1. RETHINK YOUR LIGHTING SCHEME
When it comes to coziness, backyard and decking lighting is always first on the list. Just like with your interiors, the perfect lighting can create ambiance and warmth. What's more, from a functional perspective, lighting helps keep the space well-lit as the nights draw in earlier throughout the season. ‘A key component is lighting,’ says architect and designer at Toronto-based Reign Architects Inc, Jacob JeBailey.
2. ADD THROWS AND CUSHIONS
For your outdoor seating area, add throws and cushions to your benches or sofas to help bring softness to the space. Accessorizing with pillows adds comfort, while throws can bring a decadent feel to your outdoor seating area.
3. CREATE A COZY COLOR PALETTE
Color palettes aren't just for interior rooms and you can style your backyard for fall with a cohesive garden color scheme that feels cozy. Look to the surrounding flora and fauna found in your backyard for inspiration and take your cues from the colors of the seasonal changing leaves.
4. ENJOY INDOOR/OUTDOOR LIVING FOR LONGER WITH A SCREENED PORCH
We love the prospect of indoor/outdoor living that the summer months bring, but that's less viable come the cooler months. A screened-in porch is a must-have, allowing you to blend the indoor and outdoor space and use your outdoor space for longer.
5. BRING SOFTNESS UNDERFOOT WITH A RUG
A soft rug is a great addition to your backyard and sure to up the coziness. I'm super impressed with the options available at the moment for machine-washable weaves that retain their pattern and are easy to clean. Ruggable has some great washable options, as do Annie Selke.
6. EMBRACE NATURAL MATERIALS
Think about the material you pick for your modern outdoor furniture, helping to blend the furniture with your surroundings to bring a cozy feel that embraces nature. Include various types of outdoor appropriate hardwood like teak that withstand whatever weather conditions but look beautiful as they patina over time. 'My thoughts on creating a 'cozy' backyard is to incorporate natural materials wherever possible,' says Jacob.
7. CREATE LIGHT AND WARMTH WITH A FIREPIT
Tie your outdoor area together with a firepit focal point that keeps you warm during the colder evenings and brings a cozy flickering glow to the space. 'A modern minimalist outdoor firepit helps to establish seasonless ambiance,' says David.
8. BRING AUTUMNAL PLANTS TO YOUR BACKYARD
Finally, planters are crucial to bring that cozy feel to your backyard. ‘Soften the hardscaping by adding planters,’ says Kat Aul Cervoni, landscape designer and founder of Staghorn NYC and The Cultivation by Kat. 'I love grouping planters in a mix of sizes together for an instant bit of lushness and dimension. Odd numbers tend to look best, but play with what works in your space.'