As the weather changes and autumn approaches, the chill in the air can bring with it a chill of sadness – your days of patio living are fading with the summer light. It doesn’t have to be that way, though; there are plenty of ways to ensure that you can spend just as much time in your beautiful outdoor space even as the seasons change. With just a few touches here and there, you can ensure that it’s easy to curl up with a cup of coffee or tea and watch the changing leaves, eat comforting meals where only a few months before you were grilling fresh summer veggies, or simply retire to your patio with a glass of good wine and your best friends. Patio living can extend your days and nights of enjoying the beauty of nature, as well as the beautiful space you’ve constructed for yourself. Sit back on your Velago sectional lounge, relax, and get ready to enjoy fall as much as you’ve enjoyed this summer.
All The Little Details
What makes patio living so wonderful is the way it puts you into the heart of the world while still allowing you to stay in your own beautiful home. By changing your patio to reflect the seasons, you’ll enjoy your private oasis even more, and a few small details make a world of difference. Depending on where you live, autumn nights can be chilly, so an outdoor heater is a good way to make the most of the season. Plug-in models are now cheap, reliable, and safe to use, while still spreading a warm glow over your patio – look for an adjustable, weather-safe model for maximum usage value. You’ll also want to prepare for the weather, which means investing in an umbrella or other awning if you haven’t done so yet. (There’s few things more relaxing than staying warm and dry while the soft fall rain pitter-patters around you.) If you like gardening, autumn-blooming flowers and bushes with dramatic autumn foliage are a good bet for your patio, although evergreens (especially dwarf varieties) will also remain seasonal and beautiful in winter. Other little decorating touches – pumpkins and other gourds, or bursts of autumnal colour – will give you an inviting space you can’t wait to spend time in .
Preparing For The Season
You’ve heard of spring cleaning – not try the fall variety! Spilled liquids can easily be wiped off of our cushions, but you’ll want to make sure that you’ve treated any marks which have appeared. (If the water-repellant coating is breaking time, simply re-apply it before fall sets in.) You’ll also want to clean your patio set by simply vacuuming and wiping them off with a soft, damp cloth. This is a good time to ensure that your home insurance is up to date and covers everything you assume it does; for many people, home contents insurance is the right option for their peace of mind. Making an investment in a beautiful space is much easier when you know that you have everything covered, so set your mind at ease and read through the small print on your insurance papers. Finally, prepare the cover you’ll use when the season is over so that you can put your beautiful furniture away to wait for the end of winter.
Make The Most Of It All
Summer may get all the attention when it comes to leisurely get-togethers, but autumn is a wonderful time for everything from barbecues to dinner parties. Throughout September, the lingering warmth and clear skies make for wonderful casual parties and barbecues; you might find that the mild weather allows you to enjoy them even more! With a good outdoor heater you can also impress and delight your friends and family by inviting them to an al fresco dinner party, complete with candle lanterns. Of course, you’ll also want to enjoy your space in your free time, so make it easy to do so. A comfortable throw kept by the door will keep you cozy, and a travel mug will let you sip something warm without worrying that it will cool off, or that you’ll drop and break the mug. Fall is coming, and the leaves are changing, but there’s no reason to be melancholy when you can enjoy your space for months to come.
contributed by Emma Catesby
