How to make your patio cozier for fall – 11 ways to get this outdoor space ready for the cooler months

A practical, multi-functional outdoor space, the patio comes into its own during the summer months, serving as an extra outdoor room where you can relax, dine and gather with friends.

However, as the temperatures drop and the garden prepares for its winter slumber, there’s no reason why the patio can't still be a magical space to spend time. Indeed, as the seasons start to shift it doesn’t mean you need to hibernate indoors, with a few cozy touches and fall decor ideas your patio can be a wonderfully practical and relaxing space throughout autumn and into winter.

Here we’ve gathered an array of stylish fall patio ideas to get you inspired.

10 cozy fall patio ideas

Anyone who loves their garden knows that gardens don’t just shine in summer, they offer beauty and interest year-round, with each season bringing with it unique natural splendor. With its fiery colors

of the turning leaves and the crisp, fresh air, fall is a particularly beautiful season and what better place to enjoy the show than sitting back on a cozy fall patio? Read on to discover our tips for the perfect outdoor sanctuary for the ‘ber’ months.

1. Create a cozy outdoor seating area

Outdoor living spaces don’t have to be reserved for summer use, with some cozy touches they can make fabulous places to relax with friends and family throughout fall. Mimicking an indoor living room layout with a cozy sofa and armchairs arranged around a central coffee table set on a rug will create a cozy space perfect for socializing.

For this outdoor living room interior designer Kate Marker chose comfortable, weatherproof outdoor seating from Brown Jordan topped with scatter cushions in textural, rustic materials and subtle earthy tones. A woven jute rug helps define the space and adds a homey feel while the seating area is crowned by a traditional lantern from Visual Comfort.

'Treat outdoor spaces like any room by considering the same elements that make an indoor space complete. For example, you can add a rug to define the outdoor space, seating with outdoor throw pillows in weather-friendly fabrics and inserts, or even outdoor ceiling lighting for a screened-in porch,' says Kate Marker, founder of Kate Marker Interiors.

When transitioning an outdoor living space from summer use to fall, 'pillows and throws can shift from breezier textiles in warmer months to cozier knits in cooler seasons and, of course, nostalgic patterns and tones for the holidays,' explains Kate Marker.

'Another option is a console table or bar cart to create some entertaining surfaces to set out beverages or snacks, allowing you or guests to linger longer. Of course, greenery in cute planters and outdoor lanterns with candles add ambiance.'

When it comes to styling the outdoor coffee table think dried flowers or small terracotta pots planted with evergreen herbs like rosemary. 'Hydrangeas are a seasonal staple that transitions beautifully from summer to fall a dried bundle adds the perfect pop of colour and is the sweetest touch,' adds Kate Marker.

2. Style up a cozy outdoor dining space

Whether it’s breakfast on the balcony or supper on the terrace, there’s something magical about dining al fresco. For a cozy and inviting outdoor dining space you can’t go wrong with a table and bench set for a relaxed feel. Layer benches and chairs with sheepskins, chunky woven throws, and cushions in cozy natural materials such as wool and linen - but of course be sure to take these in afterwards to keep them looking their best. Lay the table with an assortment of lanterns in different sizes filled with LED candles which will stay flickering and glowing even in windy weather.

For a rustic centerpiece for your fall table decor plant aged terracotta pots with autumn foliage in warm tones like heuchera 'Sugar Plum' or 'Pink Pearls'. Touch-operated LED table lamps can also be dotted about the table to add pockets of warm light.

'When styling a dining table for outdoor autumn entertaining, focus on warm, earthy tones and natural textures to evoke the season,' says Fred Horlock, design director at Neptune. 'Incorporating centerpieces with seasonal foliage adds an organic look while layered lighting with candles and lanterns creates warmth and ambiance. Textured table linens and comfortable seating accessories like cushions and throws create a cozy, tactile element.'

3. Create the ultimate undercover entertaining space

If you love entertaining outdoors then you might want to consider a purpose-built undercover veranda or patio area complete with an outdoor kitchen for year-round celebrations as done here by interior designer Allison Babcock.

This space was inspired by my family's love of spending time outdoors. When designing our home, I really emphasized a seamless transition between indoors and outdoors to fit how we live and entertain. I wanted to create a space we could use all year round, and so we decided on this outdoor space that could accommodate a large seating area and dining room that is open on three sides and covered by a roof to protect us from the elements,' explains Allison.

'We also installed heaters in the roof that keep the space warm in the fall and winter. We truly use this space all day long, from family time to cocktails with friends to coffee breaks when we're working from home. During fall we have sheepskin-covered cushions for both areas and heavy throws to keep us warm.'

'To elevate your outdoor entertaining, an outdoor kitchen is a must-have,' says Reilly Gray, co-founder of Suns Lifestyle. 'Equipped with everything from grills, cooktops and pizza ovens, through to sinks, storage and prep stations, these kitchens make it easy to prepare meals al fresco. Combining them with an outdoor dining area, complete with comfortable, weather-resistant dining tables and chairs, ensures guests have a relaxed space to enjoy meals drinks and conversations.'

4. Make patios magical with lots of twinkling lights

Outdoor festoon lights are a wonderful way to create an inviting atmosphere in patio areas during fall and into the colder months, whether strung up over a quiet seating area or an alfresco dining or living space.

'Outdoor lighting is a crucial element that is as much about style and ambiance as it is function. Solar-powered lighting options (that can also be recharged via USB-C) are both eco-friendly and practical for fall gatherings and can be easily put up and moved around. String lights can help to bring general light whilst also bringing that magical feeling, whilst lanterns can be placed on tables and around your garden to create a soft, ambient glow that will enhance that festive atmosphere,' says Reilly Gray, co-founder of Suns Lifestyle.

With bulbs dipped in a mix of warm neutral tones, these Stargazer garden lights from Terrain are perfect for radiating extra warmth.

5. Keep cozy with an outdoor fireplace

An outdoor fireplace can transform a patio area into a cozy sanctuary, extending its use well into the fall. Having a roaring outdoor fireplace to gather around on chilly evenings allows you to enjoy the garden well into the 'ber' months.

Designs can range from sleek, contemporary gas-powered fire tables to rustic wood-burning firepits and chimeneas. If you’re looking for a nostalgic, around-the-campfire feel then nothing beats a firepit or traditional wood-fuelled outdoor fires with their crackling flames and mesmerizing glow. However, they can be tricky to get going and require a good supply of logs. The benefit of gas-fired outdoor heaters is they can be switched on in an instant - ideal for impromptu garden gatherings. Gas-fired heaters also have no smoke and no ash to clean up - perfect if you’re looking for something low maintenance.

'Not all fire pits are built the same, it’s important to not compromise on quality or longevity as often you really do get what you pay for. Quality is essential when shopping around for a fire pit, look out for weatherproof and rust-proof materials as a lower-quality fire pit base can rust and fall away, making the fire pit completely unusable,' explains Joanna Humphreys, fire and stove specialist at Direct Stoves.

'Always make sure the fire is fully extinguished before leaving the area. Dousing the fire with water or sand and stirring it around to ensure everything is thoroughly soaked. It’s important to not leave any hot ashes behind and always make sure they are cold to the touch before disposing of them properly.'

5. Add a table or bar with an integrated firepit

Dining, bar or coffee tables with integrated fire pits make a great focal point for outdoor entertaining, especially during fall when the flicking glow will help create a cozy atmosphere.

'Dining, bar or coffee tables with integrated fire pits are ideal for those al fresco meals, drinks and general entertaining, extending the usability of your garden well into the cooler weather with the fire features,' says Reilly Gray. 'A perfect blend of style, functionality and ambiance, the fire pit will encourage interaction around the table whilst providing added warmth, creating a truly cozy and comfy outdoor space that can be enjoyed year-round. The flicker of the flames will also enhance your overall garden design, casting light and shadows throughout the space.'

7. Plant up containers with fresh plants for fall color and interest

Container gardening is ideal for adding color and interest to patios during the colder months. Fill pots with an array of hardy plants from evergreen shrubs and grasses to bedding flowers and winter vegetables. For dazzling fall flower pots combine at least three different plant varieties mixing structural plants with foliage fillers and colorful statement plants. Plant them up in a single container or try them separately in pots of different heights clustered together. Below we share our planting suggestions…

SHAPE AND STRUCTURE - Evergreen shrubs such as box, holly, bay and small conifers are perfect for bringing form and height to fall and winter planters while keeping them looking verdant. For sculptural interest try ferns or ornamental grasses like carex or even winter kale. Trailing plants such as ivy are wonderful for softening pots with strong silhouettes - try variegated varieties such as ‘White Wonder’.

FABULOUS FILLERS - Low-growing perennials such as heucheras are wonderful for adding color, with foliage ranging from greens and silvers to russet, red and purple. Sacred bamboo - nandina domestica ‘Obsessed’, is also guaranteed to put on a show with its beautiful lance-shaped leaflets and small berries that turn to red in autumn and winter. Bushy Skimmia Japonica ‘Rubella’ plants are ideal for fall and winter containers, boasting leathery evergreen leaves and dainty pinkish-red buds that open to scented white flowers in spring.

INSTANT COLOUR - For cheery crowd-pleasers you can't go wrong with asters, chrysanthemums, cyclamen or winter-flowing violas and pansies. For a more delicate pop of color, lacy heathers come in a variety of colors or try plants with berries such as checkerberry - gaultheria procumbens.

'Use seasonal flowers and foliage, like chrysanthemums, asters and ornamental kale, to create seasonal splashes of color,' says Josh Payne, owner of Classic Landscapes. 'For example, last fall we designed a patio featuring planters filled with purple and red pansies, yellow mums, and kale with colors ranging from pink to deep burgundy.'

8. Create a green oasis with winter shrubs

When the seasons shift and the annuals and tender perennials begin to die back the patio can be very bleak to look out on. However, introducing plenty of evergreen planting will ensure the space feels fresh all year.

Evergreen shrubs like box, holly, bay, viburnum and Pittosporum tenuifolium will all be happy in containers. You could even add a vertical planter to bring a further dimension to your patio. Vertical garden ideas such as panels covered in moss will help create a green oasis all year round yet require no watering or maintenance.

'For evergreen planting on a patio, I recommend using shrubs like boxwood, dwarf Alberta spruce, or Japanese holly, which thrive in pots, adds Josh Payne, owner of Classic Landscapes. 'These evergreens provide year-round structure and can be easily complemented with seasonal plants. Additionally, incorporating herbs like rosemary or lavender can add both greenery and fragrance to the space.'

9. Style up the patio with a harvest-inspired displays

To really embrace the spirit of fall style up seasonal harvest-inspired displays using pumpkins, lanterns, and colorful fall foliage. Pumpkin-shaped panters in different sizes alongside real gourds and squashes make for a colorful display on a patio but also for your fall porch ideas.

'One of the things I love to do most is decorate with pumpkins, but I am particularly obsessed with the creams, greens and more unusual shapes. That can really make a patio more elevated than having a huge spattering of orange on your doorsteps. I prefer a neutral palette with just a pop of deep greens and subtle orange,' says Gaia Guidi Filippi, principal designer and founder at Gaia G Interiors. 'Add in lanterns with battery-operated candles and green ferns, and the vignette will be complete.'

10. Style patio doors with fall wreaths and garlands

Decorating the doorway leading out to the patio is another lovely way to celebrate fall. Think about adding a lovely fall wreath and layering up doormats suggests Gaia Guidi Filippi.

'A door wreath is important too - I prefer ones that are less cutesy and more pared-back, perhaps something monochromatic or neutral, like a wheat-inspired one, to let the color and beauty of your front door still shine.'

'A beautiful doormat just for the season is a good idea too. Consider layering for a more cozy, welcoming effect. You can do a larger jute underneath and then a smaller mat in a fall pattern on top,' adds Gaia Guidi Filippi.

11. Make space for log storage

If you have an indoor fire or an outdoor firepit or fireplace then a log store is essential for keeping your seasoned logs dry and ready to burn. Log stores can often be an eyesore on a patio or veranda, but with its weathered, rusty finish this stylish steel log store from Terrain would make an attractive feature.