Is it really almost Labor Day? Where did summer go? Whew! Time seemed to speed by but that doesn’t mean there still aren’t many days or even weeks left to enjoy swimming. Even if you’re one of those families who close the pool right after Labor Day and the final pool party of the year, you can still enjoy the backyard well into the cooler months of the year.
This is especially true if you have a hot tub or spa because these luxury water-filled structures are even more enjoyable when there is a chill in the air.
Get The Backyard Autumn-Ready
Enjoy these last moments of summer but get ready to get the backyard autumn-ready and kick back and relax for as many hours or weeks that you have left. You can make your outdoor living space comfortable and cozy by adding heaters or a fire feature and warm, cozy blankets and enjoying a hot toddy or hot chocolate.
Before the chill comes to your area of the country, take some time to give your backyard a once over and look at it from different angles and from different times of the day to ensure you have placed the furniture in spaces to enhance the warmth of the space. Ask yourself, “how can I make sure this is a warm, welcoming area when autumn arrives?”
- Look at the photos, ponder them, and the view. Do you still love the placement of your outdoor furniture? Does it fully capture the warmth of the sun for the longest time p; possible? If not, think about rearranging it now.
- How can you amp up the aesthetic appeal and comfort of your existing outdoor living space, but make it comfortable during the cooler months of the year? Do you have to construct a pool house or gazebo? Maybe, but maybe not.
You’ve already moved your indoor living outdoors during the summer, but now you want to see how to extend the outdoor living time long after Labor Day? 
Follow the sun
In the summer you seek the shade. In the autumn you seek the warmth of the sun’s waning rays.
- Rearrange the furniture to the sunny spaces.
- Bring out some darker-colored fabrics into the outdoor living space to soak up the heat and fit better into the cooler months.
- Open the awnings. Pack away the sun-shielding umbrellas.
Move more indoor comfort outdoors.
Just as you moved indoor living to the poolside area in the summer, keep creature comforts at hand even when the pool has been closed for the season.
- A television for football viewing and parties
- A radio to listen to your favorite music while you enjoy dinner
- Warm, comfortable blankets to snuggle under
- Fire features or outdoor heaters
Find a space for indoor electronics or invest in water and weatherproof casing if the weather is rainy in autumn in your neck of the woods. Bring blankets indoors or have a waterproof place to store them by the furniture so they are within reach when you’re outside next.
Warm it up.
Summer will be gone before you know it. Extend the outdoor time by investing in a fire feature or fire pit. A fire pit is a common outdoor feature that provides heat, warmth, beauty and functionality if you use it as a cooking surface.
Firepits and fireplaces can be fueled by:
- Wood
- Natural gas
- Propane.
Wood firepits are more “natural” but require cleanup and planning to get the fire started. You will also have to find a place to store the wood that will keep it dry. Remember wood may draw insects and you will want to keep that in mind when considering the placement of the woodpile.