Last Updated: September 2026
The right patio seating for an East Northport home is seating that fits how you use the space and keeps you comfortable past Labor Day. Built-in benches in stone or wall units, a covered sitting area, storage benches and hanging chairs all work on small and large patios alike. Pair them with a cover and a source of heat and you can keep using the patio well into late fall.
Should you cover your patio seating area?
A cover does more than people expect. It shields you from the summer sun and makes the seating area feel cozier and more private. It helps in fall too: a roof overhead holds in some radiant heat, and if you add side walls, screens or plantings to block the wind, a covered patio stays comfortable longer on chilly evenings.
You can go with a full roof that ties into the house or a lighter pergola. A sleek wooden bench under a pergola, with light fabric stretched or draped across the top, gives you a relaxed, island-style feel. Patterned shade cloth paired with outdoor rugs and gem-tone pillows pushes it toward bohemian, and it looks especially good with accents of gold and deep red or blue.
What kind of permanent seating works on a patio?
Built-in seating saves space and never needs to be dragged back into place. A few directions that work well:
- Rustic stone benches. Picture a stone bench under a stand of evergreens, beside a water feature or a low fire pit. Large, irregular stones set in a loose pattern keep the look rustic, and colorful pillows make it comfortable enough for reading or a long conversation.
- L-shaped wood benches. A corner of the patio is a natural spot for a sleek L-shaped bench. Planting around the back and sides frames the wood and makes the corner feel tucked away.
- Concrete wall units. These come in a huge range of shapes and colors, and they can be built into benches and seat walls that match the rest of your hardscape.
One detail we pay close attention to is depth. Plenty of built-in benches are too narrow to sit on comfortably for long, so we size permanent seating to be actually comfortable, not just good-looking.
Can patio seating double as storage?
Yes, and on a smaller patio it’s worth it. Hollow benches hold outdoor toys and accent pillows, plus the candles you only bring out for special occasions. A good-looking storage cabinet or bench is also the right home for blankets and throws. Keep a stack within reach and friends and family will happily curl up in a chair on a cool night, without the patio looking cluttered.
Are hanging chairs a good patio option?
They’re a fun one. Hammocks and swing seats can hang from a tree or an overhead beam, and so can cocoon chairs, and if you don’t have a big tree, many come with their own sturdy stand. They’re made in wood, metal, plastic and fabric, and they lean casual and a little bohemian, especially with patterned cushions. Clear bubble chairs go the other way, with a modern look that suits a contemporary hardscape.
How do you keep a patio warm in late fall?
East Northport and nearby Hauppauge homeowners usually aren’t ready to give up the patio when the air turns cold. Heat is the answer, and you have a few ways to add it. One rule applies to all of them: keep open-flame fire pits and fireplaces out from under roofs, pergolas and fabric, and follow any heater’s overhead and side clearances.
Fire pit
A fire pit fits almost any size patio and brings warmth and ambient light. Built from natural stone or paving stones, it can be designed to match your home’s architecture. It can be recessed into the patio or raised, and a raised fire pit with a wide cap doubles as extra seating.
Outdoor fireplace
A fireplace pulls people toward it. Built of brick or stone, it adds visual weight and makes the patio feel like a real outdoor room. It also handles wind better than an open pit. Gas-fed fire features can usually be lit with a switch or remote, so you can have a fire without building one.
Patio heater
If a fire feature isn’t in the plans, a patio heater is a solid alternative. Set it up to the manufacturer’s safety guidance and it can throw a good amount of heat across a broad area. Most can be adjusted for comfort, and a freestanding unit can be moved to wherever it does the most good.
If you’re adding heat, it’s also a good time to refresh or expand the stone patio so it ties into the fire pit or fireplace. We handle that as part of our landscape design for East Northport homes and throughout Suffolk County.
FAQ
How deep should a built-in patio bench be?
Deep enough that you can sit back, not perch on the edge. Many built-in benches are built too narrow, which looks fine but gets uncomfortable fast. The right depth depends on whether you’ll add cushions and how the bench is used, so it’s worth sitting on a mockup or a similar bench before the design is finalized.
Does a pergola make a patio warmer?
Only a little. A solid roof holds in some radiant heat, and an open pergola does less. Wind protection comes from side walls, screens or plantings, not the roof. Pair a covered area with a patio heater set up to its required clearances, and keep open flames out from under the cover, and you’ll stay comfortable noticeably longer into fall.
Fire pit or fireplace: which keeps a patio warmer?
A fireplace usually does a better job of directing heat toward seating and is less affected by wind. A fire pit spreads warmth in every direction and lets people sit all the way around it. Many homeowners choose based on how many people they entertain and whether they want a tall focal point or an open, casual circle.
Want to plan seating and heat around a new or existing patio? Start with our paver patio work on Long Island.
Want to see it in person? Check out Casual Elegance, our project in Melville, NY.
