Create a Fall Friendly Outdoor Living Space on a Budget

Believe it or not, the Fall Season is not JUST about Pumpkin Spice Lattes (we'll save our PSL obsession for another post). It's also a great time of year to have a lot of fun in an outdoor living space with your loved ones or relax in your own cozy nook.

There's no reason to pack up your patio furniture now that it's the beginning of Fall. Turn your porch, deck, patio or yard into a welcoming hangout and continue to enjoy the outdoors. Bonus - this is a fantastic time of year to pick up patio furniture, grills and other outdoor goodies for a steal!

Create Outdoor Fall Living Space

Here are some quick and easy ways to make your outdoor living space into a Fall friendly retreat.

1. Floor it! 

Add a weather-resistant rug in warm fall colors. If you're a DIY'er, try painting an 'area rug' on your concrete or wood surface. You guessed it, Pinterest has a lot of great ideas and how-to videos to help you create your own painted flooring. While you're at it, toss in a couple of weather-resistant pillows to match.

 2. Build it!

Don't have a patio, deck or porch? Pick up some recycled rubber pavers and easily create a patio space. Pavers come in a variety of shapes, styles and sizes. Interlock pavers to make a patio look or lay some round pavers and surround with stone or mulch to make a walkway.

Most home and garden stores carry pavers at as little as $0.99 each. Learn how to install rubber tiles. Want to go a little fancier? Consider installing deck tiles.

 3. Warm it!

Who doesn't like to sit around a cozy fire with family, friends or even a latte and good book? Regardless of where your home is located, you're most likely allowed to have a covered fire pit. You'll save a lot of money if you snag a portable fire pit or a build-it-yourself kit at the end of the season. You can find a variety of styles and price points at your local hardware store or big box home improvement center.

Make sure you find out regulations in your area before you purchase.  No fire allowed? Portable propane heaters are now sleeker and more design friendly. You can pick one up for just over $100 or get super stylish version for a few hundred from Hayneedle.com.

4. Cover it!

Purchase a Pergola at an end-of-the-season sale or spruce up the one you already have! Hang Autumn colored curtains or drape material from the ceiling for a little wind break. Here's Homedit's 10 Ways to Decorate Your Pergola. If you already have a covered area, you can hang curtains with hooks or curtain rods. Houzz has some how-tos for hanging outdoor curtains.

5.  Light it!

Adding lighting by draping Christmas lights (yes, Christmas decor is already on the shelves).  You can also use lanterns and solar lights. By now, you've probably seen the vintage looking patio string lights that are easy to hang and look fabulous in any outdoor space. This give a romantic and fun feel to your area.  One quick click to Pinterest and 453 yard lighting ideas popped up, so it should be easy for you to find outdoor lighting ideas you like, that are within your budget.

Feeling creative?  Refinish an old chandelier and hang it outside!

6. Plant it!

If you've got a green thumb (and even if you don't), you have a lot of options to use Fall flowers and plants to warm up your outdoor spaces. 

Birds & Blooms offers up the Top 10 Backyard Vines With Fall Flair you can used around your covered porch, pergola or wrought iron plant holders.  Add a splash of seasonal color by mixing brightly colored blooms with vivid grasses and foliage in some cheap or DIY planters.  

Find out your Planting Zone, before you get started.  For those of us that are gardening challenged - HGTV offers up 13 Can't-Kill Flowers for Beginners!

 7. Personalize it!

If you're on social media (and since you're reading this post, we're sure you are), you've seen the fairly new and fun trend is to attend paint and sip parties or make and take sign events. You can find local shops that host these events. You can also invite your friends over and craft together or make your own sign while enjoying the fire pit or pergola you now have. Use weather-resistant materials to add a personal touch to your outdoor living space.

 8. Use it!

Once you've made your outdoor living space warm and welcoming, it's time to enjoy it. Most of us don't have a bubbly hot tub to sit in, but you still have lots of options when it comes to outdoor seating suitable for cooler temps. Regardless if you plan to update or refresh existing outdoor furniture or in the market for something new, consider adding warm fall colored or neutral blankets and cushions for a cozy feel.  

Now all you have left to do is decide if you're inviting people over to enjoy your updated outdoor space or if you're going to pick out a few good books and a pumpkin spice latte to curl up with.

Get more inspiration with DigsDigs 40 Cozy Fall Decorating Ideas and Country Living's 37 Cozy Ways to Decorate Your Porch for Fall.