Winter is coming, whether we like it or not. That's a common sentence you hear with only 1 in 10 Americans calling it their favorite season.
With fall soon upon us, it's time to start preparing for more outdoor living time, as temperatures drop. Let's talk about how to improve your outdoor living space for the colder months!
Briefly, let's discuss why it's so important to spend time outside during the colder months because not enough of us do it! Humans are simply not meant to spend their lives inside, which is too easy to do when it's cold out.
If you live in an area with colder winters, it's likely that you spend most of your time inside whenever possible. Well, if you choose to spend 4 to 6 months of the year trapped indoors, this can have a serious impact on your physical and mental health. Spending more time outside is linked to improved attention, better mood, lower stress, and many other benefits.
When we miss out on those for such a large portion of the year, it can affect us negatively in the long term. That's why it's so important to make spending time outside more appealing throughout as much of the year as possible. Let's talk about how!
First, let's discuss some of the most important aspects of an outdoor living space. Here's what you'll need!
Comfortable furniture is essential for outdoor living, and it's often overlooked for staying cozy during the colder months. Using one-season furniture is not ideal for the fall and winter months.
Having a toasty fire on your front side is great, but it won't do much if you're sitting on a mesh patio chair. Instead, opt for patio furniture that can insulate you from the cold weather. Something with thermal cushions will offer the best results.
When it comes to an outdoor living space heating source, there's one item that comes to mind. Fire pits are the best way to help extend your outdoor living time into the colder months.
Not only do they act as a great heating source, but also as a wonderful centerpiece for social interaction. Fire pits won't obstruct your view, they'll keep you warm, and they're easy to install. Also, there are so many styles and options to choose from!
Lighting is everything when it comes to setting the right atmosphere. If you plan to sit outside and relax with friends by a fire, you want it to be quite subtle. However, you may also want some stronger lights for playing outside with your dog or your children.
A hot tub or any type of swim spa is perfect for spending more time outside in the colder weather. There are safe chemicals you can use to keep the water from freezing, and it's a relaxing (and warm) way to spend more time outside in the cold weather.
Hot tubs don't have to be too expensive, either. Custom spas and hot tubs are a great way to add value to your home and enjoyment to your outdoor living space.
As a pro tip, just remember to invest in some thick robes and slippers! This way, you won't have to worry about the shock of getting out of a warm tub and into the cold air.
Now that you know some of the best components to add, let's talk about getting the most out of them. Here are some outdoor living tips to enjoy the colder months!
It's all about the design of your living space. It needs to be centered around a fire pit or other centerpiece, close enough to enjoy the warmth, and easy to maintain.
If there are too many walls or garden pots around, your patio can easily feel constrained. Try to keep all of the furniture close together but not confined to that area. This is the key to a cozy design, as you want to know you're outside with plenty of open space, but you still want to be close to everything.
Choosing the right fire pit for your outdoor living space can be challenging. It has to be functional and warm enough for the colder months, but it also has to work with your outdoor aesthetic. There are plenty of options to choose from.
If you don't want a fire pit or if you want to add an extra heating source, there are plenty of other options. Do you have a bar and grill in your backyard? You can easily keep it running year-round with a tabletop fire pit or another heating source.
Some bars can even blow hot air toward your legs and feet with vents down below! This is a great way to impress your guests and enjoy outdoor fun all year!
We would recommend getting multiple lighting fixtures for different occasions. Solar lights are great for lighting your walkways, which is important for safety at night. String lights, rope lights, and dim lanterns are great for subtle patio time.
Conversely, you may also want spotlights for safety. Just make sure you can turn them off when it's time to hang out outside, as these can really kill the mood. If there are any others you may want, choose whatever fits your needs!
The best thing you can do to spend more time outside this year is to bundle up. Getting outside is great for both your physical and mental health, and it's proven to help with seasonal depression, which affects more than 10 million Americans every year.
Having an outdoor heating source and enough layers is perfect. Layers are particularly important because you can easily shed them as you warm up. The more time you spend outside, the better!
If you live in an area with brutal winters, then you may want to consider an enclosed outdoor space like a gazebo or screen porch. During the summer months, you can use screens to keep the bugs out and glass during the winter to keep the heat in!
If you add a wood stove with proper ventilation, you can enjoy a warm space away from your home with 360-degree views of the outdoors. It will also add a lot of visual appeal to your garden or other outdoor living space!
If you only want to get outside periodically throughout the winter months, this is a great way to spend a little time outdoors every day. Cooking your dinner outside is an easy way to do this. With the right outdoor kitchen system, you can spend at least a half hour outside daily, with plenty of heat to keep you warm.
Now that you know how to improve your outdoor living time as the frost draws near, get started as soon as possible. There's no time like the present to prepare for the colder months, so turn your outdoor space into a dream come true!
Stay up to date with our latest outdoor living tips, and check out our landscape and hardscape services for help with your outdoor space!
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