Live Outdoors this Winter

For the majority of us, our gardens are strictly off-limits during the colder months. Aside from the odd mission to refill the bird feeder, most people retreat indoors for the duration of the winter and only venture out again with the arrival of spring.

However, on those crisp, clean winter mornings, it seems such a shame to let the outside space of our homes go to waste. On winter days when there’s not a cloud in the sky, I’m desperate to escape the house, shake off the stuffiness of the central heating and spend some time outside.

This guide has been created to help you make the most of your outside space this winter.

Decking and Patio 

When it comes to spending time outdoors in the winter, your decking or patio is the perfect place to relax. However, if you’re planning on spending a lot of time using your outdoor space, it’s maybe worth constructing a small structure to protect you from the elements. If you build a simple structure with vertical beams, this can be modified between winter and summer: in winter, a cover can be stretched across the beams to act as a roof, which can be removed in the summer for a light, airy space.

That said, you don’t even need to have a covered area to enjoying being outside during the colder months. Take a look at this fantastic example from houzz.com, of a simple outdoor living space, which uses a gorgeous free standing fire at the focal point.

Furniture 

The only type of furniture that’s going to survive the duration of a winter outdoors is made from metal and even that has a chance of rusting. What’s more, when I want to sit back with a cup of something warm and enjoy the freshness of winter, I want comfortable furnishings that are going to help me to relax.

That’s why I would advise using indoor furniture and arranging your living space each time you want to use it. I like to keep things simple when it comes to outdoor furniture, so I love the selection of modern furniture at Vita Interiors. The clean, simple lines of pieces like this oak coffee table are perfect for the outdoors and will add a touch of elegance to the proceedings when you’re entertaining guests.

(This oak coffee table, available to buy online from Vita Interiors is a great piece to add to your outside space if you’re entertaining guests.)

Heat 

Ask your friends if they want to come and sit in the garden with you this winter, and I’m sure you’ll receive a resounding ‘no’. On the other hand, invite them to relax around a crackling log fire, drinking hot coco and toasting marshmallows, and I’m sure you’ll be flooded with positive RVSPs.

There are lots of options when it comes a fireplace for your outside space. If you want to go all-out, you can construct a freestanding fireplace from brick or stone that will give the living area a sense of permanence. This is also a great place to cook and can be used all year round.

If your budget can’t stretch to a permanent structure, another option is a clay or metal chimenea. These are a fantastic addition to a deck or patio area and are designed to generate intense heat, so they’re perfect for outdoor winter living spaces.