When you invite guests over to be entertained, we’re willing to be that you don’t expect them to stand in a freezing space for hours on end and to make no complaints about it. For this reason, we might adjust our internal air conditioning or thermostat when they come around, make our spaces more inviting, and give them coat hook space or available comforts (like warm tea) if they feel uncomfortable.
But just because it’s winter doesn’t mean you need to shelter your guests like they’re about to hibernate in your bedroom for the winter. As a matter of fact, setting up a calming exterior entertainment space in winter can be lovely. It just takes a little time to set up correctly, but you can certainly do it with some planning.
So, how do you get started? In this post, we’ll discuss a few techniques you may not be aware of:
Heater Lamps
Heater lamps are important because they create a warm, inviting atmosphere even when it’s freezing outside of that area. They’ll help you feel toasty and comfortable, and with a central heater or even fire (safely distanced from) you can make sure you feel cosy even if it’s snowing. Of course, shelter to help break winds, snow or rain will also matter.
If you choose infrared models you’ll make sure that the heat is directed at guests rather than simply warming the air, which can be particularly helpful during cooler nights or if you have a good amount of space to heat.
Patio & Terrace Fixes, Floor Safety Measures
Winter gatherings on outdoor patios or terraces generally require care to keep them safe and comfortable. Adding a weather-resistant rug can help keep the floor from becoming icy or slippery at this time, especially outside of your seating area, and it introduces a cozy texture underfoot.
For patios that are exposed to the elements, you could add anti-slip mats or even heated floor panels if the gathering space is semi-enclosed – or you could just make sure the patio is well-balanced and reliable for many guests to walk on.
Comfortable Seating & Durable Fabrics
Your outdoor furniture needs to withstand winter conditions but it also needs to reliably keep guests comfortable – the heating lamps are fine, but if the wrought iron frames cause people to freeze in their seats, that can be an issue too. Weather-resistant cushions with quick-dry foam cores generally work the best, because they stay usable even after light rain or snow, and so someone wearing relatively warm clothing should have no trouble sitting on them. Just store those safely between sessions.
Ambient Lighting
We tend to think of a calm snowy winter, especially in the evening, as being somewhat magical. But without the ambience that’s not necessarily the impression you’ll really have. String lights or solar-powered lanterns can be a good way to gain a gentle glow that warms up the space without overpowering it. If you’re aiming for a festive look (IE outside of Australia and other areas that are warm at this time), then colored lighting and outdoor figures/small statues of gnomes or Santa etc could add a nice sense of calm. When you feel warm outside and inside, you’ll feel your best.
With this advice, we hope you can more easily entertain your guests, even outside in the winter.
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