As the refreshing coolness of fall settles in and leaves turn rich hues of orange and gold, your outdoor living space becomes the perfect place to relax. You may have limited time left to enjoy the pleasant outdoor weather, but fall is one of the best times to be outside in the evening. Styling up your outdoor living space doesn’t mean making major changes, but simply adding a few design elements that make it cozy, comfortable, and warm. Whether you want to refresh your current setup or explore deck designs that maximize multi-season living, styling your deck for fall evenings will help you make the most of the season.
Layering Textiles for Ultimate Warmth and Comfort
A good base for the coziest deck during fall is comfy and weather-appropriate fabrics. It just becomes so enticing to stay outside when it gets cool in the evening, and there are comfortable fabrics around. Replace the light fabrics of cushion covers used for the summer season with autumn colors, such as burnt orange, burgundy, forest green, and cream. It is important to keep a basket with large, knitted blankets, fleece throws, and cushions outdoors for your visitors to make themselves cozy easily.
Incorporating Fire Elements as Focal Points
Nothing beats the dancing flames and warmth of an open fire for bringing people together. Adding a fire element extends your deck’s use in cold weather and creates a visual focal point. Your options include propane fires, which offer a contemporary look, wood fires, which provide a more traditional look, or tabletop fires, which take up little space. Arrange your chairs to create a half-circle configuration surrounding the fire to facilitate socializing and keep everyone warm. For homeowners looking ahead to future outdoor renovations, building custom decks often includes a gas fire source.
Creating Ambient Illumination
As the days become shorter, it is imperative to make use of strategic lighting to create a comfortable atmosphere. Bright, intense spotlights can take away the romantic feel of the fall night, so use softer light sources. String Edison bistro lights over railings or pergolas to create a canopy of light above your head. Place some battery-powered pillar candles, solar lanterns, and hurricane lanterns on side tables as well as on step risers.
Adding Seasonal Greenery and Natural Accents
Highlight the season’s beauty by including natural elements in your decorations. Trade out the summer annuals that are withering away for hardier autumn plants such as chrysanthemums, ornamental cabbage, and fountain grass placed in old-fashioned terracotta pots or wicker baskets. Decorate your front door, stairs, and tables with heirloom pumpkins, gourds, and corn husks. This is an easy way to make your deck fit in with the fall scenery.
Serving Warm Comfort Snacks and Drinks
Bring your fall party together by putting out an outdoor beverage and snacks bar. With a wheeled cart that has insulated flasks filled with hot apple cider, chai tea, cocoa, or mulled wine, your guests will not have to keep going in and out of the house. Pair hot beverages with fall snacks, such as cinnamon doughnuts, roasted nuts, or even a s’mores kit for the fire pit.
Conclusion
Spending the extra effort to style your deck for the fall turns an unused area into an amazing place to be when one of the best times of the year comes around. This is done by incorporating cozy blankets, lights, fires, and decorations. This turns those cold evenings into something to enjoy instead of dread. When you are ready to start thinking about the upcoming years and how you want your dream deck to look, explore deck designs that come with built-in options for all four seasons.
