3 Landscape Design Ideas for Preparing Your Backyard for Fall in Downers Grove, IL

Fall is a favorite time of year for many residents of Downers Grove, IL, who enjoy the season’s colorful foliage, pumpkins, and crisp, cool weather. Before getting to the point of stocking up on apple cider, though, homeowners need to give thought to what they want for their backyard in the fall. These landscape design ideas will help you set up for the cool-down season.

Install a Firepit

Firepits are becoming more and more popular as a way to enjoy the backyard, especially during cooler weather. Adding this feature to your house can create a focal point to your landscape and a favorite gather-round spot that simultaneously provides a cool visual element and a warm physical resource.

To prepare for this fall addition, you’ll need to decide where you’d like to put your firepit. Most municipalities have guidelines for how far away from homes or structures firepits have to be. In Downers Grove, firepits have to be at least 15 feet away from any structure or dense brush. With the help of your landscaping design professional, you’ll also need to pick out which materials are best suited for your new firepit. Options include natural-looking materials like Brussels Dimensional Stone for a rustic look. Once your firepit is installed, you’ll be ready to enjoy a beautiful fall evening in front of a warm fire!

Plant Some Trees

It seems like everyone’s favorite part of fall is the beautiful multicolored foliage that abounds in nature. There’s no reason why you can’t enjoy the gorgeous fall colors at your own home!

Fall is a great time to plant some new trees on your property. Red maple is a go-to because of the deep crimson colors it shows off in fall. You can opt for a young red maple that’s only 6 or 7 feet, or go for an older one that’s 10 to 12 feet. Red maples can get up to 25 feet tall after a period of 10 years. If you don’t want something so large, Japanese maples are another good choice. Short in stature but packed with color, Japanese maples are smaller decorative trees that can be incorporated into mulched beds. Their red leaves are thinner than regular maple leaves but still hold a gorgeous color during the fall months.

Lastly, you can have an evergreen tree planted that will add a deep green backdrop for other fall foliage, and still hold its color when winter rolls around. As an added bonus, you can enjoy the sights of evergreens as they’re dusted with the first snow of the winter season.

Let There Be Light

Last but not least, adding lighting to your outdoor landscape is a fabulous way to prepare for fall. Once the fall months come around, the days seem shorter as we lose more light sooner in the day. This can limit the amount of time you have to enjoy the outdoor season. Adding lighting to your backyard can help you spend more time grilling or simply enjoying the weather before the snowy winter months keep you indoors. Consider adding lighting to walkways, atop retaining walls, or to patio areas and kitchens. Even smaller lighting fixtures can provide enough light to make your outdoor space more welcoming and practical for evening entertaining.