Most people only use their outdoor living spaces during the warmer months. However, with a few simple changes, you can enjoy your outdoor spaces all year long by making your outdoor living spaces more comfortable and inviting no matter what the weather is like outside. From upgrading furniture to adding lights and even a fire pit, there are many ways to make the most of these spaces. Let’s explore some tips on how to enjoy your outdoor living space year-round. Whether you’re looking for ideas or just want to be reminded of what’s possible, read on for some inspiration!

Invest in Some Good Quality Furniture

Outdoor furniture should be durable and weather-resistant to withstand the elements. There are a variety of materials to choose from, so pick something that fits your style and budget.

Wrought iron furniture is a great choice for year-round outdoor use. It’s very heavy and sturdy furniture and because of its open pattern design, it’s not a rain catcher like other solid furniture tends to be. It’s more comfortable if you add cushions, which you can take inside during inclement weather.

Another good option is folding chairs that can be stored and brought outside in any season and easily fold away in your shed or garage. A picnic table generally will sit outside all seasons. It can be repainted or stained over the years, and a tablecloth makes it all look inviting for dining.

Whatever outdoor furniture you choose remember to consider where to store the furniture and pillows if you can’t leave it outside all winter. As shed is an ideal place to store your outdoor furnishings so they last longer.

Add Some Greenery

Plants and flowers can brighten up any space and make it feel more inviting. When choosing perennials for your garden or borders consider what is the “blooming season” for each of the plants and selecting spring through fall blooming plants so that for the entire flowering season, your garden will always have colorful blooms. And pay attention to what each perennial looks like before it blooms and afterward. Some you will need to cut back dead looking plants, but some look great even through the winter months when snow falls on them.

Everyone loves the annuals that bloom all summer if weather conditions, and watering is monitored.  There are so many choices of both annuals and perennials try something fun like ornamental grasses, and non-blooming plants for a variety of greens and a natural look.

Install a Fire Pit

A fire pit is a great way to enjoy your outdoor living space all year round. Not only will it provide warmth on chilly nights, but it can also be used for cooking or simply relaxing in front of.

If you have a patio or a safe area for a permanent fire pit you can enjoy impromptu fires all season long from roasting marshmallows for S’mores or for adding to hot chocolate in the winter during sledding or ice-skating parties, you’ll never regret having a designated fire pit.

And if a permanent fire pit isn’t an option, then try a portable wrought iron circular pit with a screen protector, or a chiminea is a nice option for a smaller area like a deck or patio. Although some communities don’t allow wood burning fires, you could try a propane fireplace instead.

Add Some Outdoor Lighting

Outdoor lighting can help to extend the use of your outdoor living space into the evening hours. String lights, lanterns, and solar lights are all great options that will add a touch of ambiance to your space.

Lighting is everything about creating atmosphere. Picture your outdoor living space with border lights along the path to the house or driveway, and some solar lights on some branches or bushes, and lights that highlight a tree base are all ways of enjoying your time outside year-round. Add some candles to the tables and sitting areas and you will begin to love twilight as much as daytime!

Create Different Areas

If your outdoor living space is on the large side, consider creating different areas for different activities. For example, you could have a seating area for entertaining, a dining area for outdoor meals, and a play area for kids or pets.

Having designated areas can really be great for hosting large family gatherings where there is a place for adults and children to enjoy all year long. If you have winter activities or a way to keep guest warm in the winter, then your backyard can be fun every season.

If you have large section of yard/grass space you could set up a volleyball or badminton net and horseshoe pits to enjoy during the summer months, and in the winter, you could have an ice rink area for skating during the winter.

Adding Bird Feeders

If you enjoy attracting birds to your property, this is a fun hobby that can be enjoyed by the whole family though the year. Installing bird feeders can be tricky if you have squirrels that might gorge on all your birdseed. Most avid bird lovers will succumb to feeding the squirrels too by adding feeders away from the action and bird feeders.

Adding a birdbath is an essential part of feeding birds, keeping them hydrated and bathed all summer long. Winter is more difficult for birds to find water that’s not frozen, you can get heaters for the bird feeder that will help keep and opening the water all winter.

Another way to enjoy seeing a variety of birds all season is to look outside from the indoor windows to see where placing the feeders outside can be viewed during the winter from inside your home.

Add Some Overhead Shelter

Having a permanent overhead protection makes a huge difference for year-round enjoyment. Having a pergola, or a pavilion allows for all season enjoyment even on rainy days or snow showers. It helps with shade and overall, a feeling of coziness like an outdoor room vs just being outside. Lighting can easily be strung up or installed overhead, add the fire pit or propane heaters in colder months and you have an extension of outdoor living at it’s finest!

By following these tips, you can design an outdoor living space that can be enjoyed all year round. Seasonal decor and weather-resistant furniture will help to make your space more inviting and enjoyable no matter what the weather is like.

Whether you live in a warm or cold climate, there are ways to enjoy your outdoor living spaces all year round. By adding some key pieces of furniture and decor, as well as making a few small changes, you can create an inviting space that you can enjoy no matter what the weather is like outside. Let us know if you would like more information on how to add a pergola or pavilion to your home – we’d be happy to help! We can help turn your outdoor living space into an oasis that you and your family will love spending time in.