5 Easy Ways to Extend Your Patio Season

The end of summer doesn't mean you have to pack up your patio! Whether hosting friends or relaxing with a cup of coffee, here are a few ways we extend our patio season, making it cozy, comfortable, and perfect for outdoor living on crisp fall days and chilly nights.

patio set up with adirondack chairs, pillows, blankets and lanterns

1. Add Outdoor Heating Sources

Fire Pits, Fire Tables, or Chimineas: Adding a fire element to your outdoor living area is a great way to create warmth and atmosphere. A fire pit can become the heart of your gatherings as the weather cools. (My family loves to make s'mores around a crackling fire!)

For more efficient heat from your fire pit, some freestanding units like the Solo Stove (we have the Bonfire model and a tabletop Mesa) offer deflector attachments {affiliate link}. These direct the heat outward, keeping more of your seating area warm and cozy.

Prefer to skip wood or pellets? A gas fire pit or fire table is a convenient alternative. Since they're fueled by a natural gas line or propane tank, you can flip the switch for instant flames without needing to start or tend the fire.

unlit solo stove fire pit in front of a blanket-draped Adirondack chair on a patio — Smokeless fire pit on the patio--I wanted to fire it up for these photos, but sadly, the wind was too gusty.

Patio Heaters: A propane-fueled patio heater was one of our first purchases when we started spending more time cooking and entertaining outdoors. You've probably seen them at restaurants with outdoor seating--they put out a decent amount of heat!

I recommend getting a heater on wheels for easy mobility. We regularly move ours around the patio depending on where we're sitting or cooking. The average heating radius on these units is usually 15 to 20 feet-if you have a larger space, you might need more than one to keep everyone comfortable.

lit fire table with a rocking chair, blue pillow, and wool blanket — Propane Fire Table

2. Add Cozy Textiles

Blankets, Cushions, and Throws: I keep a basket of warm blankets in our outdoor living space for guests to use as they need them. They're great for wrapping up when the temperature drops, especially in the evenings, and add a cozy touch to the area.

Since we have a fire pit, we use naturally fire-resistant wool blankets. I'm a big fan of the Pendleton Motor Robe Throws {affiliate link}. They have leather carrier straps, keeping them compact for storage and easy to grab for a picnic away from home.

adirondack chair with a blue pillow and draped wool blanket on a stone patio

Outdoor Rugs: An outdoor rug adds warmth underfoot and helps define the space, making it feel more inviting. For safety, place it away from open flames like fire pits, grills, or pizza ovens.

Cushions and Pillows: Big, soft outdoor pillows add extra comfort and warmth, especially on Adirondack chairs where we spend long evenings by the fire. Pillows and cushions made from durable, weather-resistant materials like Sunbrella hold up well outdoors, but I still prefer to move them to covered storage when not in use.

basket of wool blankets on a paver stone patio next to a lantern and a rack of firewood — Blankets and warm lighting sources add coziness to a fall patio.

3. Consider Your Evolving Lighting Needs

As the days get shorter, you'll need extra lighting to keep your patio bright and inviting. String lights, fairy lights, and lanterns are all easy ways to create a welcoming atmosphere. I prefer warm-toned lights over cool ones because they add a cozier feel.

Portable battery-operated and solar lanterns are widely available at home improvement and furnishing stores. Look for them in the seasonal sections--you'll find plenty of styles to complement a range of decor. I like to place lanterns on various surfaces around the patio for a soft glow or hang them from shepherd's hooks where extra light is needed.

fairy light lantern lit at night on a dark brown outdoor cabinet — Solar-powered fairy light lantern.

lit solar powered lantern hanging from a shepherd's hook at night — Solar-powered lantern hanging from a shepherd's hook.

If you like the style of string lights but are short on outlets, look for solar-powered sets. I've been using them for a few years to light the perimeter of my patio (I got them at Costco). While they aren't quite as bright as plug-in versions, they've added nice light to our cooking and seating areas.

Outdoor flameless pillar candles are another great way to add ambiance--many offer realistic flickering and moving "flames." Just be sure to pick candles designed for outdoor use, as they're typically made from durable plastic instead of wax to withstand the sun.

wicker tray filled with marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate with a lit lantern and marshmallow roasting sticks — Barebones Forest Lantern {affiliate link} lighting our s'mores tray.

4. Choose All-Weather Patio Furniture

If you plan to use your outdoor space into the fall and winter, make sure your furniture is built to handle the elements. While natural wood Adirondack chairs are beautiful, I opted for poly lumber for its durability. It's fade-resistant, easy to clean, and can handle rain, ice, and snow without warping or weatherproofing.

Despite being synthetic, these chairs are generally sturdy, stable, and comfortable. We find ours just as relaxing to sit in as their wooden counterparts, with much less maintenance. The chairs pictured on our patio are the Serwall Folding Adirondacks with coordinating folding ottomans {affiliate links}.

Adirondack chair with blue and ivory pillows on a patio next to a lantern, basket of blankets, and firewood rack — Weather Resistant Adirondack Chair

5. Insulated Mugs and Serveware

It may go without saying, but we get tons of use from our insulated mugs when sipping coffee, cocoa, or mulled cider on the patio during the cooler months.

We have a collection of Yeti mugs in different sizes, and they keep drinks warm for hours. The 14-ounce Rambler Mug {affiliate link}, pictured here, is great for hot cocoa (plenty of room for marshmallows!).

blue insulated mug filled with hot chocolate and marshmallows on a wicker tray with a black lantern and succulent plant — Insulated Mugs are great for keeping warm beverages at a cozy temp.

Insulated serving pieces are also great to have on hand, especially for warm appetizers like dips. I use Pampered Chef's Insulated Serving Bowls (not a consultant, just a fan). They're perfect for keeping things like my Spinach Artichoke Dip warm on chilly evenings around the fire without having to reheat it constantly.