How to create an outdoor living space to enjoy year-round
As winter approaches, everyone is wondering… how will we continue to visit our family and friends at a safe distance? Being able to gather outdoors has kept us sane during these times so we want to extend the ability to enjoy our outdoor spaces.
Edmonton winters may be long and cold, but we are tough and we’re determined to help you create an outdoor living space to enjoy year-round despite the deep freeze! This will be the year to embrace the outdoors and really make the most of staying home.
Here are some 5 tips to enjoy your outdoor living space all year and winterize your patio:
1) Enclose Your Patio Space
Create an enclosure with a gazebo, pergola or make use of your covered patio area. Shield yourself from the wind with outdoor curtains or screens. The screens and curtains will provide privacy while you sip hot beverages with family and friends. Keep a snow blower on hand to easily remove snow that blows into the space.
2) Turn Up the Heat
Add a few heat sources to your patio space to make it extra warm and cozy. Hang heat lamps from an overhead structure or place floor heaters around at a safe distance from patio furniture. Fire pits, outdoor fireplaces and fire tables provide warmth and instant ambiance! Rockland carries fire pit kits from Expocrete and Barkman and we've created a guide on how to install a fire pit yourself. Stock up on firewood and gather around the fire to roast marshmallows in your backyard this winter. (Note: Ensure you keep heat lamps and fire tables covered when not in use.)
3) Add Mood Lighting
Not only is there a chill in the air during fall and winter but it gets dark early so lighting is key to creating a cozy, usable space. Add landscape lighting, built in patio lighting or string lights to keep outdoor spaces well-lit for safety and functionality. Rockland carries spotlights, path lights, step lights and wall sconces from in-lite Designs. To learn more about outdoor lighting, please check out these 4 tips to integrate lighting into your yard or contact us.
4) Grill On
Gathering with friends or family over a meal looks different these days so being able to visit and cook dinner outdoors will be a game changer. Keep your BBQ going year-round with our 10 tips on how to BBQ during winter. Consider adding a heat lamp near your BBQ station and keep blankets handy for your guests. Bonus: Level up with an outdoor pizza oven (like the one above from Barkman) which is an all-season crowd-pleaser!
5) More Decor
You’ll be more likely to use your winter patio space if it’s festive and welcoming. Decorate your patio for the season with planters or trees like conifers which can be trimmed in lights for the holidays. Add lanterns with candles, fuzzy blankets and weather proof patio furniture to make family and friends feel comfortable. Cover furniture when not in use so that you can easily shake snow off.
As you prepare your yard for winter, please share how you winterize your patio over on Facebook and Instagram. Here's to enjoying outdoor spaces this winter!