Guest Blog Post by The Home Depot

Outdoor rooms have become very popular across the country. We’re looking to squeeze every last bit of living space and value out of our homes and there’s no reason that all of us can’t enjoy our back yards throughout the fall months even in colder climates. The bright palette of summer colors deepens to a rich, darker one and regardless of the actual climate, it’s time to celebrate the harvest season by turning the back yard patio into a cozy fall retreat.

Indoor/outdoor fabrics have been around for a long time, but today’s amazing products bare little to no resemblance to the heavy awning stripes that we so often think of when it comes to using fabric outdoors. Swap out your summery patio cushions with deeper, richer tones for fall and your outdoor room will take on a whole new life. From sheers to chenilles, these sturdy outdoor fabrics will stand up to the elements no matter where you live.

Have you seen some of the new outdoor carpets on the market? As with outdoor fabrics, these beauties are pretty enough for indoor use, but sturdy enough for use outdoors as well. Most often made from nylon or polypropylene, these rugs retain their vibrant hues year after year. Cleaning is a breeze – just hose them off! Looking for a truly personalized option? Paint your own floorcloth using left-over vinyl flooring, which can be cut to your exact size preference. Simply prime with a heavy duty primer, paint and protect with a lacquer coat or three. Allow plenty of drying time between steps and you will have a long-lasting and completely personalized outdoor carpet.

When the temps really start to drop, heat things up with a cozy fire pit or a portable chiminea. Regardless of the time of year, there is little that is more relaxing than sharing a bottle of wine or a pot of hot chocolate while staring into the burning embers.

Don’t let the shorter days keep you inside! Light up your outdoor space with an array of fabulous fixtures from solar powered patio lanterns, twinkling strings of outdoor mini-lights hung off of railings and chunky pillar candles inside protective hurricane lamps. Lighting is not only attractive, but a safety feature as well. In addition to the decorative lighting ideas mentioned above, highlight your walkways and stairs with low-voltage and solar powered spot and floodlights.

Pumpkins aren’t just for making pie and jack-o’lanterns. Hollowed out small pumpkins make great vases for festive seasonal flowers or candles and a large hollowed out gourd can be filled with ice for a unique ice bucket.

When lush summer blooms are long gone from our gardens, they can feel completely dead, literally overnight. Fill in the empty spots with pots of multi-colored mums that will last throughout the season.

Linda Merrill is an interior designer from Massachusetts, who enjoys writing about projects for The Home Depot. Besides providing advice on interior décor, Linda’s interests range from giving fun entertainment tips to helpful hints on creating cozy outdoor spaces using patio cushions and inventive outdoor furniture arrangement.