In winter months, preparing your whole property for colder weather is a smart move. This of course extends to your outdoor living space, an area of your home that you lovingly attended to when the weather outside was not so frightful.

But, now that a wintry blanket is descending on your property to varying degrees depending on your local climate, what is to be done with that patio, deck, and general outdoor living space that you’ve painstakingly made your own during the Summer?

Well, writer and outdoor living space specialist Marissa Alan is here to address this, with 4 areas you can concentrate on to preserve, protect, and celebrate, your outdoor living space this winter.

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If you’ve put a lot of time into designing your outdoor living space, winter’s probably your least favorite time of year. The cold weather can present challenges for using your space and keeping your accessories in good shape. But no worries – we’re here to help you with all that. Here are 4 areas in getting your patio ready for winter so you can enjoy it all season long.

Patio Heating

By far, heating is the most crucial element for any outdoor space in the winter. If you don’t keep it warm then it’s going to be hard to spend quality time out there! Wood burning or gas fire pits always make a great option here, as they can double as both a heating device and a great patio centerpiece.

For the smaller outdoor space, try something like an electric patio heater, which is both powerful and compact, providing plenty of heat without needing a lot of room.

Coverings for water features, outdoor kitchens, furniture

You’ve invested a lot in the items you put in your outdoor space, so it’s important to make sure they stay in good shape all year long. Winter is one of the hardest times of the years on them, as the excess moisture and freezing temperatures can bring a whole host of problems.

For items like fountains or grills, heavy duty vinyl covers should keep them safe and dry all winter. For outdoor furniture, look for covers made from water-resistant material to prevent any damage to fabric. Make sure to get your items covered before the first snowfall!

Plants

Plants are one of the easiest ways to add color to the outdoor space, but they can also be some of the most fragile items out there. No time of the year is this more true than winter, when the freezing temperatures can damage root systems and the moisture from snow and freezing rain can drown plants.

If you have plants that can be easily transplanted, try moving them indoors before you get your first freeze. For outdoor planters too big to bring inside, wrap them with a heavily insulated material, like burlap, to keep the soil warmer and prevent damage to the planter itself.

Outdoor living space lighting

Though often overlooked, lighting is essential when preparing the patio for winter. The winter months offer the least amount of daylight of any time of the year, which can complicate using your outdoor space. With some good lighting, you’ll get more use out of the area plus have a natural security and safety feature. Your light fixtures don’t have to be fancy – basic ones are usually the best way to go and do better when it comes time to sell the home.

If you’re dreading the thought of not being able to hang on the patio this winter, put your worries aside. Just keep these 4 tips in mind and you’ll have an outdoor space you can relax in all winter long!

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Thanks, Marissa!

Marissa Alan is a writer with Outdoor Living and loves to spend time relaxing on her patio all year long, no matter what the weather’s doing. For more on items like outdoor fountains, furniture covers, outdoor planters, and hammocks, visit OutdoorLiving.com.

Cheers,

Rob.

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5. Preparing for Bad Winter Weather At Home