Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Style

21OAK may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

4 easy ways to extend the outdoor entertaining season

Julie Scagell
By

While summertime is perfect for spending nights under stars or gathered around your patio’s fire pit, the chillier fall weather doesn’t mean outdoor entertaining is past its prime. There are plenty of ways to extend the best parts of summer well into fall with just a few tweaks to your outdoor entertainment area. In fact, the fall season is the perfect time to invite friends and family over, watch some football, fire up the grill, and embrace the beauty of the season.

If your outdoor patio or deck isn’t ready for fall, here are four easy ways to prepare it for outdoor entertaining.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Bring on the fire

If you don’t have a mobile fire pit that you could move from your backyard onto your deck, it’s time to invest in one. There’s nothing better than huddling around a warm, crackling flame in cold weather. Depending on whether you want a wood-burning or electric fire pit, there are still plenty of deals you can find so you aren’t breaking the bank to turn your back patio into a fall haven. Target has this 26-in. wood burner selling for just under $89, or, if you prefer propane, you can purchase this 28-in. tabletop version for just under $150.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Heat lamps

If you don’t have room or the desire for a fire pit, why not consider a heat lamp? They put out tons of heat for friends and family gathered outdoors and don’t take up nearly the amount of room as a fire pit. They also take much less effort to set up. There’s this fairly basic model from Home Depot for $149 that will get the job done in colder weather, or you can opt for this larger, more stylish unit from Wayfair for just under $325. If you have a very large deck, you may want to consider adding more than one throughout the space to ensure all your guests stay toasty warm on cold nights.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Make warmth part of your design

Another way to extend your outdoor entertainment space is to provide guests with everything they’ll need when the temperature drops. Your outdoor space may be aesthetically pleasing, but no one will want to spend time out there if it’s too cold.

  • Set out a basket with fleece throw blankets they can snuggle up in.
  • Place a jar with sets of cotton gloves on a side table.
  • Light big pillar candles around to give off some heat.
  • Put down outdoor rugs to keep the chill off your guests’ feet.
Recommended Videos

Not only will this give off a unique and fun fall vibe to the space, but it will also let your guests know you’re thinking of them and their comfort.

Make a hot beverage station

If you’re entertaining a large group, do something a little different from a traditional outdoor bar cart by setting up a hot beverage station. You can serve both kid-friendly and adult drinks with some hot chocolate, hot apple cider, and other warm liquids and offer spirits to create a little something special this fall (hello hot toddy). The possibilities are endless when it comes to the fixings, so bring on the marshmallows, lemons, cloves, chocolate chips, cinnamon sticks, placing them in Ball jars for a little extra design element.

These are just a few ways you can easily extend your outdoor entertainment space for the fall. With the winter quickly approaching, you want to spend as much time as possible taking advantage of everything the season has to offer. It’s a time of football Sundays, colorful foliage, pumpkin carving, and outdoor grilling, so make it a space where everyone feels comfortable, regardless of the temperature. The options above also take into consideration everyone’s body temperatures. We all have that one friend who is cold no matter how hot it is outside and another that doesn’t even wear a jacket on the coldest winter days. These ideas give guests the option to layer up, sit closer to the fire, or turn off a heat lamp if they get too hot or cold.

While the pools may be closed and the beaches more sparse, entertaining outside in the fall can be just as fun as your summer gatherings. The bugs are gone, the fall leaves are changing, and the chill in the air is just right for a night under the stars.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Julie Scagell
Julie Scagell
Contributor
I am a freelance writer based in Minneapolis, MN. My passions include my dogs, talking about my dogs, and taking pictures of…
What is a pool house and why do you need one by your backyard pool?
From more storage space to an additional poolside bathroom, here's why you'll benefit from having a pool house
Backyard with swimming pool and pool house

Chances are you’re familiar with pool houses, but have you ever considered adding one to your backyard? Many homeowners haven’t thought about pool houses outside of commercial properties, but adding one to your backyard can be a great way to make your summertime fun more relaxing.

Whether you have a backyard pool or are considering building one, a pool house can also be a great addition. Today, we’ll explain exactly what a pool house is, how it’s used, and why you might benefit from having one.
What is a pool house?
A pool house is a separate small structure that sits on your property near the pool. You can think of it like a detached garage or shed near the home on the property, except its purpose is to offer more space for pool storage, poolside relaxation, and an additional bathroom for guests.

Read more
6 gorgeous screened-in porch ideas perfect for relaxed summer living
How to make your screened-in porch a beautiful, cozy space
Screen-in porch with furniture

Your home’s porch not only gives your property a quaint curb appeal but also gives you a prime, private lounging spot during the warmer months. This is especially true for screened-in porches, which usually serve as nice getaways from the main part of the house.

Since screened-in porches have this half-indoor, half-outdoor quality to them, you may be thinking, "How do I decorate my screened-in porch?" Here are six screened-in porch ideas to turn this area of your home into the tranquil summer paradise of your dreams.
Large floor rug
First, we recommend laying down a floor rug that covers most of the space. This will help tie the decor together and give it a uniform look. It can be either an outdoor or indoor area rug depending on what suits the location of your porch. Be sure to choose one with a pattern and colors that make you feel calm and relaxed.
Potted palm plants
What’s a summer hangout spot without tropical plants? This season, potted palm plants are in. So fill in any empty areas of your screened-in porch with the tallest palm plant you can find.

Read more
Need patio inspiration? Check out these amazing outdoor patio designs
Comfy seating, cozy mood lighting, and unique uses for your outdoor space are why we're loving these Pinterest patio ideas
Paver patio with outdoor furniture

A good patio design will make or break your outdoor space. What use is a patio without comfy seating, some overhead shade, and a few functional pieces to make the outdoor space more relaxing and unique? That’s why we’re sharing some fantastic backyard patio ideas from Pinterest to help inspire you to revamp your patio space and introduce more fun and functional elements to your design.

The outdoor movie theater
The outdoor movie theater is a timeless addition to your patio. Following in the footsteps of people like Wonder Forest on Pinterest, you can hang up a projector screen outside for fun summer movie nights in the sweet outdoors. This pin features soft-toned string lights for some mood lighting and a whimsical ambiance. In addition, a DIY screen mount made via 2-by-4s is supporting the projector screen. Alternatively, if you don’t want to DIY a screen mount, you can always hang the projector screen on the side of the house. Just be sure to add some comfy pillows, blankets, and extra seating for a cozy movie night outdoors.

Read more