If you are like most homeowners, you’ve probably saved hundreds of pins to your Pinterest board since March when the coronavirus pandemic first hit, and are now looking to tackle those home improvement projects. With more spare time on our hands, this could be the perfect time to make our homes comfier and cozier, but what about outdoor areas such as patios, backyards, and porches?
You’d think that by the time all the leaves have fallen off the trees and our T-shirts have been replaced with fuzzy sweaters, you’d have to wave goodbye to your outdoor space and wait until spring to throw the next party or a family get-together. While the calendar has certainly marked the beginning of the winter season, there’s no reason for good times not to extend well into winter. In fact, all it takes is a couple of tweaks for you to design an outdoor space you can utilize even when the temperatures drop.
Here are some best suggestions
Turn up the heat
When the temperatures go down during the winter months, adding a fire feature to your outdoor area is a surefire way to keep things nice and toasty and extend the time you spend outside. Aside from being an excellent source of heat that will keep you and your guests warm during chilly winter days, a fire feature is also a great conversation area as it creates a warm and pleasant atmosphere.
Whether you go for a fire pit, fireplace, heat lamp, or an electric heater, a fire feature is certainly going to make your outdoor space more inviting, allowing you to enjoy your hot cocoa, coffee, or marshmallows with gusto during winter.
Warm up your color palette
Each season has its own color palette, and adding some warm colors to the mix can definitely make your outdoor space feel a lot cozier and comfier during winter months. Try adding colors that have a warming effect – red, orange, and earthy tones are great to harvest hues and will certainly make your patio, porch, or backyard a lot more welcoming.
Taking your outdoor area from summer to winter can be as simple as swapping a couple of items and accessories for those in seasonal hues. Be creative, updating everything from tableware to plants to textiles.
Cozy it up with homely decor pieces
Decorating with seasonal hues is a great way to set the mood and warm-up space visually, but your outdoor space could also benefit from adding a couple of indoor comforts. To do this, think of your outdoor space like your living room and consider the homely decor pieces you can use to take your outdoor living to the next level.
Sometimes, creating the perfect outdoor ambiance during the winter months will be as easy as rolling out comfy outdoor rugs to layer up the room and anchor the space. Pay attention to the rug size, shape, color palette, and placement, as this will largely impact the overall look. While you’re at it, add a couple of pillows with cozy covers. Layer up with blankets too – they’ll keep your place stylish and your guests warm.
Brighten things up with efficient lighting
Bringing on the heat is one of the ways to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere in your outdoor space – incorporating cozy lighting into its design is the next best thing. Since days are significantly shorter during winter, there is not much sunlight to keep us warm and illuminate our outdoor spaces.
This means you’ll have to rely on other sources of light, and while your fire feature may be helpful, it is best to go ahead and add more lighting. LEDs and solar lights are great options for illuminating everything from patio and porch to pathways and stairs. Introduce a couple of lighting options – go for string lights, lanterns, candles, and even Christmas tree lights to create a pleasant ambiance and bring warmth to your outdoor space.
Ensure year-round comfort with cozy furniture pieces
Now that you have set the stage with lighting, heat, colors, and decor, it is time to add the one final ingredient needed for ensuring year-round comfort in your outdoor space – furniture. Now, the type of furniture you select will depend on your outdoor area.
Pergolas and patios with roofs may not require weather-resistant furniture, so you can opt for furniture with thicker cushions without having to worry about it getting damaged. On the other hand, furniture that will be exposed to the elements will need to be made from weather-resistant materials. In that case, materials such as teak, powder-coated steel, and polyresin wicker are your safest bet as they’re long-lasting and able to withstand harsh weather. Comfortable and cozy furnishings will make those chilly winter nights during quarantine more bearable, especially if you include several seating options such as benches, sofas, and lounge chairs.
Wrapping up
Now that we are spending more time at home due to COVID-19 restrictions, making a few updates in our outdoor spaces can be a fun and exciting project that will keep us busy and productive in times of social distancing.
With a couple of tweaks such as the ones listed above, you can make the most of your outdoor space this winter and create a cozy and comfy environment you will be able to enjoy during the upcoming winter months.
