8 Tips for Creating Inviting Outdoor Spaces for Fall Gatherings

Cleaning and upkeep can go a long way in sprucing up your outdoor space. There are a few to-do’s to cross off your checklist that include your lawn, your garden and your home’s exterior:

• Rake, aerate and overseed the lawn to keep it lush and green, with fewer bare spots.

• Prune back hydrangeas and other shrubs, and clean up any garden beds.

• Clean out your gutters of any debris, leaves or sticks.

• Start blowing and raking up leaves once the trees begin to drop their foliage. It’s better to do it frequently to save yourself a full Saturday of handling the leaf blower.

• If you are looking to update where your trees or shrubs are to create a more inviting, cozy space, now is the time to do it. When plants prepare to go dormant, it’s a good time to move them because they won’t use up as many resources to stay alive.

• If you were an avid summer gardener, it’s time to pack up your soil or seed bags. Drain your hoses and store them for the colder months. Taking the time to move these things keeps your outdoor space uncluttered and looking clean.

• If fall fires are on your fall to-do list, cut and stack some firewood to prepare for nights full of s’mores and fire-side chats.

• Give your outdoor patio furniture a good scrub down, and consider rearranging it to create an inviting atmosphere.

2. Add Fall Decor

‘Tis the season for fun, fall decor! Elevate your outdoor space and set the mood for fall with seasonal colors and themes. Add in some pumpkins, straw decor and scarecrows. Go spooky with Halloween-inspired decor, like skeletons, witches or ghouls. Take an old wagon and add fall mums, pumpkins, colored corn cobs and gourds for a cute garden vignette.

A foolproof way to make your outdoor space fit for fall is to layer up your textiles. Nothing says cozy like a bunch of layers. Sprinkle in cranberry and emerald tones to set the vibe. A mix of orange, red and yellow accent colors with pillows, outdoor rugs and throws makes the perfect scene for a fall gathering.

3. Spruce Up the Lighting

Proper outdoor lighting can enhance the ambiance of any outdoor space. Good lighting extends the usability of your yard or patio late into the evening, highlights specific architectural features or landscaping elements and improves the safety and security of your gatherings by illuminating pathways.

Plug in string lights to scatter across your gazebo, between fence posts or up trees. Strategically place lanterns across side tables and pathways to exude warmth. Bring autumn-scented candles around the dining area and on coffee tables. And, of course, you can create a burst of light by firing up the fire pit.

4. Add Heating Solutions

Fall nights can get chilly, so provide warmth for your guests with a fire pit or patio heaters. The gentle glow of these outdoor heaters adds ambiance to your outdoor space and provides peak comfort.

Different options are available, from propane to natural gas to electric. Find the solution that’s perfect for your space and your family.

5. Don’t Forget Comfortable Seating

You can rearrange your patio furniture to maximize space and promote conversation and relaxation.

Built-in benches are a great way to maximize seating space, add storage and create a seamless look. You can customize the benches to fit the dimensions of your outdoor area, big or small, and choose materials that complement your existing decor.

If you have the space, add an outdoor sectional or a pair of sofas. This gives you ample seating for large gatherings. If you are more limited on space, add an outdoor breakfast nook or bistro set where you can enjoy morning coffee, lunch with a friend or hot cider on chilly nights.

6. Prepare for Dining and Entertaining

If you have an outdoor table, set your dining area with fall-themed table decorations and centerpieces. Add pops of plaid or rust-colored orange accents with your napkins, table runners or tablecloths. Use different-colored pumpkins and gourds for a gorgeous centerpiece sure to stir up conversations.

Once it’s time to entertain, get the activities and games ready. For outdoor games, especially if you have kids, try bobbing for apples or pumpkin painting or carving. For family fun, a competitive game of cornhole is always a blast.

Once everyone gets worn out, it’s time for dessert and relaxation. Set up a table with s’mores supplies and wheel out a projector to make it a movie night with one of your favorite fall flicks.

7. Incorporate Nature

Just because summer is over doesn’t mean you have to say goodbye to lush greenery. Here are a few fall-friendly plants that you can add to your outdoor living space:

• Monardo: This is a late-summer blooming flower. Pollinators love it, and they grow excellent in partial shade. These perennials are hardy in USDA zones 4 through 9 and grow best when planted in the fall.

• Heuchera: This is an evergreen loved by gardeners everywhere. These plants produce flower spikes throughout the fall and give beautiful, colorful foliage.

• Sedum: Sedum is one of the hardiest plants, making it great for a fall garden. Use these plants as ground cover or pop them in a planter to create a drapey effect around your outdoor space. They spill beautifully over the edges of a pot.

• Chrysanthemums: You can’t have an outdoor space in the fall without a few ‘mums or Chrysanthemums. From tiny blooms to big show-stoppers, there’s a mum out there for everyone. Once the mums are out, you know fall has finally arrived.

8. Consider the Weather

The start of fall is full of crisp mornings and a slight chill against the sun beaming down. But later in the season, it can get downright cold and windy as winter starts to arrive. To make your outdoor space resilient to cooler fall weather, consider adding pergolas, umbrellas and awnings to add cover.

Choose flexible, weather-resistant furnishings that work indoors and out. Nesting coffee tables, folding dining sets, ottomans with wheels and modular seating allow you to move pieces as needed between indoor and outdoor spaces.

Elevate Your Outdoor Space With Alsco®

Once you tackle upgrading your outdoor space, making it more cozy and inviting for fall, consider upgrading the beauty and functionality of your home’s entire exterior.

Alsco is ready to be your trusted partner for vinyl and aluminum siding and all the accessories you need. With a legacy dating back to 1947, we have high-quality, low-maintenance building products to meet your needs.

From soffits to trim coils, we have a range of products designed to create stunning curb appeal all year long. Check out our product offering and find the best option for your next project.