Simple Ways To Create A Cozy Fall Patio Space For Entertaining

Football games and family reunions. Hot cider and holiday hosting. Crisp evenings and starlit nights. There's just something special about fall. Spooky season is right around the corner, but there's nothing scary about taking a few hours to create a cozy patio space for you and your guests to enjoy.

If the unusually rainy summer did a number on your wicker or wrought iron seating, start by cleaning your outdoor furniture. Along with making your guests feel more comfortable, you'll be glad to have this chore done when winter arrives, and it's time to cover your patio furnishings for the season. You can add seasonal throw pillows in deep scarlet and mineral green colors that will carry you through Christmas, but if new accessories aren't in the budget, use what you already have on hand. A simple throw blanket draped over the back of a patio chair or bench brings cozy vibes to any outdoor space.

Campfire s'mores and ghost stories are always entertaining crowd-pleasers, but toil and trouble are on their way to your next gathering if you forgot to clean your fire pit after using it last winter. Make sure you also dispose of wet leaves that have accumulated on your patio to avoid staining or slippery accidents. If you have more leaves than you can mulch, consider incorporating the most brilliant ones you can find into a DIY pool noodle garland to frame your front door or patio pergola.

Welcome your guests by adding lush fall florals to your patio. Pumpkins, mums, and sunflowers are classic choices. A DIY Halloween wreath made with moss and sparkly spiders will also add a bewitching touch. If you'd rather spend your money on costumes than craft supplies, shop your own yard. Dried hydrangea blooms, late summer wildflowers, or foraged woody stems can look stunning in simple arrangements. Consider creating beautiful planters from common household items like vintage teapots, rusty paint cans, or wicker baskets. 

If you're short on seating, bring the hayride vibes home by surrounding your patio with rustic straw bales. Along with endless configuration options and a low price tag, this eco-friendly approach provides a firm, comfortable place for guests to sit. Straw bales can even be used to keep your home warm in the winter. Add extra coziness by covering some of your straw bale seating with fleece or flannel blankets.

Even with harvest moons on the horizon, it never hurts to add additional lighting to your patio. If you plan on entertaining outside as the days get shorter, consider creating some extra sparkle with a DIY lighting feature, cafe lights, or candles. Outdoor illumination doesn't just improve curb appeal; increased outdoor lighting is believed to reduce crime. In other words, more treats, fewer tricks.