Courtesy of Anthropologie
15 Outdoor Entertaining Essentials
Grab a Hot Cocktail and a Blanket—Outdoor Season Isn’t Over Yet!
Just because summer has come to an end doesn’t mean that outdoor entertaining season is over. With the glow of a fire pit and some pretty lighting (not to mention a few blankets to snuggle up under), you can extend the patio parties well into October.
We’ve rounded up ten of our favourite outdoor entertaining essentials perfect for back garden s’mores nights and cosy nights on the deck.
Fire Pit for S’Mores Under the Stars
Courtesy of Wayfair
When it comes to making your outdoor space cool weather-ready, the fire pit is key. Heat is one obvious reason, but think of the smell, the potential for s’mores and all the extra time you’ll get to spend gazing up at the stars. Be sure to do some research beforehand—fire pits come in a huge variety, from wood-burning to gas, electric and combinations of those, as well.
Anson Steel Wood-Burning Fire Pit, £285, Wayfair
Outdoor Popcorn Popper
Courtesy of Anthropologie
What could be more fun than this? Whether you use this popcorn popper at a campsite or in your own back garden, it’s always the right time for this salty treat. Keep this festive and unique fireside tool at the ready for impromptu outdoor nights, cosy at-home dates and family gatherings.
Popcorn popper, £35, Anthropologie
Lanterns for Evening Light
Courtesy of Pottery Barn
With the sun setting earlier in the fall, having your outdoor lighting set up on point is even more important. We love these lanterns from Pottery Barn that come in a variety of sizes and are big enough to hold multiple candles (real or faux!) for a cool, layered look.
Caleb lanterns, £50 – £300, Pottery Barn
Natural Woven Placemats for an Autumnal Table
Courtesy of West Elm
When it starts to get cool out, transition your outdoor dining space to reflect the colours of the season. We love the look of natural woven placemats that work as the perfect background for rich coloured soups, roasted vegetables and steaks. (Sorry not sorry—we’re always thinking about our Instagram!)
Fishnet woven placemats, £16/set, West Elm
Rustic Dinerware
Williams Sonoma
Another key element of your outdoor fall tablescape is your dinnerware—all the plates, bowls and platters that help set the mood. We love This rustic set from Williams Sonoma that comes in a variety of hues, but the classic ivory is our favourite of the bunch.
Rustic Outdoor Melamine Dinnerware, £11 – £124, Williams Sonoma
Glass Mugs for Hot Cocktails
Courtesy of Crate and Barrel
Ah yes, it’s hot cocktail season. Time to retire the lemonades and gin and tonic cocktails and start sipping on a little whiskey and cider or a hot toddy. These bistro mugs are perfect for serving up warm drinks on chilly evenings.
Bodum bistro mugs, £15 each, Crate and Barrel
Globe String Lights… Just Because
Courtesy of Crate and Barrel
Beautiful outdoor lighting is important all year long if you ask us. But during the fall months, a little extra glow can really help set the mood. Picture it with us: the fire pit is roaring, orange and red leaves are falling on the grass and you’re basking in the warm, twinkling light of these globe string lights… You’re totally with us now, right?
Globe string lights, £40, Crate & Barrel
Throw Pillows in Darker Colours
Courtesy of Serena and Lily
A simple way to give your outdoor space that “fall feeling” is to replace light colours and patterns with those that feel deeper and richer. We love these textured navy pillow covers from Serena and Lily that still have a festive, California coastal vibe.
Montecito outdoor pillow cover, £98, Serena & Lily
A Seasonally Festive Doormat
Courtesy of Mark and Graham
Little things can make a big difference, right? There’s just something so autumnal about antlers and a simple, understated monogram letter. This doormat from Mark and Graham is just the thing to take your front porch or back door gently into the new season and welcome your guests with a touch of fall style.
Antlers graphic doormat, £89, Mark & Graham
Cosy, Sturdy Throw Blankets
Courtesy of Pendleton
When it comes to cosying up outdoors in the fall, not just any ol’ throw blanket will do. You need something that looks and feels right for the season. We recommend any of the cool, Western-inspired blankets from Pendleton Woollen Mills, but are partial to the striped wool ‘Yakima’ camp blanket, which as a more rugged feel and heavier weight. These blankets are as ideal for Instagram as they are for keeping you toasty warm while you’re toasting marshmallows in the back garden.
Yakima camp blanket, £139, Pendleton
An Outdoor Pizza Oven
Courtesy of Williams Sonoma
Yes, yes, oh yes. What’s better than pizza? Pizza cooked yourself on your patio while wearing a fisherman sweater and sipping an Aperol spritz, that’s what! If you and your family and friends love a good casual Italian night at home, you won’t regret splurging on this very specific and very amazing outdoor pizza oven.
Pizzaria Pronto outdoor pizza oven, £300, Williams Sonoma
A Cosy Conversation Set
Target
Whether you arrange your furniture set around a fire pit or a coffee table covered in s’mores and bowls of popcorn, it’s important to have a cosy place where you can gather under blankets and twinkling lights to relax and take in the fresh fall air.
Threshold Fullerton 4-piece Conversation Set, £1,129, Target
Faux Plants for Year-Round Greenery
Target
If you don’t have the ability to manage real plants and grass and greenery in your outdoor space (a New York City balcony, perhaps?) you can still create the escapist atmosphere with faux plants. Target has a huge selection, and most can stand up to some mild abuse from the weather gods, which means you can leave them outside well into the winter.
Nearly Natural 4.5 ft Fiddle Leaf Fig, £114, Target
A Patio Heater to Warm Cool Nights
Amazon
A commercial patio heater will make even the chilliest nights feel warmer. Just be sure that if you have a patio or balcony, your building is zoned to allow these types of gas heaters.
Amazon Basics Commercial Patio Heater, £134, Amazon
Faux Candles For Extra Mood Lighting
Terrain
Don’t forget that you’ll get a lot of bang for your buck with LED lanterns that look like candles. They don’t make a mess, last for seasons and look just as good scatted and clustered on your outdoor dining table.
Flame Effect Pillar Candle, £38, Terrain
By Taylor Davies