Summer is out. With sporadic showers and shorter days, we can expect a return to the indoors for more cosy and intimate living. However, in smaller homes and compact apartments, losing that balcony, porch or garden space leaves us feeling like a canned sardine for the rest of the year.
It’s obvious that it’s cold, wet and dark outside and that it can’t be helped. But it feels like you’re left with the options to either build an outhouse or buy a raincoat and suck it up.
If you love the outdoors and want to continue your garden gatherings, there are affordable and aesthetic ways to keep guests warm, dry and (as the nights draw in) discernable. We spoke to two experts in interior design to get their top tips for hosting through autumn and winter.
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Why Should I Keep Hosting Outdoors past summer?
“Because it feels magical,” Thalia Shaw, Owner & Founder of Sparkle Lighting, says. “Crisp air, cosy lighting and warm food and drinks create an atmosphere you just don’t get indoors.”
“In summer, it’s all about long light evenings but throughout the cooler months, it’s all about creating a cosy, intimate setting with friends and family,” Claire Jasnikowska, Product Development Manager, at Ruma adds.
By going indoors, you not only lose space but lose the atmosphere and calm that comes with being outdoors. Autumn and winter are just as beautiful as summer and spring—they just demand different design choices to set the scene.
To create said atmosphere, Thalia suggests that you treat autumn hosting as a separate endeavour to summer: “It’s all about comfort and cosiness—think blankets, warm drinks, soft lighting—rather than sunshine, salads and chilled cocktails.”
If You Had to Host Outdoors Next Week, What Would Your Set Up Look Like?
“My ideal set up would be snuggled up on our outdoor corner set under our Abierto Pergola, gathered around a fire pit,” Claire says. “When the weather starts to take a turn for the worse, we can close the roof and sides, then pop the LED lights on for added ambient lighting.”
If you’re in need of a rain covering but have a tight budget, why not opt for a retractable awning?
She also recommends a fire pit—it can be a lovely focal point. If your outdoor space allows for it, an outdoor fire pit can foster intimacy and deeper conversation whilst also creating a warm glow to compliment other ambient lighting.
“I’d create a snug, inviting space with layered fairy lights, lanterns, LED candles, a firepit and soft throws on chairs,” Thalia says.
The non-negotiable for her is the layered lighting: “They instantly add warmth and ambience, turning a cold evening into something cosy and inviting. Lighting is essential because it sets the mood and keeps the space feeling welcoming, even on dark nights.”
Affordable Autumn Outdoor Hosting Tips
“Shelter is key,” Thalia stresses. “A gazebo, pergola with canopy, or even oversized umbrellas help keep rain at bay.”
Claire encourages layering heated products to avoid the awkward huddling around a single heat source for warmth. She says that the goal is comfort, which can be achieved “with heated cushions, blankets, fire lanterns and fire pits.”
You could also add some outdoor heaters. There are freestanding and clip-on products that work well with outdoor umbrellas and freestanding verandas.
As it’s also darker, the goal is to scatter the light in the same way as the heat. Different forms of ambient lighting create an all-round visually warm setting. Why not check out our rechargeable lighting guide for outdoor options?
Another way to keep guests warm is through the menu. According to Thalia, “hot mulled wine at the ready” is an essential for keeping guests warm from the get-go.
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