The Right Way to Transition Your Outdoor Space From Summer to Fall

A DIY expert dishes on her easy-to-follow tips.
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As you deck the indoors with cedar scented candles and stock up on cider, it’s easy to forget about your outdoor space. Whether you have a teeny terrace or limitless lawn, the area should be as functional as it is stylish. One blogger’s inspiring backyard makeover has us totally committed to making a complete transition into fall.

For Sarah Gibson, Founder and Creative Director of lifestyle blog Room For Tuesday, renovating her backyard this summer was a seriously time-consuming undertaking. The two month-long transformation was riddled with a number of DIY projects, like adding a paver patio, creating a custom sofa, and installing a privacy fence. To hide from the Utah heat in the summer, she affixed a tan shade fabric to the pergola to block powerful UV rays and also installed a sleek Haiku overhead fan to keep the area nice and cool.

Ten thousand pounds of concrete and 300 hours later, Gibson and her husband revealed a chic al fresco entertaining space. An envy-inducing backyard like this, however, is only worth putting in the elbow grease if you can enjoy it year-round.

Read on to see how she prepped her backyard for easy autumn living.

Bring out fresh blooms.

When selecting florals for your patio this season, set the scene with a moodier palette. In Gibson’s backyard, mums the word—for fall, that is.

“I love how they cluster into perfect spheres, radiate beautiful autumn hues, and add texture to any outdoor area,” she wrote on her blog. The bold pot makes an eerie statement next to clean, beige furnishings.

Incorporate cozy textiles.

Of course, nothing screams fall quite like irresistibly soft blankets. Luxe throws and cozy pillows are a low-committal and extremely-comfortable way to combat chilly temps. When you’re not snuggling up under the stars, store your blankets in a woven basket that’s easy to access when it gets too cold.

You can also effortlessly elevate your outdoor seating by adding a touch of sheepskin. Gibson layers her plush throw onto freestanding chairs to create a warm and inviting spot to lounge solo.

Stay sane by the heater.

Whether you call Cali or Connecticut home, there’s no denying that an outdoor heater is certainly an essential come nightfall. We love that Gibson’s choice not only has a clean, smokeless burn, but also comes on wheels, so you can move and scoot with ease.

Style with subdued pumpkins.

Could black be the new orange? When it comes to your pumpkins this season, opt for more muted tones and variations. White and pale shades of green make for a strikingly restrained palette, while hand-painted black pumpkins add a gloomy touch of glamour.

Gibson’s coffee table must-haves also include a bluetooth speaker, DIY hand poured candles, and a filled match strike. “I wanted to keep the coffee table styling pretty minimal so it’s easy to bring in and out once we’re finished using the space,” Gibson explained.

This manageable (and easily replicable) DIY backyard getaway is the only place we want to be kicking back this season.

Get the complete backyard look here.

Related reading: 8 Genius Ways to Create a Private Outdoor Space Grassless Backyards That Are Totally Swoon-Worthy 8 Tips to Host the Best Thanksgiving Ever—Outside