It’s no secret – we’re in for a chilly winter and that means more days spent indoors and much darker evenings. However, if you give a little love to your outdoor areas before winter hits, you’ll be able to brighten up your home before the season hits and make the most of the sun when it’s around. Read on to find out more.
Plant New Flowers
It makes sense when you think about it – winter is a bad time to plant new plants and vegetables. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, there are a number of flowers that are ideal for cold weather and can give your garden the added boost it needs.
For vegetables, you can plant cauliflower, spinach, beetroots, cabbages and carrots. For flowers, happy wanderer, snowdrops and lily of the valley are all great options.
Build a Sheltered Area
Cut out the wind and maximise the efficiency of your outdoor heating with patio curtains and sheltered areas. If you’re going to be installing this on your own, the best choice will be a retractable canopy or a pergola to block the wind and rain but still let in that much-needed sun.
Boost Your Lighting
There’s nothing that’s going to make a cold day feel even worse than a dark home. In the winter, the days are going to get darker much quicker. One way you can help to combat this is by employing external lighting.
With warm LEDs, you’ll create a glow of light that’s both kind on the environment and cost-effective. These can be tricky, however, so it’s worth consulting with a trained electrician before getting started.
Add a Little Warmth to Your Deck
Winters don’t have to be dreary. In fact, by adding a little warmth to your decking, you can make them downright cosy. You can buy patio heaters from most hardware stores and they’ll work hard to make your outdoor areas comfortable even on the coldest of days.
By focusing your patio heater on one particular area, such as seating or an outdoor dining table, you’ll be able to both stay warm and get that much-needed dose of Vitamin D.
Focus on Creating Cosy Deco
Colourful summer decorations sadly just won’t cut it during the winter months. If you want to keep your outdoor area feeling homely, you’ll need to chuck the deckchairs and sun shades into your shed and settle on something else.
Consider buying some soft outdoor couches, warm rugs and throws to keep your guests warm and comfortable. Make an effort to select furniture that works to create a sense of warmth that will make guests feel as snug as they would if they were sat in your living room.