First and foremost finding a way to stay warm is likely one of the most important considerations to stay outside longer.   Not everyone lives on a property that can allow you to have a huge bonfire to sit around and stay warm, but there are solutions.  Propane fireplaces are an excellent alternative to wood burning and offer a clean and safe source of heat.  These fireplaces are available in a wide variety of price points and styles and are readily available at most home stores.  If you are not comfortable with open flames there are numerous safe enclosed heaters that are used commercially on patios to keep spaces warm.  These units are also in a variety of stores including home reno stores and outdoor living specialty shops.n  While outdoor sources of heat won’t allow you to sit outside in the heart of a cold winter, they will allow you to extend the life of your space until winter really sets in.

Once you know you can stay warm, it is time to start looking at ways to make the place feel welcoming. Create a plan of how to incorporate your heat source into your space.  If you chose an outdoor fireplace, consider putting your patio furniture around the fireplace and create a space where you can gather around the heat and enjoy the warmth.  Make sure you have throw blankets on hand to offer those who want an extra level of warmth or comfort.  Sectional outdoor furniture is a great way to build the space that you are looking for.  This type of gathering space is great for bringing family together and enjoy everything the outdoors has to offer. 

A helpful idea to help get everyone to keep going outside is make the space inviting.  Don’t put the decorations away just yet, keep them out or change them over to a fall theme.  Seasonal decorations add to the feel that you are enjoying the fall weather from the comfort of your own home.  Lighting up your space with candles and outdoor lighting will make the late afternoon and early evening look beautiful.  A few strategically placed hanging lights or some quality solar light will add ambience and make people feel welcome and wanting to stay longer.   If you are fortunate enough to have trees in your back yard, enjoy the natural beauty of the colours changing and build on that.  Add some hearty outdoor plants that can withstand the cooler evenings like Mums or Marigolds will bloom all fall long and add a ton of colour to a space that may need some brightening up.

For those of you who enjoy a good bbq or outdoor feast, now isn’t the time to put that BBQ or dining set away just yet.  Keep the food going outside.  In Canada fall offers some of the greatest food that we grow all summer long.  Take the ingredients outside, put a pot on and make a great meal on your BBQ.  Even the smallest BBQ’s will allow you to make a hearty soup or sauce to accompany dinner.  The smell that the will be created from all of those ingredients will certainly get family members outside and waiting for what you are cooking.  A warm soup served in a large coffee cup around a fire pit is a great way to enjoy a fall afternoon.