Even with summer winding down, there’s still plenty of last-minute opportunities to get outside and enjoy the weather especially now that it’s cooling off outside - heck, we still have friends planning cookouts into October! Of course, if you’re still hanging out on the porch this time of year, your pool probably isn’t seeing the same usage it used to and maybe you’re content to just relax outside. If you’re looking to rearrange your outdoor spaces to help entertain company or just give you a place to hang out, we’ve got a few tips to help make the most of it:

Keep It Cozy

You don’t need to suffer through the same plastic lawn chairs that your grandparents used to haul out for barbecues every summer growing up. A lot of outdoor furniture today has cushions that will make a couch jealous, and are much more resilient to rainfall. Combine these with some outdoor rugs to create a homey environment in the backyard that will encourage relaxation.

Use Multifunctional Pieces

It’s good to remember to treat any outdoor space just like a room at home, particularly if you don’t have the biggest backyard in the world. Pieces like multifunctional living room furniture can fit in well around your backyard furniture to make your porch or patio just as comfortable and convenient as your den or living room inside.

Maximize Storage

Of course, using furniture outside means you’re going to want to avoid going back inside - and what better way to avoid that than by using flexible storage? Kitchen carts can hang onto barbecue supplies or serve as mobile serving tables for drinks and snacks, wire shelving can be a good and reliable outside storage solution for pool toys, pillows, and more, and if you have any little hidden cubbies or garage space you can use, those are perfect for things like firewood (in case you do bonfires!)

Location, Location, Location

Finally, it’s important to consider where all this stuff is going. If you don’t have a big backyard, try to look into other options like the space between your house and your neighbors, or anywhere that can be easily landscaped to open up space. With these ideas, you should be able to make the most of the last few warm weeks of the year before fall comes back around!