C’mon baby light my fire: Taking your outdoor space from summer to winter

Posted on 25 February, 2022

It’s been delightful recently for a bit of summer to finally show up, so we can all get outside and lap up that warmth. But as any true Canberran knows, it won’t hang around for long.

Just because it gets chilly, doesn’t mean we want to be outside any less. If you have a home with an outdoor space, whether it’s a pocket balcony or a sprawling backyard with manicured gardens, to truly live your best Canberra life you need to set your space up so you can get the most out of it through all four seasons.

Here are some ways to help update your outdoor space to make it somewhere you’ll want to use year-round, all available from local outdoor specialists Burning Log.

Warm up your space

The number one thing to add to your outdoor space to make it one of your favourite parts of the home come winter? An outdoor heater.

If you want one that keeps you seriously toasty but doesn’t take up much space, a slimline electric heater is compact and will attach to the wall. Want to make more of a statement? Who wouldn’t want to warm their extremities around a beautiful firepit?

Or why not go for a heater that’s part of the furniture? The beautiful Ecosmart Ethanol Tequila 50 Fire Table has enough space around the gentle flame to rest that hot chocolate or warming glass of red. Or for a particularly luxe look, the Ecosmart Ethanol Designer Fireplace Ghost is a stunner.

And make things cosy

Other than a heater, nothing quite warms up a space like blankets and cushions. Add a fluffy and thick throw or two, so it’s readily available to wrap around yourself when the chill creeps in.

Cushions also make your outdoor furniture more appealing to snuggle up in. Go for a tropical print to help you dream of warmer places you’d rather be.

Light it up

The cooler months also mean shorter days, so before you head off for the day and by the time you get home, it’s likely dark outside. Add a light source to your outdoor space to make it usable no matter the time of year. If you’ve added a firepit, that’ll add all the glow you need.

Another easy option? Hang some solar-powered fairy lights. They not only look great and add a gentle ambience to the space, they also require zero electricity and if you want, you can set them to automatically come on when the sun goes down.

Add a bit of shelter

In summer, a beautiful umbrella can provide a bit of shade and save your skin. In winter it can also help protect you—from the chill. A large timber one like this Sundial Umbrella will provide ample protection year-round, and will also make your space look great, or fold away easily as needed.

Got a tight space? A wall mount umbrella won’t get in the way, and you can move the canopy with the sun or the breeze to create protection where you need it.