OUTDOOR LIVING AND LIGHTING IN THE FALL

The colors, the twirling leaves, and the distinct woodsy aroma that fills the air as neighbors start lighting fireplaces, fire pits, and leaf piles make fall one of the best seasons of the year for outdoor living. Not to mention watching football in the outdoor living room and tailgating in the backyard! Some people don't really consider fall to be a season for outdoor life, preferring to batten down the hatches and get ready for winter instead. The following advice, however, can assist you in extending your outdoor living season and making the most of your outdoor spaces well into the winter.

TIPS FOR BETTER OUTDOOR LIVING IN THE LIGHT

The atmosphere of a well lighted outdoor living area is one of the nicest parts of fall outdoor living. Not the harsh overhead lights, mind you. We're talking about illuminating the area subtly with a warm glow. Low-voltage lighting from a variety of sources is required to generate this kind of warm ambience. Hardscaped areas gain flair and practicality from the gentle radiance of paver lights and garden wall accent lights. The best thing is that there is a Bluetooth converter that enables you to use your phone to control the lights!

Add some of these lighting alternatives here and there for improved outdoor life as well:

-A festive touch to your lighting design can be added by using shatterproof Edison string lights. -Additionally, there are solar-powered options. Just make sure that everything is rated for outside use and is waterproof.

-Like hardscape lights, landscape lights enhance the beauty of your outdoor space while also enhancing safety, particularly along paths. Using garden accent lights to "uplight" trees gives them an ethereal aspect.

-When using real candles, take safety in mind as they lend a rustic flavor. A safer alternative, flameless LED candles can be purchased in handy multi-pack numbers and are controlled by a single remote or a timer.

-A well-placed pendant light can increase functionality without detracting from the atmosphere of an outdoor kitchen or bar. They also like the idea of the "outdoor room."

T-here is nothing like the cozy glow of a real fire to improve the mood of an outdoor location, whether it be a fire bowl, fire pit, or other fire feature.

INTERIOR DESIGN FOR THE SEASON

Being able to be a little bolder than you might be with the normally more neutral palette of an interior room is one of the exciting features of decorating an outdoor living space. However, it is now appropriate to store the vibrant summer colors and replace them with milder tones. Keep your outdoor throw pillows if they're still in good condition! Simply use fresh pillowcases. Many options are available on Amazon and Etsy that are reasonably priced to allow you to change your design theme seasonally — even adding some "team colors" to the arsenal for those backyard tailgate parties. Incorporate seasonal flowers, gourds, and rustic design elements like lanterns, wicker, or aged wood and metals to further accentuate the fall theme.

PROTECTING THE CALM

You and your visitors will need a way to stay warm and comfortable during the fall months if you want to make the most of your outdoor living spaces, especially during the chillier hours of the night or morning. In addition to providing a cozy gathering place, a fire pit, fireplace, or fire table will also give your room a visual center of attention. Place plush throw blankets on seat walls or the arms of furniture to increase comfort and create a cozier atmosphere. To offer ambient heat across your entire outdoor living space, you might also wish to buy outdoor floor or tabletop heaters. Retractable solar shades can be added to a porch or pergola to provide shade from the harsh sun in the summer and comfort in the winter by keeping out the wind and trapping any ambient heat produced by space heaters.

CONSIDERATIONS FOR MAINTENANCE

Additionally, autumn is an excellent time to perform minor maintenance on your outdoor living areas to maintain them attractive and useful. If you have a pool, you might want to think about covering it to prevent leaves from clogging filters and changing the pH of the water. A covered pool, however, lacks appeal. So be careful to increase your weekly maintenance to account for the extra debris if you decide to keep it exposed for aesthetic reasons. To enhance the mood of the evening, you can also add some floating pool lights.