Creating A Winter Outside Space

 

As the days grow colder and the nights longer, enjoying the garden may seem like a distant memory. While everyone’s wishing they could get together with family and friends for Christmas, gardens and balconies are left out in the cold, but you don’t have to stop having fun outside in the winter months.

 

Frosty leaves and red skies can make the winter months some of the most beautiful and best times to go outside. Gardens and balconies were national saviours during the lockdown months of 2020, garnering must-have status among more homebuyers than ever before. Why not stay warm and enjoy the freshness of winter in the garden or on your balcony?

 

Look to the people of Scandinavia for outdoor winter inspiration, as they delight at the prospect of long nights, steaming stews, mulled wine and hot chocolate.

 

Even without the promise of Alpine landscapes beneath the stars, there are plenty of quick and easy options for adding instant winter magic to your garden or balcony that keep it usable and beautiful, no matter what the weather, creating a year-round asset for you and potential buyers.

  

 

The usual advice at this time of year is to put away all your garden furniture to keep them out of the elements while you mothball and close the curtains on the outside world.

 

Instead of that, invest in some weatherproof canvas covers that protect your furniture when not in use, but keep it ready for action for the cosy and convivial nights that we’re about to help you create. Crisp cold weather is perfect for an outdoor gathering, but nobody wants be cold and chilly. So creating a covered area will help to ensure you and your guests enjoy your outside space. Canvas sail shades or awnings are perfect for a temporary fix. They can be attached to walls, trees, fences, using easy to install ring and loop fixings. Choose a tight weave fabric to ensure its waterproof.

 

Lay down outdoor rugs to zone the space, procure a supply of thick snuggly blankets for you and your chosen companions to wrap yourselves in for maximum enjoyment of long, lazy and wonderful winter evenings outdoors.

  

 

The Christmas illuminations on high streets, the window displays of shops and the decorations at home are wonderful but the magic doesn’t have to stop there as there are multiple ways of turning your garden or balcony into a magical place of light.

 

Strings of vintage bulbs are very de rigueur, hanging above the terraces of pubs, cafes and bars. No less effective at home in your garden or balcony, all you need is an outdoor power supply to create a winter wonderland.

 

If you have no power supply you can emulate the effect with L.E.D. or battery-powered chains of lanterns, globes or even fairy lights: just make sure the power pack is sited somewhere safe where it won’t get rained on.

 

Alternatively storm candles require no batteries or electricity and come in modern and traditional styles to suit any exterior space, and everything looks beautiful by candlelight!

Whether it’s a chiminea, fire pit or outdoor fire place, the warmth and glow of a fire brings instant atmosphere and cheer. What you choose as a heat source may depend on the size of your garden and the proximity of your neighbours.

 

An enclosed fireplace with chimney will keep things contained, and it provides a safe and sociable way to burn logs. Fire pits are suitable for a larger garden with plenty of space to site them safely.  If you only have a small area to entertain, consider a bioethanol powered outdoor fire, suitable for table tops and patios.

 

Today, the range of domestic infrared outdoor heaters is wider than ever with freestanding, parasol and wall-mounted options to suit every type of outdoor space. And because there are no flames, infrared heaters can be sited below awnings and parasols to trap the heat, which means you can use them even when it’s raining.

  

 

You might be surprised to know how many different plants cheerfully burst into bloom at this time of year. Winter flowers give a welcome splash of colour to the coldest and darkest months. If your garden or balcony lacks a bit of colour, head to your local garden centre.   

  

 

Very often, the only activity a garden or balcony sees in the winter is from our feathered friends, as they rely on bird feeders in the colder months. With native British species joined by visitors from continental Europe, Scandinavia and even Russia, competing for calorie rich tit-bits such as suet, sunflower seeds and peanuts to maintain their fat reserves on frosty nights.

 

Gazing out of the window and watching the birds hover, dart and perch is winter food for the mind and soul, as well as encouraging biodiversity, you can easily draw birds to your garden or balcony with the promise of a free meal through hanging feeders and bird baths.

 

So there you have it: you don’t have to wait for spring or summer to enjoy the outside at home. Whatever sort of outdoor space you have, it can be quickly and easily transformed for winter to create a magical seasonal sanctuary, as well as a seductive selling point for viewers.