Fall Porch Decor: Using Outdoor Fall Decorations to Refresh the Patio

In this post: Is your summer patio ready for fall porch decor? Now is the time to use outdoor fall decorations to add seasonal warmth to your patio.⇒

I’m not the type of person who likes to give up.

So when the summer is over and temperatures begin to drop, I’m not ready to give up on the patio.

When the summer flowers have all wilted and the cushions are covered with grass stains, I see it as a challenge. It’s an opportunity to look at the space with fresh eyes and take a little time to give it a seasonal revitalization.

This is when I play with outdoor fall decorations to warm up the patio for fall entertaining.

Outdoor Fall Decorations

Today I’m joining with my favorite group of bloggers to bring you a blog hop focused on fall decorating.  You can find all the other posts linked at the bottom of this one, so be sure to take some time to visit them all.

But first let’s look at how I update the patio to accommodate the new season.

I don’t have much space at our front entrance to decorate a fall porch, so all my efforts go into the space we use, which is the patio that’s off our kitchen.  Because of it’s convenient location, we use it all the time, so I like to keep it welcoming well into November.

My approach to a seasonal update is multi-pronged. Here are 6 ideas for decorating a fall patio.

Fresh Plants

Step one is to clear away the fading plants and bring in some new ones. This is essentially what drove my color palette this year.

The flowers that were still going strong, left over from the summer, were all in a mid-toned pink, so that was my starting point. I decided to stay on the warm side of the color wheel, opting for pink, rust and claret.

Out went the pale blues and lavenders, to be replaced by these richer hues.

Toss Pillows

Next I addressed the throw pillows on our sectional.  This is always the easiest way to update any space and I keep a small wardrobe of pillows in a closet in our basement.

As with the flowers, I pulled out the pale blues and instead added warm neutrals that would work with the mums.

I kept the camel cushions that’ve been here all summer and brought in nubby textured pillows in cream and beige. The wooly texture gives a cozy feel and I punctuated the grouping with a menswear tweed.

Throw Blankets

If we’re going to sit outside on a crisp fall day, an essential component of our patio decor is a range of throw blankets.

Apart from their usefulness in adding comfort, this is another opportunity to add in autumnal color. I love pretty plaids and coarse weave solids and mix them in with the other textiles.

Pumpkins

Of course, this one is a no-brainer but it bears mentioning. I love to decorate with heirloom pumpkins and adding them to our patio has a surprising advantage.

When I used to keep pumpkins by our front entrance, the deer in the area used to destroy them as soon as I put them out. But our patio in the back is not accessible from the lawn, so the pumpkins can stay for as long as they naturally last.

I enjoy the softer colors of the heirloom varieties and their interesting shapes are half the fun!

Lanterns

I often use wood lanterns in my fall decor, although this time I chose glass to fill with pretty craft pumpkins. For evening I could tuck in a pillar candle, encircled by the small pumpkins used as filler.

In general for fall I like to add lanterns and candles as they offer the suggestion of cozy warmth.

Copper Serving Pieces

If there’s one thing that says fall more than anything else, it’s copper! It reflects the color of the season and the waning sunlight, and also comes in useful pieces.

I enjoy using it for serving pieces when we’re entertaining outdoors, whether it be Moscow mules, a vintage copper coffee pot or a serving tray.

Copper adds a richness that perks up any fall space.

When the mums hit the shelves in the neighborhood garden center, I know it’s time to update my patio.

I love clearing away the debris that accumulated all summer and giving our little space an extended life span. We still enjoy coming out here to relax with a hot drink or a glass of wine, and while the towels have been replaced by blankets, it’s an effort worth our time.

Because I’m just not one to give up so easily.

Please enjoy all of the other posts below:

Designthusiasm | In My Own Style | Maison de Cinq

On Sutton Place | Shabbyfufu | Southern Hospitality | StoneGable