These seasonal upgrades will help fortify your backyard for cool season living.
Soon after we had pavers installed on our patio, we began creating a haven where we could eat, play and relax outside. This involved refitting an old picnic table, putting up shade cloth for hot weather and planting flowers in our raised beds and patio planters to frame our living space.
These efforts created a welcoming environment that we enjoyed day after day. When the last of the warm season ended, I lamented to my husband: “It’s so nice to be outside. I don’t want to go back to spending so much time indoors.”
“Do we have to?” he replied.
Why outdoor living doesn’t have to end when summer does
When temperatures drop, people typically move indoors and centre our lives around indoor spaces. But this doesn’t have to be the case.
Instead, there are things we can do to extend the things we love about summer into our outdoor spaces, to make them more welcoming for fall and winter. Even better, we can play to the seasons’ strengths, embracing the clean, crisp air, hosting outdoor gatherings around firepits, and hunkering down in cozy structures perfect for any weather.
What makes an outdoor space ‘cozy’?
The things we crave in cold weather may be different than the height of summer, but they’re no harder to provide. Soft blankets, comfy textures, protection from wind and precipitation all contribute to creating a cozy space conducive to outdoor living.
While “cozy” has become synonymous with chunky sweaters and warm, wool socks, you can also create a cozy outdoor atmosphere by considering the following elements.
Saunas and plunges
The ultimate in cold weather living, saunas take any backyard to the next level by adding a home-spa element. Adding a sauna creates not just warmth but ritual—a place to unwind, recharge and savor the season. Perched near a perimeter fence or tucked into a corner, these workhorses further extend your yard’s usefulness and comfort.
To add to the health benefits, pair your sauna with an outdoor shower or cold plunge tub for a true Nordic experience. A cold plunge tub can double as a striking design feature, especially when surrounded by natural elements like cedar decking, river stones or evergreen plantings. Positioned near a sauna or fire feature, it creates a spa-like atmosphere that feels both modern and restorative.
Firepits and heaters
The Lumin Classic Fire Pit offers warmth and beauty on a chilly night.
If you grew up where snow blanketed the ground in winter, staying warm outdoors meant exerting extra effort. For us, this involved building smoky fires next to the pond where we spent hours skating, along with wool throws and heavy snowsuits.
These days you can add a touch of warmth to any outdoor living space with smoke-free firepits or outdoor heaters perfect for warming cold toes and fingers.
We love open fire grills that double as fire pits when you’re not in a cooking mood. Circular fire pits or fire tables meant strictly for warmth and ambience are also worth considering if your goal is primarily aesthetic.
Just remember to avoid firepits made from thin metal (less than ⅛ of an inch or 3mm), as these last only a season or two. Even when coated or galvanized, these thin models will degrade quickly with heat, warping and forming rust. Instead, look for stainless steel for wood burning or robust poly lumber for durability and sustainability in propane varieties.
Outdoor structures
Octagonal gazebos like this 10′ cedar panelized option add a layer of enclosure to any yard.
There’s a reason kids love forts: they feel protective and cozy. Backyard structures can create the same sense of comfort in the off-season by protecting your living space from chilling temperatures.
Installing a pergola with a seasonal roof, a gazebo or a patio cover can stop precipitation from reaching you when you’re enjoying the outdoors and provide the privacy needed for intimate conversation. We particularly love circular structures or those with sturdy, long lasting frames.
Consider the utility of your structure: what will you use it for? That can help inform your choice.
Comfortable furniture
The Lanai Loveseat deep-seating outdoor couch offers insulation against the cold and a cozy place to curl up.
Wrap your outdoor living space in seasonal warmth and comfort by layering texture and warmth. Start with a deep-seating sofa or swing softened with plush, weather-resistant cushions—perfect for enjoying hot beverages while leaves fall and dusk settles.
Surround this with Adirondack chairs made from durable materials that are able to withstand snow, moisture and changing weather. Enrich the setting with flannel blankets, textured throws and even a sheepskin accent layered on seating to invite cozy curling up.
Ambient lighting
Warm lighting adds another layer of cozy to any space. String lights, lanterns or outdoor-rated candles cast a gentle glow that contrasts with crisp nights. The result? An inviting outdoor haven where you can extend evenings comfortably into late fall and even the winter months.
Lining paths with solar-charged lights is another way to reduce your impact while increasing safety and visibility.
Seasonal plantings and displays
Using raised planters to frame our patio on two sides gave the space the feeling of an outdoor living room with ample privacy. Filling those planters with seasonal greens further extended that feeling of vibrancy that comes with the growing season.
In our case, we swapped out summer annuals for fall lettuces, kales, purple asters and fall mums to add a dash of color. Winter pansies planted around the borders further enlivened the space.
To increase that seasonal feeling, scatter autumnal accents like gourds, pumpkins or natural centerpieces on nearby tables to ground the space in fall beauty.
Tips for adding even more coziness to your outdoor space
- Add heated bench pads or outdoor cushions with insulating layers to keep seating comfortable on frosty nights.
- Swap out container plants, throws and lanterns to match the season. Think pumpkins in fall and evergreen boughs and fairy lights in winter—for a dynamic, lived-in feel.
- Layer weatherproof rugs to add warmth underfoot and reduce cold air rising from stone or concrete patios.
- Keep blankets, storage baskets and warming trays within reach for spontaneous gatherings.
- Incorporate mirrors, glass lanterns or metallic planters to amplify candlelight and make your space glow during short winter days.
- Even if you don’t have a permanent sauna or plunge tub, consider hot tubs, heated foot baths or small portable saunas for a touch of luxury.
- Clearly define paths with lights, stepping stones or mulch to safely guide guests and frame your landscape.
Cozy outdoor living all year round
Cozy outdoor living in fall and winter is all about blending warmth, comfort and connection with nature. By mixing these features together thoughtfully, even the chilliest evenings become an invitation to step outside and savor what your backyard has to offer.
Like what you’re reading? Subscribe to our newsletter below for more sustainable living tips!
