4 Tips for Creating a Patio You Can Use All Year Round

Patios are the ultimate accessory for any Aussie homeowner. A well-constructed patio gives you ample space to relax and enjoy the great outdoors. It also allows you to extend your living space by blurring the boundaries between indoor living rooms and the garden. The problem is that many people only use their patio during the summer. Once the weather cools down, we head indoors and forget about sitting outside. Fortunately, you don’t need to ignore your patio space once summer turns into winter. There are plenty of ways to create an all-weather living space the whole family will enjoy – and here’s how.

Patio Blinds

Outdoor patio blinds will improve the energy efficiency of your patio. There are dozens of different patio blind designs to choose from, so look around for a style that suits your home. Blinds keep the sun out on a hot day, but they also keep the cold out too. Drop your blinds if it’s windy or raining and you will create a snug space and keep your patio furniture dry and safe.Blinds also keep the heat in if you have a heater or fire pit burning away. Just remember to raise your blinds when the sun is shining, as sunlight will warm your patio up and keep any patio plants you have nice and healthy.

Gas Heaters

When it’s cold, nothing beats the warm glow of a heater. Gas patio heaters provide instant heat and are quite economical to run. A gas patio heater emits more than enough heat and you should have no problem staying warm and cosy on a cold winter’s day. Whilst gas heaters are a nice touch, don’t exclude the possibility of an electric heater. These are also cheap to buy, but they can cost more to run, so watch out if you leave your heater on for several hours.

Outdoor Kitchens

Outdoor cooking warms the body and soul. The great thing about installing an outdoor kitchen is that it actively encourages you to spend more time on your patio, whatever the weather. A fully-functional outdoor kitchen is a great idea if you love to entertain outdoors. Invest in a BBQ or pizza oven to cook al-fresco. Cooking outdoors also emits heat, which is handy if the weather has turned cold.If you want to go a step further, add a drinks’ cooler or wine rack. Alcohol does a fantastic job of warming us up and combined with a pizza oven or outdoor grill, we can have a lot of fun with friends!

Cosy Furniture

Mix and match your patio furniture for all-year-round comfort. In the summer, cool rattan furniture is perfect, but in winter, bring out the warm throws and blankets, plus some plush cushions and rugs. You are more likely to want to spend time on your patio if you can wrap up as snug as a bug in a rug. Don’t forget to add bespoke lighting and decoration to ensure your patio looks attractive whatever the weather.

John Chapman is the owner of First Choice Patios in Perth. www.firstchoicepatios.com.au