Backyard Blogging.

The leaves crunch underfoot, the air smells like fall, and someone just asked if you want another mug of cider. You say yes because you’ve finally found the sweet spot between sweatshirt weather and “we better go inside.”

With a fire pit and a patio set you can sink into, you have every reason to stay out a little longer.

Fall evenings in Wichita go by fast. Here’s how to set up your patio so you can make the most of them, whether you’re having the neighbors over after a Friday night game or catching up with a friend on a Sunday evening.

Give Everyone a Good Seat

Think about who usually ends up on your patio. If it’s two or three people catching up, try a pair of cushioned lounge chairs with a small side table between them. If your get-togethers tend to grow as the evening goes on, a sofa and a couple of swivel chairs give people more ways to join the conversation.

Swivel chairs are especially handy when someone’s talking on one side, and the snack table is on the other.

Shopping for a new patio set? Measure the space first, including the path from your back door. Then picture someone carrying a tray of drinks through it while everyone’s seated. That quick walk-through can help you decide whether you have room for a sofa or would get more use out of a few chairs you can rearrange.

Find a Fire Pit That Fits Your Patio

For a smaller seating area, consider the O.W. Lee Elba Aluminum 30-inch Round Fire Pit. Its round shape works well with chairs angled toward one another. Try three lounge chairs around it and leave an opening on the side where guests come out from the house.

That gives the group an easy way in and gives you a place to pull up another chair when someone drops by.

If you have a longer patio or plan to anchor your seating area with a sofa, consider the O.W. Lee Santorini Steel 36-by-58-inch Fire Pit. Run the long side of the fire pit parallel to the sofa, then angle a chair in at either end. This gives people across the seating area a view of the flame and creates a comfortable place to talk.

Measure your full layout with the furniture in place, and follow the manufacturer’s clearance requirements when choosing where to put the fire pit.

Let Fall Do the Decorating

Put a basket of blankets by the back door so guests can grab one on their way out. Set a pitcher of cider and a plate of appetizers or cookies on a side table away from the fire. Add a little light along the path back to the house so everyone can see where they’re going after sunset.

Then give yourself permission to keep the evening simple. Bring out a deck of cards, pour something warm, or let the conversation go wherever it goes. If you find yourself outside the next night with a blanket and the last cookie, you’ve set up your patio right.

Come Find Your Fall Patio Setup

Ready to spend a few more evenings outside this fall?

Visit Ultra Modern Pool & Patio showrooms in east and west Wichita or Derby. Bring a photo of your patio and a few measurements, and we’ll help you explore seating and find a fire pit that fits the way you like to spend time outside.

You can also browse our fire pits and shop patio furniture before you stop by.