Winter is here – cold, wet, and miserable winter. Instead of focusing on all the things you can’t do during the coldest months of the year, choose to focus on the awesome things you can. Many people shy away from their backyards during this icy season. Depending on your location, winter doesn’t have to be a bad word.
Take back the season with these eight stunning decorating ideas to bring life back into your outdoor area. Dressing your backyard space has never been easier!
1. Clean Up Dead Leaves
As the seasons change, so do the trees around us. Mother nature is awe-inspiring, to say the least! The colorful leaves of the fall slowly change as they decompose, turning your once vibrant backyard into a frozen compost pile.
While it’s great to keep a patch here or there to feed the grass and surrounding plants when spring arrives, you don’t want to get buried in dead leaves for the whole of winter. The only solution is to rake the unwanted leaves together and get rid of them.
Time raking so that the leaves are dry when they get raked – raking wet and matted leaves is no one’s idea of a good time. If the ground is frozen, it is best to use a leaf blower and stay off the grass to avoid damaging it.
2. Move Annual Plants
If you haven’t prepared your garden for winter and live in a cold climate, it’s likely too late to intervene. Luckily, nature has a way of coping with the coldest season.
Annuals aren’t quite the same – they only live for one season and certainly cannot survive in freezing weather. Plants like snapdragons and ornamental kale prefer cooler seasons which means they grow and bloom when it’s colder. Extend the life of your annuals by covering them during light frosts.
3. Garden Art
The winter landscape can look a little dull, especially when compared to the vibrant colors of spring. Most plants go dormant, and you can’t blame them – you probably would too if given half the chance.
When winter turns your outdoor palette to shades of brown and gray, add pops of color with well-placed garden art. Choose your pieces to stand out against the stark backdrop of the dreary winter season.
4. Perfect Paving
One of the simplest and most effective ways to transform your outdoor space is with the right garden paving. The first step with a project like this is to assess where you want to pave your backyard during the design stage. Patios and paved areas need to be as weatherproof as possible to get maximum benefit and usage from the space.
Choose experienced landscape and paving contractors to give you peace of mind during your outdoor renovation – you’ll be glad that you did.
5. Install A Fire Pit
A fire pit is a must-have for entertaining outdoors during winter. Make the most of your outdoor space, even during the colder months with a thoughtfully designed fire pit area.
If you have animals and small children, it is vital to consider the safety aspects before you install a pit. If you’re looking to cook there too, you will need a large enough design to support the weight of cast iron pots and pans.
6. Blanket Boxes
Nothing says winter quite like sipping hot cocoa next to a crackling fire, cozied up under a plush blanket. Bring warmth to your outdoor space by incorporating blanket boxes into the design of the area.
There are many gorgeous designs available, but none of the plastic ones compare to the aesthetic value of boxes made of wood or baskets woven from natural fibers. Look for boxes with hinges, simply for the convenience of using them as opposed to the loose-lidden options.
7. Winter Colors
Winter colors are reminders of everything opulent and luxurious in the world. Think rich purples, reds, and dark blues and greens – festive colors have never looked better.
Surround yourself with a warm-toned palette of vibrant colors and materials fit for a king or queen. Add pops of color to an otherwise drab exterior. Winter is all about greys and browns, but with the right accent pops it can be a magical place, filled with gorgeous décor elements.
8. Lighting
With natural lighting being less of an option during the cold season, lighting options need to be well thought out and planned. Moody lighting is a great choice for cold winter nights, to add warmth to the space.
Choose large chandeliers or drape bulb lighting along the rafters of your patio. String lights are a must during winter! Whatever you choose, choose diligently – because lighting affects the mood of the entire space.
