From Spring to Summer and early Fall, we typically get ample usage of our outdoor spaces. As the weather gets colder, we lament the end of the outdoor season and retreat indoors, dreaming about the improvements we'll make the following year. With proper planning however, outdoor spaces can be updated to prolong use, giving you less of a reason to seek the comfort of inside and more of a reason to take advantage of the splendor outside.
Further embrace sweater weather and cool nights by enjoying time with friends and family outdoors. Barbeques can be fired up year-round, so keep those patio dining sets out as long as possible and start making adjustments to enable gatherings and keep your guests cozy and comfortable.
Repositionable Heaters for Outdoors
Some consider firepits to be the best outdoor heaters due to the warmth and natural light that they emit. Firepits evoke a special kind of coziness and foster the well-loved activity of toasting marshmallows. They can be portable, which supports repositioning if needed and are relatively inexpensive. Firepits can range from wood burning to gasoline fire tables, simple to elaborate and eye-catching.
If firepits are not your thing, you can also purchase freestanding outdoor heaters that run on propane. Backyard or patio heaters, can be positioned next to tables or seating areas, wherever you need them to be.
Outdoor Fireplaces
Requiring more investment and time to plan are outdoor fireplaces. They provide the same benefits as firepits, but require a dedicated space and construction. With the addition of a fireplace, homeowners can create outdoor living rooms with the fireplace as the focal point. Generally, these areas are covered, which allows for the addition of a television and outdoor furniture, similar to what would be used within indoor living rooms. Just like with firepits, purchasing a freestanding model is possible, or you can build your own.
Backyard Enclosures
Adding heating sources does help to extend the use of your space, but the best way to create a more "all-seasons" area is to use enclosures. If you have a pergola, adding curtains will help to limit exposure to the cold air. Thinking about that indoor/outdoor space that you have been pining for? A Liferoom, which is essentially an extension of indoor space, but outdoors, is for more than just the summer. Wall mounted heaters can warm up the room and automated screens will create "walls" that will limit the flow of the crisp air and breezes.
Outdoor Lighting
With the colder months, comes less sunlight in the evenings. Adding lighting elements throughout your yard, serves multiple purposes such as alleviating the dark surroundings and improving the aesthetic. There are so many outdoor lighting choices to choose from including:
- String Lights – bulbs strung together and hung around the perimeter of an area. Soft lighting creates a café-like atmosphere.
- Flood Lights – usually installed on the house itself, provide the brightest lights, triggered by a motion sensor.
- Post Lights/Lamp Posts – can be considered décor; typically placed in gardens or along walkways.
- Solar Posts – affixed to the ground using stakes, these are mostly positioned along walkways, landscaping, and gardens.
- Lanterns – LED lit individual units that can be set on tables, porches, patios, or steps to create a charming, soothing ambiance.
Durable Outdoor Furniture
Comfort is key. Couches or chairs with cushions are going to deliver the most insulation and comfort. Storage ottomans can provide you with extra seating and a place to store throw blankets. Any outdoor furniture that you purchase should be able to stand up to the elements year after year. Wrought or cast iron is heavy enough to withstand wind and other harsh weather conditions. Any cushions or pillows should be all-weather to prevent damage.
We hope that each of these ideas provides you with inspiration to create the fall and winter relaxation and outdoor entertainment space of your dreams. Just remember to follow fire safety measures when determining where to place or construct any of the heating elements. For more ideas to improve your property or to obtain additional information about our products that can make your outdoor areas livable year-round, please contact us at 888-270-3546.