As summer draws to a close, it doesn’t mean our gardens, terraces and outdoor spaces have to be packed away until spring. In fact, one of the biggest trends in outdoor living is the move towards creating spaces that can be enjoyed for much more of the year.
With the right shelter, lighting, furniture and finishing touches, an outdoor area can become just as inviting in autumn as it is during the height of summer.
From covered entertaining areas to warmer colour palettes, here are some of the key trends we’re seeing for outdoor spaces this autumn.
1. Outdoor spaces are becoming year-round spaces
One of the biggest changes in the way we use our gardens is that outdoor living is no longer being treated as something reserved for a few warm months.
Homeowners, hospitality venues, schools and businesses are increasingly looking at ways to get more use from their outdoor areas throughout the year.
A well-positioned canopy, gazebo or pagoda can completely change how a space is used, providing shelter from light rain and creating a defined area for dining, socialising or relaxing.
Instead of abandoning the garden as soon as the weather becomes unpredictable, the focus is shifting towards making outdoor spaces more adaptable.
2. Covered outdoor entertaining
Outdoor dining remains popular well beyond summer, but autumn calls for a slightly different approach.
Creating a covered seating or dining area instantly makes a garden feel more usable and welcoming. Gazebos and pagodas can provide a focal point within a larger garden, while canopies work particularly well over patios, terraces and seating areas.
Add comfortable seating, outdoor cushions and a few throws and the result is an outdoor space that feels intentionally designed rather than simply seasonal.
For pubs, restaurants, hotels and other hospitality businesses, covered outdoor areas can also help maximise valuable seating space when the weather becomes less predictable.
3. Warmer, earthy colours
The bright colours of summer are giving way to a much richer autumn palette.
Think:
- warm terracotta
- rust and burnt orange
- olive and forest green
- deep brown
- burgundy
- natural stone and timber tones
These colours work particularly well against black, charcoal or neutral outdoor structures.
Rather than completely redesigning an outdoor area each season, changing smaller elements such as cushions, planters, tableware and throws can quickly give a space a more autumnal feel.
4. Lighting is becoming part of the design
As the evenings become darker, outdoor lighting becomes much more important.
Soft lighting around a canopy or gazebo can completely transform the atmosphere of an outdoor space.
Festoon lights, lanterns and subtle architectural lighting can help define different areas while also making them feel warmer and more inviting.
For commercial spaces, lighting can be particularly effective around covered seating areas, helping customers recognise that the outside space is still very much open and usable.
5. Creating defined outdoor ‘rooms’
Another major outdoor living trend is the idea of treating the garden as a series of separate rooms.
A structure such as a pagoda, gazebo or canopy naturally creates a defined zone within the garden.
For example, you might have:
- a covered dining area
- an outdoor lounge
- a barbecue or cooking space
- a quiet seating area
- a sheltered play or activity area
This approach makes larger outdoor areas feel more considered while helping smaller gardens work harder.
A physical structure provides a clear focal point and helps give each area its own purpose.
6. Natural materials and softer planting
Autumn outdoor spaces are increasingly taking inspiration from the surrounding landscape.
Timber, stone, woven textures and natural fabrics all work well alongside outdoor structures and help create a softer, more relaxed look.
Planting can also play a big role.
Ornamental grasses, evergreen plants and autumn-flowering varieties can add movement and colour around gazebos and covered seating areas while ensuring the garden still feels alive as summer planting begins to fade.
7. Flexible outdoor structures
Flexibility is becoming increasingly important when planning outdoor spaces.
Rather than creating areas that can only be used in one way, people are choosing structures that allow the space underneath to evolve.
A gazebo might be used for family dining during the summer, become a sheltered entertaining area during autumn and provide protection for furniture or equipment during the winter months.
The same principle applies to commercial environments, where adaptable covered areas can be used for everything from outdoor dining to events, displays and seasonal activities.
Extending the outdoor season
Autumn is actually one of the most atmospheric times of year to enjoy an outdoor space.
Crisp evenings, softer light and changing colours can create an entirely different feel from summer.
The key is simply making sure the space is designed around the British weather.
Adding shelter through a canopy, gazebo or pagoda can help turn a garden, patio or terrace into somewhere that can be enjoyed for far longer each year.
At Outside Structures, we supply a range of outdoor structures designed to help homeowners and businesses create practical, attractive and versatile outdoor spaces.
Whether you're looking to create a sheltered seating area, outdoor entertaining space or a striking focal point within a garden, the right structure can help you make much more of the space you already have.