18 Cozy Patio Ideas to Get Your Space Ready for Autumn 

As the weather turns chilly, there is no better way to prepare for it than cozy patio ideas to create an inviting retreat outdoors. Cozy patios are an excellent vantage point from which you can observe the changing of the leaves, the soothing sound of rainfall, and the pleasant light of a firepit.

Modern patio autumn design

So whether you want to create a space for entertaining your friends and neighbors or just a more optimal place to take in the sounds and smells of the season, there are a variety of ways to make the patio your prime entertainment area throughout the fall season and beyond.

Cozy Patio Ideas

Cozy patio ideas are all about creating a warm and welcoming outdoor space where you can enjoy the beauty of the changing seasons.


1. Warm Lighting

Warm Lighting
Accents Lighting

Incorporating warm lighting into your patio design will give it a festive look all year round. Adding lighting such as string lighting, spotlights, and ambient sources of light will allow you to use your patio longer as the daylight hours get shorter.


2. Different Seating Zones

Different Seating Zones
Krista + Home

Depending on how you use your patio, it can make sense to scatter different types of seating throughout your patio space. Use comfortable lounging furniture in areas where people gather and relax. Add a table and chairs in an area near a grill so that people can sit and enjoy a meal together. Having these different seating types will give you flexibility and allow people using the patio to sit according to their tastes.


3. Incorporate Folding Patio Doors

Incorporate Folding Patio Doors
GM Construction

Folding patio doors are one of the best ways to blend your patio with your living space. Folding doors, or accordion doors, can easily open or close to create a patio space that is versatile to meet different weather conditions. Folding patio doors have an advantage over other types of doors because they create wide openings that make seamless indoor/outdoor entertainment possible.


4. Outdoor Fire Source

Outdoor Fire Source
SCJ Studio Landscape Architecture

A fire pit or outdoor fireplace is an excellent addition to patios for chilly autumn evenings. If you choose to use a firepit, there are excellent but portable options available that you can bring out when the cold sets in and replace with a coffee table or cooler during the summer months.


5. Add a Plush Porch Swing

Add a Plush Porch Swing
Alan Clark Architects

When you think porch swing, don’t imagine your grandmother’s creaky wooden slat porch swing. Instead, imagine yourself floating on a platform suspended from the ceiling, covered in a comfy mattress-like foundation and surrounded by pillows. Throw a blanket in the mix and this new and improved porch swing is the ideal addition to expand the seating on your cold-season patio.


6. Create Privacy

Create Privacy
Howells Architecture + Design

Whatever the size of your patio, it is easier to create comfort if you aren’t sharing the space with all of your neighbors. Create a more private patio space using wooden screens, greenery, or stonework. Rather than feeling cramped, you will feel cozier when you can relax and enjoy the intimate space with just the people you want.


7. Incorporate Greenery

Incorporate Greenery
Urrutia Design

We love patio spaces because they extend our living space into the outside world. You can enhance the beauty and intimacy of your patio space by incorporating greenery in large pots or by planting directly in the ground. Use greenery to add texture but also fill the void spaces to create more privacy.


8. Comfy Seating

Comfy Seating
Culbertson Interiors

Investing in comfortable outdoor furniture with plush cushions and pillows is a good way to make your patio more cozy throughout the colder season. If you want to use the same seating all year round, look for options where you can still use the seating if you remove the cushions or swap the thick cushions for something more sleek and cooling for hot skin.


9. Hot Beverage Station

Hot Beverage Station
Dura Supreme Cabinetry

Set up a hot beverage station where you and your guests can help themselves with tea, hot chocolate, or coffee. This does not have to be part of an elaborate kitchen set-up, rather, if your patio has access to electricity, an electric kettle, water, and beverage choices are all you need to make the station functional.


10. Use Outdoor Curtains

Use Outdoor Curtains
Dotter & Solfjeld Architecture + Design

Outdoor curtains provide multiple benefits for patios. They create more privacy and protection from outdoor elements like the sun and wind. Therefore, outdoor curtains are not just useful in colder weather, they are useful all year round. Patio curtains are an easy option for patios that have existing structural covers like pergolas or outdoor columns and beams. The best types of outdoor curtains are those made from synthetic materials like olefin, acrylic, and polyester. These stand up to the wear and tear of the outdoor environment better than natural options like cotton.


11. Basket of Blankets

Basket of Blankets
Barry + Volkmann

One of the most exciting aspects of fall weather is its variability, warm evenings followed by blasts of frost. Prepare yourself for the changing weather by equipping your patio with a basket of ready throw blankets. Add to the style of your patio by using baskets of different sizes and textures each holding blankets of different weights and materials.


12. Add a Rug

Add a Rug
Janine Dowling Design

Including a rug in the seating or dining area of a patio is a way to make the space more visually cohesive. Rugs are excellent for providing a barrier for bare feet and warming a given space. By using a weather-resistant rug made from synthetic materials like recycled plastic you will ensure that your rug can stay on your patio through every changing season.


13. S’mores Bar

S’mores Bar
Design by Misha

Create a DIY s’mores bar on your patio with graham crackers, marshmallows, chocolate, skewers, and a fire source. This activity keeps adults and children engaged for hours. It will also ensure that your interior stays mess-free during dessert.


14. Install Outdoor Heaters

Install Outdoor Heaters
Renaissance Homes

Patios that you can use during every season are the most useful for expanding our living space. Outdoor heaters, installed on the ceiling or as stand-alone units will keep your patio comfortable even during winter.


15. Patio for Two

Patio for Two
Kate Michels Landscape Design

Your patio does not need to be large for you to be able to enjoy it. You can create an intimate and cozy retreat by equipping your patio with a small seating area, containers with greenery, and a privacy barrier.


16. Hang a Hammock

Hang a Hammock
Kimberley Bryan

Adding a hammock to your patio not only expands your outdoor seating, it gives you a space for a quiet nap and adds a touch of whimsy to the design. Be sure to make the most of your hammock experience by equipping it with a pillow, a quilted blanket, and a handy side table to hold your books and warm drinks.


17. Create a Small Nook

Create a Small Nook
Joanna Thornhill Interiors

Small nooks are ideal for reading, quiet reflection, and intimate conversation. Create your own cozy nook using privacy screens or outdoor curtains to enclose the space. Choose comfortable seating that welcomes relaxation. Layer the space with plush pillows, warm throw blankets and lighting options like lamps and fairy lights so that you can use it at all times of the day and in any season.


18. Game Station

Game Station
Arterra Landscape Architects

There is nothing like a friendly game to get your body temperature elevated. Large outdoor games like bocce and croquet are good options if you have the space, but you can also create smaller game stations on your patio. Stash board games, card games, and portable games like cornhole in outdoor cabinets or coffee tables so that they are ready to take out at a moment’s notice.