Cozy Outdoor Rooms Let You Snuggle Up to Fall
Drape a throw and let the firelight glow. These ideas for your outdoor room will make fast friends of you and autumn
Laura Gaskill
September 21, 2012
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance checklist. My favorite pieces to write center around the emotional aspects of home and savoring life's simple pleasures. Decluttering course + discount for Houzzers: https://www.lauragaskill.com/welcome-houzzers
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance... More
With plenty of color still in the garden and the sun lingering in the sky after work (for now), allow yourself to be lured outdoors in fall. Whether you love playing the social butterfly or prefer to cozy up in a nest for two, we have you covered. Soak up inspiration from these outdoor rooms that get it right, along with creative ideas to apply in your own space.
Strike up a festive mood with string lights. Outdoor café lights strung from tree to house and back again create a lively atmosphere in this backyard. A round dining table and a curvy outdoor sofa gently divide the space into two seating areas, providing ample space where friends and neighbors can mingle under the stars.
Layer textiles for a well-traveled look. Patterned textiles in indigo and rust mix with rough, weathered wood and woven materials in this Marrakesh space. The woven overhang may be designed as protection from the hot Moroccan sun, but it would work equally well to keep falling leaves off an outdoor dining space anywhere.
Spend rainy afternoons in your own teahouse. I love the idea of creating a tiny getaway in your own backyard — somewhere you can sneak off to, even during a storm, and sip tea while the rain pours down. Leaving two walls (or all four) open offers the shelter of a roof but the romance of being outside.
Create a mini destination at the end of a path. Place a bench or chair at the end of a meandering path for an instant focal point in the front or side yard. Keep a cozy throw and a cushion on hand for chilly afternoons, and add a small side table if you like to bring along a warm beverage.
Pull furniture a little closer to the house for practicality. If you want to continue using your outdoor space through fall but worry about wear and tear on seat cushions and other soft items, try moving the entire seating arrangement closer to the back door, where pieces are easier to grab before a rainstorm.
You could also try setting up a spot under a shelter (like the overhang shown here). Keep a stack of woven floor cushions and extra blankets inside when they're not in use.
You could also try setting up a spot under a shelter (like the overhang shown here). Keep a stack of woven floor cushions and extra blankets inside when they're not in use.
Get creative with outdoor decor. As long as your outdoor room is in a somewhat protected spot (porch, deck with overhang etc.), there are lots of decor items you can bring outside to add warmth and style.
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Antlers
- Large pieces of driftwood
- Baskets (to store blankets)
- Trunks (to store cushions)
- Ceramics
Update your outdoor furniture with matte black. Plain wooden picnic table looking a little unloved? Brush on a few coats of matte black paint for a chic, modern update. Round out the look with a few punchy bright accessories (I would go with red or yellow) and striped cushions.
Create an outdoor centerpiece that will last for months. Plant a long, narrow container with a variety of succulents and set it in the center of your outdoor dining table for a stylish centerpiece that won't fade. This would be great to try indoors, too.
Get creative with your firewood display. If you have a fire pit or bowl in your yard, you'll need somewhere to keep wood. I love the idea of stacking it beneath long benches (as shown here) for a sleek, modern display that also protects the wood from the elements.
Use red to warm up your outdoor fireplace. An outdoor fireplace makes a natural gathering place in the fall and winter, but when it is unlit it can look a little bare. Add a few red hurricanes to the mantel or the ground, and striped or patterned pillows to the surrounding seating to create a look that emanates warmth.
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With Adirondack chairs around it
http://www.houzz.com/au/photos/firepit-with-adirondack-chairs-/p/40