halloween season! Channel your inner child and have fun with it by putting up a witch, scarecrow, ghoul or anything else to spook your neighbours.

Weatherproof Your Patio Furniture

Fall also means a lot of rain and, sometimes, premature snow. Make sure your furniture is waterproofed so that you can enjoy it for a bit longer. For ultimate safety, you should be covering your furniture nightly with water-resistant tarps and furniture covers and securing them with tie-cords to ensure any moisture doesn’t get in. You should also seal your wood and cement elements with water-resistant clear paint. If possible, store your furniture in a safe, dry place for winter, or be extra diligent when covering your pieces for the cold weather in order to maintain (and increase) their life span.

Add a Screened-in Porch

A screened-in porch is a great investment for anybody who lives in colder climates. Not only does it protect your furniture during the colder months and wet seasons, but it also significantly expands your patio experience! There are different options when it comes to enclosing your patio, and Ottawa’s go-to patio essentials store Patio Comfort walks you through them step-by-step. But make sure you check if you need a building permit before transforming your patio.

Add an Outdoor Rug

Tie your entire aesthetic together with this great touch. An outdoor rug is a cozy addition to any patio setup, and they are often washable, which is essential. Dirt is more likely to happen outdoors, so make sure you aren’t choosing anything too fancy and that whatever you pick for your patio is easier to clean up and store until next year.

Year-Round Patio Season

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