We all enjoy time outside taking in the sensations of nature. But there are times when that can be a real challenge; as summer ends and colder wet weather arrives, the outdoors can become less inviting. Then, when winter brings snow and ice, you probably just want to curl up inside with a warm drink in your favorite chair. Even in the summer, there are days when it’s just too hot to spend much time outside, making you want to retreat to the cool of an air-conditioned room. So what can you do to ensure you keep enjoying nature, even when the elements seem to be against you? Read on for five creative ideas to do just that!
Space Heaters
Spending time on the patio is one of the best parts of summer, and you might not want to let go of the experience when the weather starts to turn cooler. A great way to carry on using your patio is to purchase an outdoor space heater. In the past, these were inefficient appliances, but technology has moved on, and you can heat your patio nicely without breaking the bank. Outdoor space heaters come in three main types. These are:
- Gas Patio Heaters. These are available in a range of styles and designs, so you can pick them to match your decor as a wall heater, parasol heater or heating lamp.
- Electric patio heaters. This type of heater is very versatile and can direct the heat where you want it, as well as being easy to control. Some even come with sensors, so they switch on when you walk out onto your patio.
- Solid fuel heaters. These come in the form of fire pits or log burners. They look amazing but aren’t as easy to control as electric or gas heaters.
Of course, the heater won’t keep out the worst of the kind or rain. For that, you need some retractable screens, which we will discuss later in this article.
Add Some House Plants
You don’t have to limit your plants to your garden; there are lots of houseplants that can bring greenery into your home, as well as colorful flowers. In addition, there are many plants that improve the air quality in your home. If you want some functionality, too, why not add a small herb garden to your kitchen? As well as improving the taste of your meals, herbs smell great and brighten up the room. If you want something that’s easy to look after, you can always get ferns, peace lilies or spider plants, which also all do well in rooms with less light.
Exercise Outside
If it’s too cold to sit on the patio, you can always warm yourself up with a bit of exercise. If you have kids, a kickaround with a soccer ball is fun for all the family and will warm you up nicely, as well as being an excellent way to keep fit. Installing a basketball hoop is another great way to engage all the family. If exercise by yourself is more your thing, you can put in some bars to do pullups, do pushups on the patio or even bring your weights outside.
Nature Decor
Even if you don’t have a green thumb or time to look after plants, there are other ways to bring nature into your home. Natural materials such as wood or stone bring a sense of the outdoors into any room. If it suits your style, you can decorate your kitchen cupboards with images of flowers and plant life. Art is another way to bring nature into your home; pictures of landscapes are popular, as are works showing vases of flowers or garden scenes. Finally, if you want plants without the need to care for them, artificial flowers and plants are much easier to care for, only needing a quick dust every now and then.
MotionScreen™ Motorized Retractable Screens
If you really want to carry on enjoying the patio without being subjected to the elements, Palm Beach Enclosures’ MotionScreen™ motorized retractable screens are the way to go. The screen mesh will keep the wind and rain at bay and trap heat and should the weather change quickly, you can raise or lower them at the touch of a button. On cooler days, you can always add a space heater and continue enjoying your patio.
Our screens are manufactured in Plano, Texas from the best materials and custom-made to suit your space. This is also backed up with a Limited Lifetime Warranty, and you can choose from one of seven colors to suit your style. If this sounds like a great idea to you, contact us today for a free, no-obligation estimate.