The winter wonderland

Just because it’s chilly doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy your outdoor area during winter. We spoke to leading outdoor furniture experts for some advice on how to explore different ways to create cosy outdoor spaces for entertaining during the cooler months.

Treating your outdoor space as if it is an indoor space is a good start to adding some warmth. Alon Sachs of Mobelli Furniture + Living details a few tips on how to get started:

Comfortable furniture pieces: Furniture that is comfortable and inviting is key in the cooler months. Choose versatile furniture pieces that are fully upholstered so that they will last you through the seasons. Look for pieces that will make you want to spend time outdoors even though it is chilly – furniture with comfortable cushions works well, such as lounge suites, daybeds, couches and hanging chairs.

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Add a rug: Rugs are a great way to bring in a warm and inviting atmosphere and they will keep your feet warm during the colder months. Rugs add texture and colour to the space, often setting the theme for the rest of your colour and style choices.

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Heat it up: An outdoor heater is a must for the colder months. It helps create an inviting atmosphere and keeps everyone warm, which in turn will have you and your guests spending more time outdoors.

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Top tip: Consider colour…

Maya Margalit of Garden & Roses Inspirational Outdoor Furniture suggests that by simply changing up your outdoor space you can easily make it more inviting in chilly weather. “For starters, you can update the colour of the walls to warmer colours; colours that irradiate red, yellow and orange as they evoke the sense of warmth,” she says. “This can be carried through to your furnishings. Opt for a mix of rich and bright scatter cushions as well as a fluffy throw, which will warm up the space.”

An imperative part of setting the mood, lighting is crucial to the design and aesthetic of the space. Margalit suggests: “Place spike torches around the yard and around the outdoor space; these torches will radiate warmth and lighten up the space naturally.” For added luxury, source outdoor candles to enhance the ambience, especially for a special event.