Our top tips for extending your Summer this Autumn

Brrr – is it our imagination or is there a slight chill in the air? If you’re like us and think your garden still has plenty to offer and you don’t like fading quietly into autumn, we have tips to extend your summer vibes, Let’s go.

Gather round a cosy fire pit

Nothing says end-of-summer gorgeousness like a glowing fire pit, crackling away in your garden. The right design can serve as a fantastic focal point in your autumn garden or outdoor space – and it’s the perfect place for family and friends to come together and toast marshmallows.

Our California Lounge set's are an elegant way to create a snuggly fire pit zone, especially if you fill a hamper with cosy blankets. Or even better, keep them inside the Mia storage table that comes as part of the set.

Keep your garden blooming

Autumn doesn't mean saying goodbye to your flowers – far from it. The end of summer is all about embracing a gorgeous autumnal colour palette by introducing late-blooming flowers like asters, chrysanthemums and dahlias to your garden. These cheerful plants will keep your garden feeling vibrant and lively – try popping them into our Taper Square Planters with some good quality compost.

Sunset illuminations

The thing about autumn are those shorter days. Nobody likes saying goodbye to daylight hours, but you can make the transition easier with some lovely outdoor illuminations. We recommend choosing soft, warm lights to keep the summer magic alive after sunset. Fairy lights draped around trees or across your patio, solar-powered lanterns, LED candles strategically placed around the garden, that sort of thing

Outdoor heating, solar-style

We’re not a fan of the standard outdoor heaters because they’re energy guzzlers and not very green. But did you know you can get solar-powered heaters? Adding a heat-source is an easy way to extend the summer season and there’s still plenty of sunshine on offer to power one.

Welcome wildlife into your garden

Birds don't migrate until later in the autumn and many insects will still be active until the first frost. It’s a great time to make your outdoor space wildlife-friendly because a garden that’s bursting with life will always feel summery. Install bird feeders and bird baths, or consider a bug hotel to provide shelter for insects. If you don’t have a garden shed, now’s the time – they’re the perfect place to stash your supply of birdseed and fat balls. Take a peek at our aptly named Darwin shed range to help get you started.

Autumnal outdoor eating

Who says barbecues are only for summertime? With a good quality grill that can withstand the odd breezy moment, you can eat outdoors well into the autumn. And if that’s not your thing, how about building a pizza oven? The warmth and delicious smells will make your garden a favourite spot for parties and gatherings.

Install a hot tub or sauna

If you've saved your pennies this year with a summer staycation or you’re just feeling luxurious, you could treat yourself to a hot tub or sauna. These are good for all year round, but there’s nothing like preserving the spirit of summer with a soak in a hot tub and a glass of sparkling wine in your hand, even as the leaves are getting ready to fall. Those leaves are your cue to get the garden ready for winter.

Finally, there’s only one thing left to do: get Halloween-ready

We can’t control the weather and in the end, it’ll get chilly whether we like or not. But that’s ok because colder weather means it’ll soon be Halloween. When that happens, it’s time to switch things up from a summer sanctuary to a magical, mysterious autumnal space.

Get ready for pumpkin patches, tricks, treats and family fun – wrap up warm and continue to enjoy your outdoor space. Don’t forget to show us your late summer garden sanctuaries and winter-ready gardens, using the tag #KeterSpaces