Summer is a distant memory by this point as we're nestled in autumn's crisp embrace and winter winds begin to tickle on the nose. Sweater weather is the unspoken smoking season, a time where all pipe and cigar smokers flock outside to huddle around patio heaters and enjoy the nighttime air without fear of melting in the heat. However, setting up the ideal space can be a fairly intimidating process. Thankfully we're here to lend a hand with preparing your ideal cold weather smoking space outdoors.

Find Your Perfect Spot

The first step to cultivating your ideal space outdoors is to find the best spot to set up. The ideal space will be somewhere that is sheltered a bit from the direct breezes of autumn. There's nothing worse than packing a bowl and having to fight against the wind to get your pipe ready for a smoke. A location that is far enough away from your home's windows or doorways is also a good call, especially if you live with any non-smoking family members or friends.

The most obvious choice is the patio or other backyard space that can accommodate you. If your partner is generous, they may allow you to co-opt the sunroom and if you prefer to watch the streets, the front porch is a nice spot to set up camp. Regardless of where you end up, a space that has a view of the changing foliage is a bonus to fully enjoy the changing seasons, from the heat of summer to the crispness of autumn.

If you're the DIY type and really crave a more covered environment, you can take a note from my old college bar and do what they called the human greenhouse. A jury-rigged space of lumber, PVC pipes, plastic tarping, and patio heaters that kept the cold out and the heat in. It is far from an elegant solution but it did accomplish its goal and many a drunken smoker huddled in it during those long winter months.

Decorating Your Space

After you've selected the ideal spot for your outdoor smokes, the next step is to add all that you'll need to comfortably enjoy your pipe or cigar. Think seating, tables, and organization to store needed accessories in style.

Perhaps a patio set with Adirondack chairs or a hammock is up your alley. Weather-resistant furniture is key for outside spaces given natural factors such as wind and rain. Whatever will help you relax, unwind, and properly enjoy your tobacco is the goal. Other additions can include things like a fire pit or patio heater(s) to keep warm as the nights grow cold. Patio lighting is essential regardless and comes in a variety of styles. Patio string lights are common and add a nice aesthetic while some also come with different features like the ability to change the color via RGB and being dimmable.

Once you've got the essentials, you can accessorize the area with decor, such as greenery, pine cones, potpourri, and any items that make the space come together. Adding a stylish blanket onto a bench or hammock makes the space all the more cozy, and will be perfect for chilly autumn evenings. When it comes to textiles, neutral colors and fall-inspired hues, like browns, reds, purples, and oranges can be your launchpad for decorating your outdoor setting just in time for autumn.

If you can imagine, the outdoors isn't a great place to store your goodies. However, there are some additions that can make your life easier. A quality ceramic ashtray is a good addition, whether you're a cigar smoker or pipe smoker, as well as a combination ceramic ashtray and pipe rest.

If you're into cigars, a travel humidor could be a life-saver to keep them fresh and protected from the elements. Additionally, a pocket jar for pipe tobacco to enjoy while in your space will be a helpful way to have more of your favorite blends without having to go back and forth. Both of these have the added bonus of being great additions to your EDC outside of the patio.

Another option for transfer of supplies back and forth from inside to outside is a dedicated tote bag with a pipe cleaner holder. Claudio Albieri has a range of accessories, such as pouches to assist in making your outdoor space all the more functional. Erik Stokkebye 4th Generation's Pipe Cleaner Sleeve is great if your tote doesn't have one built in. Also, a handy combo item combines a tobacco pouch, 2-pipe case, and a cleaner sleeve all in one to keep what you're carrying to and fro to a minimum.

Other great additions are side tables to hold whatever book you're reading, coffee, and other beverages, you could add a tamper station using a slice of a log as a base, with holes drilled to secure various tampers in an easily accessible way. Bringing a Cornell & Diehl Tasting Journal with your favorite stationary, and so forth. Foldable pipe rests are cost effective and easy to carry and set up, such as this one. Don't overlook bug spray for your appendages (trust us, even as the weather cools, little nuisances might land on you and become an unwelcome visitor in your space).

Autumn Tobacco Picks

Once you have added all the pizzazz you desire to your outdoor oasis, it is time to gather your favorite pipe tobacco and cigars. When it comes to smoking outside, there are some considerations to make.

Due to the elements of the outdoors, such as windy days, it is important to select tobacco that has a strong enough punch so that you can enjoy your treats without missing out on any of the nuances in flavor or body.

Think Aromatics, English, and Burley-based blends. To match with the season, consider stocking up on fall favorites like Cornell & Diehl's Autumn Evening and Haunted Bookshop Cake blends. Check out Gawith Hoggarth & Co.'s Bob's Chocolate Flake packing plenty of sweetness next to the roaring fire. For pumpkin spice fanatics, Sutliff's Pumpkin Spice hits the spot.

For more inspiration for your fall smokes, take a look at our picks here.

As for cigar pairings, the same general suggestion holds true — the stronger, the better. Go for Maduros and spicy Nicaraguans, such as Davidoff's Primeros Nicaragua Maduro and Caldwell's Long Live the King by AJ Fernandez Lonsdale. Liga Privada H99 Corona Doble is another great autumn smoke for a complex, nuanced experience to remember. Try out this fall smoke from Warped, El Oso Primo, exclusively at Smokingpipes.

Now, you've got your space decked out just the way you like it, you've got your favorite pipe or cigar, the fire is roaring, and you're settled in for a cool evening under the stars. Don't forget to make yourself a drink whether that be a nightcap of coffee or tea, a glass of your favorite whiskey, or your favorite soda. You even go as far to roast a marshmallow or two while you're out there.

There you have it, your guide to creating the perfect autumn/winter smoking oasis. So grab your pipes, light up those cigars, and enjoy the season in style. Happy smokes!