Ideas to Warm Your Outdoor Living Spaces
Choose a Location
Assess your property to narrow down the most suitable space. If you have a backyard deck, front porch, and a patio, choose just one of these areas to upgrade for the winter. By selecting a single space, you can focus your time and money on creating a warm, cozy place to spend time outdoors with family and friends.
Creating Warmth
There are several ways to heat your outdoor space. Here are a few options to add warmth and ambiance.
Warm Your Outdoor Living Spaces by Installing a Fire Pit
A large flat area is great for installing or building a fire pit. The fire pit should be contained within a ring of non-combustible material like stacked rocks, pavers, or prefabricated metal specifically designed for a fire pit. The fire pit should not be placed close to structures or under low-hanging branches. If you purchase a prefabricated fire pit, use the metal screen that is included to place over the fire.
Chiminea
If a fire pit in the yard isn’t a safe or viable option, look into a chiminea for the deck or patio. A chiminea shouldn’t be placed directly on the wood of a deck. Instead, install a non-combustible and heat-resistant platform. The chiminea also shouldn’t be positioned too close to the home, and on windy days, it’s best to not build a fire at all.
Use Outdoor Heaters to Warm Your Outdoor Living Spaces
A fire pit and chiminea require constant attention. Live flame should always be attended by a responsible adult. In the case of a wood-burning fire pit, it can take some time to get the fire going.
For instant outdoor warmth, there are portable heaters on the market that are designed to warm small spaces outside. Some of these are electric and need to be plugged into an outdoor outlet. There are also models available that are fueled by propane or other combustible gas.
Other Ways to Ward Off the Cold
When it comes to staying warm outdoors, here are a few more ideas.
- For an innovative way to stay warm, install radiant flooring beneath the patio. The heat from the floor will radiate upwards, keeping you and your guests cozy.
- Install a hot tub. Soaking in warm water is a great way to relax and unwind after a long day. When it’s chilly outdoors, you’ll welcome the warmth.
- Purchase an outdoor rug and add a few throw blankets to the patio furniture. This is an inexpensive and effective option for relaxing out on the balcony for short periods of time. Extra insulation helps to keep you warm outside.
- Hang curtains around your deck, porch, or patio. Thick outdoor curtains are great for insulating a space. They block chilly breezes and keep the area warmer.
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