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How to Get Year-Round Use Out of your Patio

February 27, 2021 | Comments Off on How to Get Year-Round Use Out of your Patio

During the summer, your patio area is one of the most frequented places in your home. It’s relaxing and allows your family to enjoy being outdoors in the warm weather. However, as soon the temperatures begin to drop, you may naturally turn indoors and abandon your patio space. Many homeowners do this, but the reality is you don’t have to. In fact, there are many ways you can upgrade your patio so that you can get more use out of it during the entire year! Get inspired by these different approaches to make your outdoor space enjoyable no matter the season. The below upgrades can be implemented for both screened-in and non-screened-in patios.

Combat the Cold with a Heat Source

One of the first things to add to your patio space is some source of heat. You could add a few electric outdoor heaters to position around your seating. These will produce a great amount of heat that will keep everyone comfortable while hanging out on the patio. Another option is to build a firepit. This heat source will only work in open patios for obvious reasons! Fire pits offer great ambience and can be built or bought depending on your budget and size of your patio.

Enhance the Comfort Level with Blankets

Bring even more comfort to your patio by adding a few blankets that can keep everyone warm and cozy on cold evenings. These can be stored in waterproof outdoor bins or kept in your home until you’re ready to use them. Paired with a few cups of hot cocoa or tea, your patio will continue to be a favorite area of your home. Not only will it be ideal for your family, but guests will love chatting on your patio too.

Install Additional Lighting

During the fall and winter, the amount of daylight you have to work with decreases. Because of this, you’ll need to add more lighting options to your patio space. Otherwise, you’ll be sitting in the dark! There are tons of ways you can go about this, allowing you to get as creative as you’d like. If your space is enclosed, you can add overhead lighting and even lamps. For non-enclosed potions, you can use railing or string lights to hang up on taller fixtures nearby. You can also use path lights all around your patio for more light and great ambience. If you choose to add a firepit, this will naturally help as well.

Add a Wind Block

There’s nothing worse than shivering in your coat as piercing winds blow. This is the kind of thing that will drive you to get inside where it’s warm! Wind blocks can instantly make your outdoor patio more comfortable to be on for extended amounts of time. You can build one of these by adding outdoor curtains or screens, which will divert the wind from your space. If you enjoy growing and caring for plants, consider adding a few winter plants around your patio. Large, thick plant life can help cut down on winds and will add to the overall appearance of your back yard.

Consider Enclosing the Space If Not Already

If your patio isn’t already enclosed, it might be something to consider. Adding a structure over your patio offers a plethora of benefits, including protection from the elements and better privacy. You won’t need to watch the weather for snow or create defenses against cold winds. It’s much easier to heat enclosed spaces and will be a safe location for the kids and pets that will allow them to enjoy the feeling of being outside.

Don’t Let the Patio Become Stifling

If you have an open patio, this isn’t a concern for you. However, for those with enclosed patios, your heat source can make the area feel quite hot over time. It’s a good idea to install sliding screen doors for your enclosure’s glass doors to regulate the temperate inside. It’s easy to find custom patio screen doors that will perfectly fit your door opening measures and match the colors of your enclosure. When you’re feeling a little too warm, simply slide open your primary door and pull the screen door closed in its place. This way, you can allow the enclosed area to cool down without leaving an open gap for children or pets to slip through.

With these useful ways to make your patio a more inhabitable space during the whole year, you can easily add to the value of your home by carrying out one or more of the above. You and your family will be able to get that escape from indoors that we all sometimes need during the colder months.