6 Ways to Continue Socializing Outdoors as Weather Cools Javascript must be enabled to use this site. Please enable Javascript in your browser and try again. × Search search POPULAR SEARCHES SUGGESTED LINKS Join AARP for just $9 per year when you sign up for a 5-year term. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. Leaving AARP.org Website You are now leaving AARP.org and going to a website that is not operated by AARP. A different privacy policy and terms of service will apply.

6 Ways to Extend the Season for Outdoor Socializing

Warm up your entertainment space as the weather cools

Courtesy of Paradise Restored Ever since the forced many to entertain outdoors, people have been re-evaluating — an d upgrading — exterior living spaces. They’ve found attractive and comfortable ways to use decks and patios even as the weather gets chilly. Whether you’re just seeking ways to stay warm outside while socializing safely or looking to create a show-stopping open-air gathering space, investing in your outdoor space makes sense right now. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. Here’s how you can extend your deck and patio season right through the winter.

1 Put a roof on it

“Here in the Northwest, our summer season ends in mid-October, but a lot of my clients want to be outside in all seasons,” says Micah Dennis, president of Paradise Restored Landscaping & Exterior Design in Happy Valley, Oregon. Covered structures, including screened-in porches or pavilions that are either attached to or detached from the home, are a great way to define an outdoor space and protect you from the elements, Dennis says. He noted that open lean-to patio covers — 10-to-14-foot sloped structures that provide a roofed area for year-round enjoyment — are the most affordable. “Lean-tos are really nice for small areas; we can do built-in benches or a bar along the posts to maximize space,” he says, estimating costs at $4,000 to $8,000. “It adds style to your outdoor space.” You can also hang up inexpensive, waterproof outdoor curtains so you can sit on your patio in comfort. These curtains can help keep heat in (especially if you add a small space heater) and protect you from rain and other elements. COURTESY OF PARADISE RESTORED Upgrade your outdoor space with these items:
• Cozy blankets • Patio heater • String lights • A hot chocolate bar • Padded furniture • Firepit • Curtains for screened-in porches or roofed structures • Heated furniture

2 Heat things up

Having an outdoor heat source will mean you can more comfortably entertain as the days grow colder, says Sharon McCormick, CEO of Sharon McCormick Design in Hartford, Connecticut. Homeowners planning to spend lots of time on the patio may want to splurge on an outdoor wood-burning or gas fireplace, which costs $3,000 and up, she says. and the chance to roast marshmallows year-round. You can also incorporate fun extras like a pizza oven. Entertainment $3 off popcorn and soft drink combos See more Entertainment offers > For condo or city dwellers whose homeowners associations or local municipalities don't permit wood-burning products, McCormick suggests coffee or side tables with hidden propane tanks that double as fire tables when the temperatures dip. These tables offer the warmth and ambiance of a fire when you'd like one, or you can leave the cover on for use as a dining table. Don't want to tend a fire? Install outdoor heating fixtures instead. You can pick up some inexpensive hanging heaters or opt for tower-style patio heaters designed for residential use that warm up a 10-foot area. But order now because these items are selling fast and are becoming scarce. Dennis has been installing heat sources mounted on the ceilings or beams in covered structures. “It forms a heat blanket or a wall of heat,” he explains. Courtesy Bromic Heating

3 Buy all-weather furniture

White plastic tables and chairs or metal furniture with no padding just won't cut it when winter blows in — you'll need sturdy, weatherproof seating to entertain outside in colder months. Consider upgrading to a plush sectional sofa and get pillows for your wooden Adirondack chairs. You can even splurge on heated furniture, says McCormick, but it doesn't come cheap — heated sofas cost about $8,000 — but you can stay warm outside by adding fluffy pillows, chunky knit or fleece throws or heated blankets, she suggests. Or, for a more wallet-friendly option, get a cozy hug from a $200 heated camp chair, which allows you to control the temperature. Incorporate warm hues into your color scheme, like deep reds, burnt oranges and yellows. Store your accessories in a waterproof bin or ottoman on your porch so they don't get wet.

4 Roll out some comfort underfoot

To add warmth and define a gathering area, lay a weatherproof rug over your concrete or flagstone patio, suggests McCormick. “There's a plethora of outdoor rugs available now in any size or by the roll so you can have it custom-made,” McCormick says. “Most have a flat weave, so people don't trip on them, but there are some fluffier ones. You can also put a pad underneath to add another layer of insulation from the concrete or stone." AARP NEWSLETTERS %{ newsLetterPromoText }% %{ description }% Subscribe More on home-family AARP NEWSLETTERS %{ newsLetterPromoText }% %{ description }% Subscribe AARP VALUE & MEMBER BENEFITS See more Health & Wellness offers > See more Flights & Vacation Packages offers > See more Finances offers > See more Health & Wellness offers > SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS