It is never too late to create an outdoor living space. As we approach the end of the summer, now is the best time to look for great deals and get things set up for fall. We’ve had a really hot summer, and I’m willing to bet a lot of spaces were not used to the fullest. So, let’s get set up for fall.
To start, did you know that after July 4th all outdoor furniture, rugs and accessories go on sale for as much as 70% off? Even though it’s the middle of August, there’s still a lot left at deeply discounted prices.
Whether you have a deck, patio or porch, you can turn it into an outdoor oasis!
Let’s start with the rug. Choose something you like, a color or a neutral, this is what your space will built on. I love the new geometrics that are black and white in design. A hot trend this season has been oversized tropical prints bright in color, but not neon. Better Homes and Garden had a beautiful story of tropical prints mixed with woven and wicker. Check it out for inspiration!
A great way to transition to fall is to pull the fall colors out of the tropical colors in the rug, like the warm greens and oranges. Let the yellow and soft colors go to sleep.
Looking at your space and the size of it, you may want to add chairs and a firepit that can also be a coffee table when not in use. Or a seating group that can be mixed and matched into different arrangements depending on the gathering. Make sure you take into consideration that people will be added to the space, so be sure to leave a bit of room.
Lanterns are another great option to add some special ambiance. These can have citronella candles in them or fairy lights. Add a little stack of pumpkins inside to give it a fall touch.
I also love to add overhead lighting to an outdoor space. This may be market lights, solar lanterns or even tiki torches. Lighting is as important to outdoor spaces as indoor spaces. Think about overhead, task and ambient lighting. I love outdoor candles, especially the color changing option. These are a fun option to set a mood.
Plants and flowers are the last thing to consider and are definitely an important option. Tall plants can create a visual break if you have a porch or deck that is close to a neighbor. When you have a lot of space, plants can create a romantic feel. I love to add large palms or elephant ears in a pretty pot. Another fun element to add are sunflowers. Sunflowers come into their season at the end of the summer and the warm colors of the sunflower will transition to fall perfectly.
With all these options you can add uplighting. Imagine how pretty it will look with the lights shooting through the leaves creating a pretty mood.
One more thing to consider is a way to stay warm as the seasons change. A firepit can be propane or real wood. A solo stove burns with low smoke and high heat. Adding a firepit of some version lets you use the space way into the fall and maybe winter. Add a few blankets and some marshmallows and you will have a great gathering.
Think about the end of the summer being the perfect time to put together the perfect space for the fall and winter.
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