5 Ideas to Keep Your Porch Enjoyable During the Chilly Seasons

According to the University of Rochester Medical Center, indoor air can cause a wide range of health problems ranging from asthma to respiratory infections. While increasing the quality of your indoor air is important, it’s also imperative to enjoy plenty of time outdoors with fresh air. Even in chilly seasons, your porch can be a haven for outdoor relaxation.

Create a Wind Break

In many areas, it’s not that the cold air is the issue so much as the biting wind. You can create a wind break on your porch by installing a gorgeous glass partition or by planting evergreen privet. You can also use a privacy screen to shield you and your guests from errant gusts. Depending on the existing architecture and your local building codes, you could also build a decorative brick or stone wall to serve as a both a wind break and for other aspects of entertaining, such as a bar or a fireplace.

Install Comfortable Seating

All-weather seating and comfortable outdoor furniture is important for making the porch cozy no matter what. Avoid seating that holds the cold, such as stone, unless you cover it with generous weatherproof cushions and pillows. You may also want to consider installing deep seats so that your guests will feel comfortable leaning back and pulling their feet up from the cold ground.

Create Heat

A fire pit is both visually appealing and provides warmth for chilly hands. Some tables, like those offered by RST Brands, integrate a fire pit. You could also consider installing a fire pit made of native stone or bricks. If you reside in an area where wood in plentiful and inexpensive, wood fires are inviting and perfect for roasting snacks. Other options include fire glass or running a gas line to the porch.

Offer Guests Some Cover

A gracious host or hostess that entertains outside in chilly weather knows to keep a stock of fleece throws and toasty slippers on hand. For those who reside in very cold climates, fuzzy mittens, scarves and hats can also make your guests more comfortable. In your mud room or tucked under the eaves on the porch, fill a weatherproof box with such items. A cozy throw and a pair of booties to wear over their socks can make guests warm and happy to be entertained.

Provide Hot Drinks

A steaming cup of coffee or tea not only warms the stomach but also warms the hands of the person drinking it. By installing a hutch outside, you can offer hot drinks to your guests on the porch and enjoy the crisp weather. If you like a hot toddy now and again, keeping a bottle of your favorite whiskey, brandy or rum on hand is also a great idea.

Outdoor living is wonderful for your health and is a great option for entertaining. Whether snacking or enjoying a few drinks, your porch can be a gathering place for family and friends alike. If you live in an area that experiences colder weather, these tips will help you to create a warm, inviting space.