Sure, gardens are glorious in the summer when your planters are in full bloom and you’re soaking up the sunshine but when the mercury drops, you might be less inclined to spend time outdoors. Why not get creative and spend a little time and effort into keeping your outdoor space usable and inviting long after you’ve put away the Pimms?

Get cosy

Stargazing doesn’t need to stop at the end of summer. In fact, as the night’s draw in, you have even longer to explore the universe! Grab a hot cup of cocoa and point your gaze skyward. One great way to encourage your loved ones outdoors is to invest in a patio heater, which can be purchased pretty inexpensively.

Another fantastic source of heat is to gather your family around a cast iron, steel or clay chimney or wood burner. Again, these are handy to pop into the shed when not in use and can be fuelled by wood and kindling, making them cheap to run. Building a budget-friendly fire pit can take very little cash and a small amount of effort but we’re sure it will all be worth it when you’re toasting marshmallows under cosy blankets with your pals.

Summer house or winter house?

Summer houses can become a lovely focal point for your outside space. Coming in all shapes and sizes, they can be popped into the snuggest of corners so that you can enjoy the outdoors from indoors! We’re sure your new structure will become a favourite space for reading, hobbies and socialising. Speaking of hobbies, if you really are the crafty type, why not go a step further and build that workshop you’ve always wanted.

A winter kitchen

The onset of winter doesn’t mean your outdoor kitchen has to close until next year. Barbequed food can be on the menu year round. Investing in a good gas model with a sturdy hood will make sure that gales are less likely to hamper your attempts.

Gazebos and canopies will be worth their weight in gold when you can whip up a barbecued feast, even if it’s bucketing down. Installing a pizza oven is another way to make your outdoor space usable year-round. You don’t need to spend heaps of time outdoors if it’s a wood-fired pizza oven as this is a relatively quick cooking method. This is always good news!

Light it up!

When it’s dark and gloomy outside, make sure your garden stays bright by installing some outdoor lighting. Who says fairy lights are only for the festive season? Keep your garden twinkling year round by draping a few strings around your favourite trees and hedges. Solar powered outdoor lighting is low maintenance and low cost and can make a big difference to how welcoming your garden looks in the evening.

For more tips and tricks for your home this winter, read our other blogs, or connect with us on social media!