Winter is coming: transform your backyard into the best living space
Like bears, bats, and badgers, we humans go into a type of hibernation in winter. We find comfort indoors and forget there's living space outside. But, just because it’s getting a little cold out, doesn't mean your home's exterior needs to look dejected and lifeless. Here are a few ways you can turn your backyard into a winter utopia:
Get Festive With It
With a few decorations here and there, you can create a warm ambiance fitting for winter and welcome the holiday spirit in style. A good old-fashioned wreath on the door can help achieve that, and you can go all out with berries and pinecones too. Light and warmth are two things that go together, so why not stock up on some fairy lights and café lights as well?
Incorporate Natural Colors and Textures
You want to avoid going for loud and intense colors as winter is a time to conserve energy. You're better off with classic and timeless, neutral and natural shades during this period. Tans, grays, and browns are what you're going to be looking for here. White can work too unless there's the threat of kid and pet-related clumsiness. What’s more, these colors are earthy, airy, and deep.
It’s not just about what you see, either. For instance; wooden furniture has an earthy brown tone that adds a rustic feel to the space. And one of the common teak furniture FAQs that we get is whether you can keep it outside all year round and the answer is yes you can!
Now, appealing to the sense of touch will be just as effective in making your backyard fit for winter. Animal skins, faux furs, and woven wools will do the trick. Ornamental grasses will dance in the wind, and if you want a good living space; movement is your best friend. Colorful and cold-resistant plants like camellias and evergreen holly can add some flair to a space dominated by more subtle colors.
Bring the Heat
You're not just going to sit by the patio freezing your ears off all winter, are you? One way to keep warm while you're out there is to prepare a place to keep fires running. For the patio, a wood-burning stove or chimney will do the job. For the yard at large, there's the option of creating a fire pit. Just make sure the space is clear of trees above, as you wouldn't want your bonfires to burn the neighborhood.
Give your Windows the Wow Factor
Aside from providing you with natural light and a view of the world outside, your windows can be transformed into something even more exciting and inviting. You can line your window sills with flowers, branches, tiny trees, or climbers. String lights, garlands, and wreaths can also give your windows some edge. Having something covering your windows may even help with preventing cold drafts.
Cater to Critters
Winter can be a little inconvenient for us humans. You've got limited access to the outdoors, the flu going around, and all the uncomfortable clothes you have to wear. For wildlife; finding food, water, and shelter can be challenging, too. Why then wouldn't you want to share your living space with other lifeforms, just for a little liveliness?
Plant some native trees and shrubs that your local animals will love. If they're deciduous and evergreen; even better. Make a pond or birdbath where birds can fluff their feathers to protect themselves from the cold. Set up nesting boxes, feeders, or birdhouses. You'll be happy to see just how much of a wildlife sanctuary your backyard ends up becoming after all this.
