Don’t give up on the outdoors just because of the cold weather! Make the most of your outdoor living space by creating a warm and inviting space you can enjoy even on the coldest days.
- To incorporate warmth into your outdoor setting, light it up. Choose café style string lights to drape around the perimeter of your seating area. For these cold winter months, choose incandescent lights versus LED lights. Yes, LED lights consume less energy and are highly efficient, but that means less energy is transformed into heat. You can expect incandescent bulbs to throw off a bit of heat to not just light up, but warm up your area. In addition to string lights, place lanterns of various sizes on the ground of your patio or porch to create an up-light effect that will provide you and your guests with a feeling of warmth to chase off the chill.
- Cover the ground beneath you with an outdoor rug. They’re made to withstand the elements and can be left outside all year long. But remember to choose a rug that won’t freeze up when the temperature drops. Take care to make sure your rug is made from a blend of natural and synthetic fibers like olefin and nylon to help reduce any mold or mildew. Adding curtains or hardscape panels to your patio can help keep warm air in and maximize the heat in your space.
- When it comes to outdoor furniture, invest in sets made from weather-hardy materials. Consider wood or wicker instead of metal or aluminum which, while it can stand up to the harsh elements, feels cold to the touch during the wintry months.
- Add lots of outdoor-friendly throw pillows to your chairs, swings, and lounges. For the colder months, look for foam filled pillows for a softer touch; they’ll also dry quicker when left outside.
- Drape outdoor blankets over furniture, ready for use. Blankets designed to withstand Jack Frost’s chill must be able to maintain warmth and keep out moisture, while providing a cozy layer of protection from the winter elements. Merino wool makes a great choice for outdoor durability and warmth. Wool has moisture wicking properties that hold water away from your skin more so than any other fabric. Merino is also naturally flame resistant which makes it a perfect choice for sitting around your firepit.
- Speaking of which, if you don’t have a fire pit, there’s no time like the present! Fire provides both warmth and light and adds another dimension of space and life to your outdoor area.
- Think about ways to bring nature into your space with potted evergreens. Boxwood hedges makes a perfect topiary for patios, and winter Gem boxwoods thrive no matter the weather. Hang a suet feeder from a tree and watch for feathered friends to gather.
- Choose weatherproof resin bins to store warm weather gear like hats, mittens, and gloves. You can also use it to store patio games like Jenga, cornhole, and garden chess so when friends visit, you’ll have warmth and entertainment ready to warm up their mind and body.
- Leave your barbeque out and make grilling a year-round tradition. With a little preparation and an extra layer of clothing you can make it a no sweat event.
- Incorporate a bar into your outdoor setting and serve beverages on hand or use the bar area for storing and serving snacks. It is here you can keep all the trimmings needed for roasting smores…yum.
