Have you been spending a lot of time in your yard this summer and fall? More homeowners have been upgrading and spending time outdoors since the pandemic began. As your Lake Martin real estate team, we’re here to share ways for you to make your backyard more user-friendly year-round, so even during colder/darker winter evenings, you can still enjoy spending time outdoors!
1. Add a heating source. To make your outdoor space more comfortable in the winter months, you need a heating source. This could be a fire pit on the cheaper end, or an outdoor fireplace on the more expensive end. Heating lamps are also a great way to add heat to a patio or deck. If you have an outdoor kitchen, cooking on your outdoor stove will heat up your space as well. Or, you could go a totally different route and add a hot tub to admire the stars from!
2. Add lighting. When it gets dark so much sooner, you need more light to extend your outdoor hours. You have lots of options when it comes to outdoor lighting. You could hang strings of patio lights, install permanent light fixtures to your home’s exterior, stick solar lights around walkways and patios, or set up some tiki torches, candles or lanterns that can be moved around with you.
3. Add comfort. In the fall and winter, you want to be cozy. You don’t want to be sitting on a cold metal chair! Add seat cushions, outdoor pillows and throw blankets to the space, so you and family members or guests can curl up with however many layers you desire. Wool blankets are best for regulating temperature and preventing moisture. Add throw rugs to warm up your feet. You could also add a built-in sound system, or cordless speakers, to add musical ambiance.
5. Add wind blockages. Nobody wants to be blown around outside during the winter. Some great wind blocking options include a privacy screen, which adds privacy and wind blockage to a side of your patio, curtains, which you can hang from a covered patio, gazebo or pergola, or a full structure, such as a shed or bonus room in the backyard. This could be decorated to be a cozy retreat from your house when need be.
These are all great ways to make your backyard more comfortable for use as the days get shorter and the temperatures get colder! We hope you can continue to enjoy your morning coffee and evening hot toddies outside, along with your gorgeous Lake Martin views.
Ready to sell and/or buy in the Lake Martin real estate market? The market is still hot this fall! Give us a call, the Haynie Team, with any questions you may have, or to get started on the home-selling and/or home-buying process. We are here and ready to help!
Becky Haynie, Associate Broker / Realtor
Lake Martin Realty
www.HomeOnLakeMartin.com