Outdoor Patio Inspiration for Cooler Months
Let’s be honest, the fall and winter in San Diego is practically prime time for outdoor entertaining. The summer heat has gone away, there’s the perfect crisp in the air, and homeowners can once again fire up their BBQ’s and firepits without breaking out in a full sweat. But before you run to host your next gathering, make sure that your outdoor living space is refreshed for the new season. Let us help you prepare your space for the season as the months get cooler so you can enjoy your San Diego living space all fall and winter long.
Clean and Powerwash Your Outdoor Living Space
This might not sound fun right off the bat, but as we enter a new season, there is no better time to turn a new leaf and deep clean your front and backyard. A newly cleaned space can make it feel brand new and gets you ready for the festivities ahead. It might seem daunting at first, but you’ll be sure to thank yourself once all the holiday entertaining ensues!
Bring the Heat
Add some shelter
When you’re outside and fully exposed to the cold weather all around you, it’s easier to feel colder. Adding some shelter above your head is a simple way to shield you from the cold. If your patio already has some shelter above it then you’re set, but if you’re looking for other ideas, look into cantilevered umbrellas or pergolas.
We love incorporating pergolas into our projects. Check out some of the ways we’ve integrated shelters into some of our landscape renovations around San Diego!
Get an outdoor fireplace
Fireplaces are more than just a way for Santa to come into your living room on Christmas Eve. Outdoor fireplaces takes your living room and extends it to the great outdoors to maximize your living space.
Do you like to host and entertain people on your patio?
Then the outdoor fireplace may not feel enough for you. Instead, go for a fire pit! More people can join you since you’ll be able to go all around the fire pit rather than just in front of a fireplace.
A fire pit may sound like a lot of work, but they’re really not. They are made in a way to safely contain a fire just for your living space rather than a larger bonfire you may be picturing.
There are many different choices when it comes to picking firepits. Of course, a wood burning fire pit is a classic that you can’t go wrong choosing. These fire pits are the closest thing you’ll get to that bonfire feeling as it gives off the woodsy, smoky smell while containing the fire just for your yard.
Other firepit options include gel fuel, propane, and natural gas. Gel fuel is a clean burning fire option and often gives off the least amount of heat. If you have a smaller space, gel fuel fire pits are a great choice for your yard.
Propane fire pits have their flames over faux wood, glass, or pebbles. They are larger than both the previous firepits and can be placed anywhere your space. Lastly, you have the natural gas fire pits. These are your largest options. Note that once a natural gas fire pit is placed, there’s no moving it as it is permanently connected to a natural gas line. However, it is the easiest to maintain!
Whichever firepit you choose to add to your outdoor living space, we think they’re a great accessory for anyone who loves spending time outdoors. For more inspo, check out two of our projects: Hawthorne Street and Tzena Way.
Consider an outdoor heater if a firepit is not for you.
An outdoor heater is another option to keep you warm during the colder months. Outdoor heaters can be mounted on a wall or can stand on the floor. Standing heaters are great because you can move them around to your heart’s desire. They can even become a part of your patio’s aesthetic depending on what style you get. Something that keeps you warm and adds to the look of your patio space? It’s a win-win situation!
Invest in a few outdoor blankets.
Throw blankets are a simple way to keep you cozy while you’re outside in the brisk air. Just keep them outside and you and your guests can wrap them around whenever the breeze picks up and the temperatures drop for the night. And, just like with outdoor heaters, blankets can really accessorize your outdoor space in fall and winter and should match your ideal aesthetic.
When it comes to to outdoor blankets, here are some of our favorites: a chunky, hand-knit blanket, a buffalo check sherpa blanket, a faux fur throw blanket, and a rustic cotton blanket with fringe. If none of those fit your style, you can find even more options at Pottery Barn, Anthropologie, or good ol’ Amazon.
And of course, during the times you’re not outside, outdoor blanket storage boxes are a perfect way to store them. You don’t want to leave them out all day just to get dirty. Plus, these blanket boxes can add to your space as another decorative piece of furniture. You can go to West Elm, Home Depot, or Ikea to find the best blanket storage space for you!
Let There Be Light
Preparing for colder months and the change in season is more than just warmth. As the months go by and we get closer to daylight savings, the sun goes down earlier and earlier. But the darkness of the night shouldn’t stop you from being able to enjoy your outdoor space. Add light elements to your patio so that when the sun goes down, you still feel invited to spend time in your outside living space.
Lights have that dual purpose of being useful and decorative. Just remember to not overdo it. You want to be able to see outside, but it doesn’t have to be as bright as it is during the day. Cool lights are harsher on the eyes when it’s contrasted with the dark of night. This can create a less inviting atmosphere. Instead using warm lights is the best way to create mood lighting so that it can really add to the inviting and relaxing ambiance.
All About Lanterns
Lanterns may sound like an old-world solution, but can very much be used in modern times. There are both gas and electric lanterns nowadays that can light up any space. Whether you are trying to create a modern, contemporary, or mid-century look, there are many different style options to choose from to find the perfect lanterns to add to your space.
String Lights Twinkle Bright
String lights are a fun and versatile way to light up the space. You can play around with where you want to hang them. Overhead in a zig-zag, wrapped around some outdoor furniture, cascading down, the options are endless!
Accessorize the Aesthetic
Nothing helps get you in the spirit of the season more than decorating your space. Decorating your patio with other fall and winter accessories can really change the vibe of your home and shows off your style.
A simple way to transition from season to season is changing the color scheme. The San Diego leaves may not be changing color outside, but you can add the pop of color yourself. Get those warmer colors out and build a fall palette by playing with oranges, reds, and yellows. Adding softer neutral colors like grays and white really lets the warm palette pop as well. Whatever palette you put together for your patio, use it as your inspiration for your accessories.
Not sure exactly how to accessorize for fall and winter? Here are some suggestions:
Add throw pillows.
If you’re looking for an easy way to show off your style then throw pillows are the way to go. Plain, printed, cute sayings, square, round, fuzzy, and cable knit are just a few of the options you can work with to decorate your patio. Get a matching set or take your time by finding those single pillows that work together. There’s really no wrong answer.
Get some foliage.
If you’ve got a green thumb, then this is perfect for you. What better way to decorate your outdoor space by adding fall plants and pumpkins. Make a day out of it and grab the family for a great pumpkin adventure! Go to a pumpkin patch, carve the pumpkins, and put it out on display. Or don’t carve them and just place them around the patio. If you have a garden bed, put some fall mums or sumacs in there.
No garden bed? No problem! Just because you’re outside doesn’t mean you can’t add some fake foliage to help elevate your patio’s look. There are some gorgeous fake pumpkins and fall colored flowers you can get. If you really want to feel like fall, find some autumnal leaf garlands. Best part about the artificial foliage? You don’t have to worry about taking care of them like real foliage. And if you love to garden, then you’ll love adding the fall colored plants around your space!
Outdoor Rugs!
They’re not just for indoors. Adding a rug outside to go along with the rest of your outdoor furniture can not only add texture to your look but can also tie it all together. When looking for the perfect rug for your space, be sure to consider the size of your patio and the furniture you already have. You can find some rugs at RugsUSA.com, Joss and Main, or Target.
Putting together your outdoor patio for the cooler months is more than just finding ways to stay warm. Other elements can add to the overall aesthetic of a design and can really invite you into a space. Hopefully this article helped inspire and get you in the fall mood!
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And if you’re ready to upgrade your outdoor space, let us know! We’d love to help you take your outdoor living space to the next level!