Here in New England, summer always seems to pass too quickly. Once Labor Day arrives, evenings start to grow cooler, mornings turn crisper, and the first signs of fall begin to appear. Yet the change of seasons doesn’t always mean outdoor living must come to an end. With thoughtful design, spaces are created that extend well into the fall months, carry us through an early spring thaw, and even provide comfort during those rare, mild winter days when you want to step outside to enjoy what winter has to offer.
Covered Patios
A covered patio is one of the most versatile outdoor features you can add to your home. During summer, it offers welcome shade; into the fall, it provides shelter from gentle rain and chilly breezes. With the addition of a fireplace, ceiling heaters, or overhead fans, a covered patio easily transforms into a cozy retreat on crisp spring evenings as we begin look forward to longer days and warmer temperatures. When designed with care, the roofline, materials, and architectural details allow the patio to blend seamlessly with the rest of the home, ensuring a natural extension of your living space year-round.
Screened Porches
Screened porches are woven into the fabric of New England living. They make it possible to enjoy fresh air without the unwelcome nuisance of pesky insects. Whether it’s a warm July night or a breezy October afternoon, by incorporating comfortable furnishings, a screened porch becomes much more than a seasonal amenity. Instead, it can become an all-weather retreat, allowing you to enjoy the outdoors deep into fall and once again as spring begins to emerge. This is often a favorite space among homeowners.
Heated Outdoor Spaces
There’s something timeless about gathering around a fire on a cool evening, and heated patios bring that experience to your backyard in every season. Radiant heat, built-in fireplaces, or even simple gas fire tables can make an outdoor patio usable long after the summer months faded into fall. These features not only provide warmth but also serve as natural focal points, drawing people together and creating beautiful outdoor spaces for entertaining family and friends throughout the year.
Bringing the Outdoors In
One of the most effective ways to embrace outdoor living in New England is to design spaces that transition easily between indoors and out. Large sliding doors, folding glass walls (like this Nano wall pictured above), or strategically aligned windows can open your living areas to the landscape beyond. Whether you’re admiring the colors of autumn or the first green buds of spring, these features keep the outdoors visually and physically connected to your home.
Living in New England means celebrating the change of seasons. From the bright, warm days of summer to the crisp evenings of fall or the cool mornings of spring, each season brings its own beautiful gifts. When outdoor spaces are designed with versatility and comfort in mind, they become part of everyday living all year long