Stylish Upgrades Everyone Is Making To Their Patios This Winter

If you're wondering what stylish upgrades you need to make to your property this winter, then this guide is here to help. We run through some options you can choose from, including everything from soft textiles to protective elements that make living outside much more enjoyable.

So, what do we recommend, and how should you install them or implement them in your home? 

Fire pits

If you don't have a fire pit in your outdoor area on your property, you're missing out. These provide a massive amount of warmth and are scalable even if you have lots of guests.

Fire tends to work much better than conventional infrared space heaters, and it's also cheaper to run. Plus, you can now get fire pits with stylish designer elements like fire bowls or fires that combine with water features from your pool.

These are ideal if you're toasting warm drinks or roasting marshmallows under the stars. 

Patio heaters

If a fire pit isn't a viable option for you, then you might want to use patio heaters. Many of these use propane gas and have heating elements that act a bit like radiators instead of relying on infrared, they conduct warmth to you through the air directly.

What's more, you can get many of the traditional bulk of these units and replace them with modern options that are 10 times better than what they used to be. Just make sure you have several of these if you have multiple seating areas on your decking or patio. 

Cozy textiles and blankets

Layering your outdoor areas with cozy textiles and blankets is another great way to upgrade it for the winter time.

People love being outdoors in the snow if they have snug rugs and oversized pillows. Just make sure that if the fabric remains outdoors year-round that it's water-resistant and won't lead to mold growth. 

There are options these days for very special fabrics that resist water and biologicals, so look for these next time you're at the garden centre. If you can find soft, fade-proof acrylics, that's the gold standard. These are made of plastic polymers that won't absorb moisture or remain damp. They also eliminate the risk of mold growth.

Use ambient string lights

Another recommendation this time of year is to use ambient string lights. You can hang these in rows between your home and your pergola, trees, umbrellas, awnings, patio shelters, and anything else that will create the ambience you want.

Turn lights on in the evening; it creates a warm and enchanting atmosphere which is ideal for the winter time. 

We suggest using the warmest lighting you can find. Harsh white lights don't really go well with the season, and they can disrupt your circadian rhythm if you're exposed to them in the evening. Instead, go for lights around 2000 Kelvin that mimic sunset or firelight. 

Use an enclosed pergola or screen

These are essentially regular pergolas but with screens and curtains you can draw to maintain privacy inside. These are particularly helpful if your property is overlooked by your neighbors and you don't want them seeing what you're doing all the time. 

Many people think that screens eliminate the outdoor space. However, you can have the best of both worlds.

Glass panels can be open when you want them to be, and then you can close the curtains when you don't want people to look in. You could also explore the idea of getting one-way glass so you can look out at your garden but then nobody can see what you're doing inside. . 

Another idea is to include wind blocks. For example, you could add evergreen shrubs or tall planters to the area around your patio to prevent people from getting chilled in the winter. Even if the temperature is around 40°F, a strong wind can make it feel much colder than this and make it uncomfortable to sit outside. But when you eliminate these chilly breezes, it gets rid of this problem. 

Add outdoor rugs

If you haven't done so already, you might also want to look into adding some outdoor rugs for greater warmth underfoot. Walking around outside during cold weather, even with shoes on, can be uncomfortable.

The coldness of the ground can transmit through the bottom of the shoe and leave people's feet feeling cold, but of course you can get rid of all of this if you use a nice insulating rug. Just make sure it's made from materials that can withstand outdoor conditions.

Don't put a regular indoor rug in an outdoor area as it will eventually generate mold. 

Rugs are particularly important if you have a stone or paving stone floor. They can make it possible to walk around outside even without any boots on. 

Choose designer furniture

Choosing designer furniture for your outdoor areas is another great way to upgrade them stylishly. There are many manufacturers who are now making top-quality products for external locations like patios that can survive weather year-round. 

For example, Hartman outdoor furniture is an option if you're looking for something you can leave outside no matter what the weather does. Manufacturers like this now make many of their products from rattan or synthetic materials that are comfortable but can also survive outside.

You don't have to worry about bringing them indoors during storms or keeping them out of the rain. Even their cushions are suitable to be left indefinitely in the open. 

Use heated blankets

Finally, you might want to look into using heated blankets for your patio area. Heated blankets were popular historically when people lived without central heating. However, they became less used over the years as home owners didn't see the point of using them.

However, these days with so many people having outdoor spaces in their homes, they've come back into vogue. Heated blankets can keep people warm throughout the year, even when temperatures plummet. Plus, all you need for them is an outdoor socket, and you're good to go. 

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Our writers like to find the latest trends in home decor. We launched the award-winning Seasons in Colour in 2015 and the luxury property and interior decor blog www.alltheprettyhomes.com in 2024 to cover all your interior design, travel and lifestyle inspiration needs.