5 Backyard Upgrades Before Sweater Weather Hits

It’s hard to imagine crispy fall weather when you’re right in the thick of summer. The afternoons are sticky, the grill is working overtime, and the kids are still living in swimsuits.

But cooler evenings will be here before we know it, and a little preparation now means your backyard is ready the moment hoodie season arrives.

Below are five projects North-Indy families told me they loved, and most are easy wins you can knock out before August ends.

1. Hang warm white string lights 

The easiest way to add instant ambiance to your backyard is with string lights. Plug-and-play string lights are readily available from retailers like Costco, and they are designed to stay up year-round and withstand Indiana weather.

• Free-hang a strand over your dining table and add a few lanterns for extra glow.

• Weave lights through a pergola to make late dinners feel special.

• Wrap the cord around tree trunks or drape it from high branches back to the house for a woodland effect.

• Run a line across your privacy fence to outline the space.

This upgrade tops our list with its low cost, installed in an afternoon, and makes every evening feel like a celebration.

2. Refresh the patio 🪨

A clean, solid patio sets the stage for every fall hangout. Start by sweeping off grit, giving the surface a quick rinse, and using a power washer for bigger buildup so leaf stains and winter salt don’t stick around.

If you’re dreaming of new concrete, reach out to a trusted contractor before the calendar fills up once school routines kick in. A simple broom finish is gentle on bare feet and blends with nearly any backyard style.

3. Add a fire pit 🔥

A fire pit brings friends and family together in one spot, turns cool nights cozy, and provides every get-together with a natural focal point. Wood-burning sets the mood with crackle and scent; gas starts with a quick click and keeps hands clean. Consider which style fits your routine, then select one that complements the rest of your patio. 

Heads-up: give the pit plenty of breathing room from walls, trees, and overhangs, and keep a lid or screen handy to calm lively embers once the breeze picks up.

4. Drop in path lights 🌜

A gentle glow along the path keeps ankles steady after dark and turns garden beds into night-time highlights. Solar stakes pop into the soil in minutes, perfect when you want quick light with zero wiring, though they can fade on long cloudy stretches. Low-voltage kits need one buried cable and a small transformer at the outlet, yet loyal fans say the brighter, steadier beam is worth the extra setup. Whatever style you pick, angle the light toward steps or seating so it welcomes guests without shining straight into a neighbor’s window.

5. Trendy: Set up a video backyard birdfeeder 🕊️

Imagine sipping morning coffee while a live clip of a bright red cardinal pops up on your phone. Video feeders make that happen and have become a favorite trend for several Carmel families this year.

• Why people love them – Real-time clips turn bird-watching into a quick hit of calm, and kids enjoy guessing the species before the app does.

• Recommendations – Most video bird feeders will have similar features. WiFi connection, video recording, real-time alerts, solar panel charging, AI identification, etc. Our pro tip is to pick your feeder based on reviews. We found in testing that the Osoeri feeder, which is ¼ the cost of the Birdify feeder, is just as good and sometimes better. So, if looks don’t matter, we recommend it!

  • Affordable feeder recommendation: Osoeri Bird Feeder with 1080p camera and AI identification.

  • Higher end: If looks matter, the Birdify Smart Feeder is an excellent choice with a wooden frame.

• How it works – Fill the seed tray, connect to Wi-Fi, and let the built-in camera push short videos to your phone. Some feeders even come with AI, which will tag the birds you’ve seen so you can track your progress.

• No tech? No problem – A classic tube feeder paired with a phone bird ID app gives you the same “what bird is that?” thrill. Snap a photo or record a song, and most apps will handle the rest.

Set it up once, top off the seed every week or two, and you have a front-row seat to local wildlife long after patio season winds down.

And if you’re lucky, you might even get some special visitors! Don’t be surprised if you see squirrels, chipmunks, field mice, and even raccoons showing up to snack. They like the same food as birds, too!

The Wrap

That’s a wrap! We worked on this together with our friends from Silvers Concrete and Paving. We highly recommend checking them out if you need help with installing your concrete patio. They even offer pergolas and integrated fire pits to match any desired look. Book a patio project by August 31 and mention KUIC for $250 off your fall patio.