When it comes to patio ideas, there are a lot of options. Unfortunately, quite a few of them are expensive, and they might not be properly designed for cold weather. That’s unfortunate, because using your patio in cold weather can be tons of fun. With the right patio ideas on a budget, you can enjoy everything your outdoor space has to offer even when it’s chilly outside. It’s not necessary to stay indoors when it’s cold, but you do need to know how to make the very best use of your space, so you won’t get too cold or cause any danger to yourself, your friends, and family, or your house. Here are four things to consider when you need cold weather patio budget ideas.
1) Should you stay off the patio when it’s chilly?
When you bought your home, one of the biggest points of interest may have been the great outdoor space. Fortunately, you don’t have to avoid using your patio just because it’s cold outside. You can get out there whether the air is crisp or the snow is flying, and still have a great time. Some people take lightweight plastic sheeting and enclose their patio, so they can have protection from the elements and still be outdoors. If you want to do that, the sheeting can be purchased inexpensively and it’s not hard to attach. If the weather is too bad you may need to stay off the patio during the worst of it, but some plastic sheeting curtains will definitely give you the opportunity to enjoy your patio more than you would otherwise be able to when the colder months arrive.
2) What about a fire pit?
Fire pits can be great choices when you want to use your patio during cold weather. Just don’t mix them with the plastic sheeting idea. Not only could that be a fire hazard, you could also trap smoke and dangerous gases inside your patio. Use your fire pit near your patio, or on a patio that isn’t enclosed. That allows the smoke and gases to escape, so you won’t have to worry about making anyone sick. You can stay nice and warm with the use of a fire pit, too, which really helps you enjoy your patio when it’s chilly outdoors. You may not get too much use of an outdoor space unless you have some kind of heat source, so that’s very important to consider. Fire pits are wonderful ways to safely heat up your patio, and enjoy parties and get-togethers all year long.
3) Is it time for roasting marshmallows?
There’s nothing like the taste of marshmallows roasted over a campfire. If you just bought a house and want to use the patio in cold weather, having a cookout or campfire can be a great way to enjoy your outdoor space. You can do that if you have kids, and also for the adults in the family, so there’s no right or wrong day to enjoy your campfire and your marshmallows. If you want to roast them in your fire pit you can, but there are other choices, too. Even using a grill can work, and some people install outdoor kitchens or other types of cooking and heating sources on their patios. Some of these can be expensive, but there are also budget options you can consider that won’t break the bank but that will give you a great way to have a snack outdoors.
You don’t need to limit it to marshmallows. When you have a cooking source on your patio you can even grill out when it’s cold. The heat from the grill can keep you warm, and the roof over the patio will protect you from any rain or snow. Just make sure you have adequate ventilation, so you don’t get sick, and you’re ready to have a great meal out on your patio, any time of the year. Since you probably already use your grill in the summer months, it will be easy to get it out and have fun with it on your patio during the wintertime, too.
4) Is there furniture that can handle the cold?
Where you’re going to sit matters. If you’ve priced patio furniture, you know some of it can be out of the range of your budget. That’s to be expected, but you still have options. Metal chairs can work well, but they’re also very cold. Plastic chairs cost less, but there’s the chance of them becoming brittle in chilly weather. You don’t want to have them break just because the temperature dropped. Wood is usually the best choice for rugged patio furniture, and the good news is that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to make something that will work. Benches are easy, for example, and you can make them yourself so you won’t be spending a lot.
When you put a bench against the wall between the patio and your house, you’ve instantly got some great seating that’s protected from the wind. You can also put benches around your fire pit. so you and your friends or family members have somewhere to sit and talk, eat, or drink hot chocolate. By making or buying sturdy wooden benches and other types of patio furniture, your investment in them will last a long time. That will help you stay on budget, both now and later.
Fortunately, you don’t have to avoid using your patio just because it’s cold outside.
If you just bought a house and want to use the patio in cold weather, having a cookout or campfire can be a great way to enjoy your outdoor space.
