Fall Fun With New Home’s Outdoor Features

When Starbucks swaps out iced coffee for Pumpkin Spiced Lattes, it’s a great time to start thinking about how you can make the most of fall in your new home’s outdoor spaces.

New construction homes have fantastic outdoor features that let you and your loved ones enjoy the cooling temperatures and lovely foliage from decks and in front of fire pits. Almost all planting zones can get one last hurrah of garden growth before winter sets in, and fall garden maintenance can ensure stunning spring blooms. Fall maintenance plays a crucial role in protecting your home from winter weather, and can be a fun fall activity in itself!

NewHomeSource has all the information you need to include great outdoor features in your new home, so that you can make the most of the wonderful weather that comes with fall.

Cozy Decks and Patios

Decks and patios give homeowners a great way to enjoy cooler temperatures in their new home.

As You Build

Having your homebuilder take care of your deck or patio while they’re building your home ensures you get they keys to your dream home, and not a house with a long list of tasks that need doing. You can do fun fall activities on your ready-built outdoor space, instead of starting a massive, expensive, and time-consuming project while you’re still trying to settle into your new home.

Many homebuilders include covered porches as part of their standard home plans, so if all you want is a spot for a comfy chair and a fall gourd, you don’t need to do any extra planning. If you want a larger outdoor seating area, you may want to work with your builder to include a covered patio or deck, so you can still enjoy your outdoor spaces during fall drizzles. Speaking of which, you can also talk to your builder about slip-resistant or weather-resistant decking materials, such as stone pavers or composite decking, to keep you safe and your porch/patio/deck in tip-top shape.

While you’re at it, you can talk with your builder about building in some storage space to keep your cushions and other accessories out of the elements once fall officially gives way to freezes.

Enjoying Your Porch or Patio

Your first fall task as a homeowner with a deck, patio, or porch in is to rent a U-Haul or trailer, head over to the nearest pumpkin patch, buy all the gourds, and cover every square inch of your outdoor surfaces in pumpkins.

If less than 70% of your porch is gourd-less, NewHomeSource will call your HOA.

Just kidding. NewHomeSource won’t tattle on you, But we do think your porch would look super cute and inviting covered in pumpkins, chrysanthemums, gourds, sunflowers, and daises.

Sprucing up your outdoor spaces for a more fall vibe is definitely the first step in transitioning to the coziest season of the year. After all, nothing says sweater weather quite like sitting out on your deck wrapped up in chunky knit garments, warm beverage in hand. (And if you’re from the Midwest or north, please don’t laugh at the southerners who started layering sweaters once the thermometer dropped below 80 degrees.)

Fantastic Fire Pits

Fire pits take your backyard experience to the next level in the fall.

As You Build

Installing a fire pit when you build your new home gives you a great way to use your backyard when temperatures cool. Talk with your builder about building a fire pit area with the pit, seating space, and even built-in lighting or extra heaters.

For a more refined look, or if you love the idea of having fall themed parties in an outdoor living room, you can work with your builder to include an outdoor fireplace. Your homebuilder can integrate an outdoor fireplace with a beautiful deck or patio.

As you design your fiery outdoor spaces, think about how you want to use them. If you want to have a designated outdoor gathering space, including built-in seating creates a bespoke look, and could save you money on outdoor furniture.

Having your builder install a fire pit our outdoor fireplace when they build your new home plays a major role in fireproofing your new home, ensuring you can have all the fall fun in your backyard, while maintaining peace of mind.

Enjoying Your Fall Fire Features

Fall fires give you a wonderful way to gather with your loved ones beyond just sitting around watching TV inside. Even if you are a strange, strange person who doesn’t like s’mores, there are tons of fire pit-centered events you can do this fall, ranging from chillin’ like a villain to roasting your favorite roastable food over an open flame – did someone say hot dogs? Which, incidentally, go great with football season, and if you go all-in with an outdoor living room, you can chow down on a chili dog while cheering on the big game.

Glorious Gardens

Just because the Northern Hemisphere is getting ready for winter, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy beautiful blooms for a few more months. A number of fall florals still flourish as summer comes to an end, giving you a lovely garden to enjoy from your (pumpkin covered) patio.

As You Build

New construction homes come with great landscaping packages that allow homeowners to enjoy their outdoor spaces year round. Easy-to-maintain lawns can transition from full summer emerald to dormant, without a ton of work. Built-in sprinkler systems let you enjoy your yard without spending hours watering. Beautiful garden beds give you the perfect space to customize all year round.

Talk with your builder about how to build in lighting so you can enjoy your fall garden even when the days get shorter, which will not only be a great view, but will keep you and your family safe as you spend time around the fire pit or on the deck.

Life with Your Garden

Once your garden is established, here are some beautiful flowers you can plant to make the most of your fall backyard:

• Naturalizing annuals – flowers that only live for one year but self-seed at the end of the growing season – can help you enjoy one last hurrah of color. Cosmos, mums, sunflowers, zinnias, and pansies all love the cooler weather, and buying a pack of seeds gives you major bang for your buck in the backyard.
• Perennials – flowers that keep coming back year after year – such as dahlias and roses are fall favorites that will spark joy this fall and for many falls to come.

You can also incorporate some seasonal landscaping – low-maintenance, hardy plants such as mums, ornamental grasses, or evergreens are great for keeping your yard looking great even in cooler months. Maples and oaks provide great fall foliage.

Both Team Pumpkin Porch and Team Fire Pit can agree that a beautiful fall garden adds the perfect finishing touch to your outdoor spaces, and takes your favorite autumnal activities to the next level. Who needs pricey pumpkin patches when you can make your own yard look like a scene straight out of Gilmore Girls?

Hot Tubs and Outdoor Spas

Nothing beats soaking in a hot tub under the stars when the weather starts to get crisp. Something about knowing that it’s too cold to actually go swimming takes relaxing in a pool of hot water to the next level.

As You Build

Installing your hot tub when you build your new home has a number of benefits no matter what season you move in.

1. You’ll save money by integrating the hot tub seamlessly with the home’s plumbing and yard.
2. You won’t have to tear up your yard or plumbing at a later date to install your dream hot tub.
3. You limit the risks of leaks and water damage from a botched hot tub installation by a third party contractor.
4. Bonus: If your hot tub is ready to go upon move-in, and not trapped on a wish list, you can soak sore muscles away after a long day of unpacking.

Work with your builder to install a hot tub or spa in the best location in your yard, whether that be right off the porch, next to the pool, or in a secluded area with more privacy.

Enjoying your Hot Tub or Spa

Your hot tub will come in handy during any season, but the perfect fall mood is one that combines cool weather with warm activities, making hot tubs the ideal backyard feature for an iconic fall in your new home. Bonus points if you bring a fall-inspired beverage with you when you go for a soak in your hot tub.

If spring has sprung, has fall flung? Wherever you stand on this important question, you can make the most of pleasantly chill weather and changing leaves thanks to the amazing outdoor features in your new home. Let us know you you embrace your best autumnal self in the comments below.