Architecture Design, Interior Design, Home Design and Decorating Magazine |
| Top Accessories to Make your Garden Cosy in Winter Posted: 02 Jan 2013 07:39 PM PST The garden may not be the most obvious place to hang out in the winter, but it doesn’t need to be cold and uninviting. In fact, there are loads of great products that can transform your backyard into a cosy haven, helping you to enjoy it all year round. The great thing about this is that it makes winter gardening more comfortable, as well as transforming the garden into a brilliant space for entertaining.  Winter Cabin Outdoor heaters Let’s start by tackling the most obvious problem first, shall we? I don’t know about you, but the main reason I don’t sit in the garden in the winter is that if I did I’d probably turn blue from the cold within the first five minutes. The solution? Outdoor heaters. There are several different sorts you can buy, so I’ll give you a quick rundown of your options: • Fire pits: Once upon a time, these were true to their name and were basically just holes dug into the ground with a fire lit inside. These days, you can buy fancier versions made from brick, stone or metal, which can be used to both heat your garden and add a bit of drama. An added bonus of fire pits is that you can often use them to cook things like baked potatoes, which is great for occasions like Bonfire Night. Lighting The next step is working out a lighting scheme – after all, it’s pretty hard to feel cosy and comfortable in your garden if it’s pitch black. There’s an impressive range of solar lights out there, which I think are generally the best option, since you may as well harness natural energy rather than adding to your electricity bill. That said, if you’re planning on celebrating a special occasion in the garden during the winter (a birthday, for example), I think decorating any trees you have with fairy lights is a lovely touch. But let’s get back to solar lighting. There are loads of choices, including crystal light sticks that are great for lighting up pathways, and ultra-bright solar post lamps, which are hardwearing enough to remain outdoors all year round. It’s also worth considering more decorative options, such as solar table lights, which can be used both for lighting purposes and to make the garden prettier. Shelter Lastly, it’s well worth erecting some kind of shelter if you can. Large gazebos are great for keeping you out of the rain and, thanks to their open design, have the added advantage of allowing anyone inside to freely mingle with those outside, making them great for parties. Of course, this also means they’re not particularly warm on their own (which is why they’re typically used in summer), but if you team them with heaters and lights they should still work well in winter. Buying a cheap log cabin is another excellent option, particularly if you want a warmer, more enclosed space. These will keep you out of the wind and rain and have the added benefit of being more versatile than gazebos, as you can also use them for things like studying or working. If you do get a log cabin and want to spend time in it during the winter, remember you’ll need to add a few bits and pieces to make it cosy. I recommend rugs, shed lights (you can buy solar versions of these too), cushions and a portable heater. |
| You are subscribed to email updates from Architecture Design, Interior Design, Home Design and Decorating Magazine To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
