Nip in the Air? Time to Take The Party Outside. Really.

Other elements, such as draperies, screens and thick chair cushions made from weather-resistant fabrics, have improved dramatically in recent years.

"An outdoor all-weather fabric placed on the outskirts of an outdoor room creates a feeling of intimacy that says, 'Come sit down in this space and get cozy,' " Morris says. "Also, drapes will absorb some of the noise in your outdoor space. This I am sure all of your neighbors will appreciate."

Sturdier vinyl-resin woven materials are replacing traditional rattan and wicker for outdoor furniture, says Jerry Pugrant, who owns Pugrant Associates, a D.C. firm that caters to designers, architects and embassies.

Also, teak furniture, sold at Crate and Barrel, Restoration Hardware and other stores, requires little to no maintenance, doesn't freeze and weathers to a silvery gray when left untreated.

"We had iron [outdoor furniture] in two of our houses before this one," DeVol says. "It was too hot in summer and too cold in winter."

When designing your all-weather space, you want to think of its relation to the rest of the house, experts say.

"You normally want to mimic the style inside," says Groff, who notes that outdoor flat-screen TVs are becoming popular with sports buffs. They can run several thousand dollars and work best in covered areas, he says. Waterproof and glare-proof TVs, from brands such as SunBriteTV, can be ordered online or through a designer.

There are cheaper ways to perk up an outdoor area. "I'm a huge fan of candles," Morris says. She suggests using old soap molds as candle stands for a rustic look conveying warmth and creating an elegant mood.

Lighting is an essential element of cool-weather entertaining. Also, hosts want to ensure the safety of their guests and show off their space.

Solar-powered lights that stick into the ground on spikes are a good choice because you can move them around, designers say. They are available in sets online and at many retail and garden stores starting at about $50. But don't line the perimeter of your walkway with them. "That looks like an airport runway," Groff says. Lights in front of the plantings surrounding your gathering area and along the walkway aimed up at plants look best, he says, and provide enough light to see your path.

Making outdoor spaces attractive and functional all year long is increasing in popularity, particularly in the current economy, Pugrant says. "People are traveling less and spending more time at home. They want to expand [home] to the pool area," he says.

Of course, you don't have to wait until Christmas Eve to host an outdoor party. Buy candles, hay bales and colorful napkins to coordinate with your chiminea and the cushions on your chairs, and throw a dinner party, a Halloween party or even Thanksgiving dinner outdoors. Just don't forget the extra blankets to make guests comfortable when it's really cold out, DeVol says. Have a backup plan in case it rains or snows.

Even takeout food can seem special if you bring it outside for a spontaneous picnic, says Owen, of Maison et Jardin. "I have a set of stainless steel silverware in a carrier ready to go with napkins and a lighter stick," she says. "I just pick it up and go."