The Art of Outdoor Entertaining In Winter
Outdoor entertaining has been a blessing during the pandemic as it enables people to get together safely and maintain social distance while still being able to have fun. While this was easy to do in the summer, the winter months might not be as comfortable to hold outdoor gatherings. But don’t let that deter you from using your patio or lawn to entertain. I have listed a few ideas on how to prep your Denver patio for winter entertaining.
CARPETS, RUGS AND HEATED FLOORING
Lake View and Granite Round Woolen Rugs by Liora Manné
I love printed, abstract rugs, and a woolen outdoor rug is an easy way to add comfort and style to your outdoor sitting areas. For added warmth, place a plug-in, snow melting mat under the rugs. For concrete or asphalt floors, I would recommend installing a snow melting system in your patio–the type that is typically embedded into driveways and walkways–to keep it dry and warm.
HEATED OUTDOOR FURNITURE AND UPHOLSTERY
Helios Lounge and Kosmos Conversation Set by Galanter & Jones
This gorgeous bean-shaped settee can be plugged into an electrical outlet and give your guests a warm, cozy feeling even when you’re entertaining outdoors in the middle of a Denver winter. Outdoor, heated patio furniture can be customized according to style, design, and color, and they can be used to create unique outdoor spaces that combine style and practicality.
Ploov Cordless Heated Cushion
It doesn’t just stop at furniture: you can take the heat and style up a notch with elegant, heated accessories that enhance outdoor decor.
OUTDOOR FIREPLACES AND HEATERS
My team and I designed this patio and outdoor entertaining area to reflect the modern interiors that we created on the inside. The minimal fireplace, area rug, and cozy seating are perfect for intimate winter get-togethers, and they provide a seamless integration with the interior. And if the homeowners want to have a larger gathering, we equipped the patio with options for that too.
Some of our clients prefer the firepit experience, as it allows more exposure to the open flame and is more reminiscent of the joy of camping. You might have noticed that in the above project we included both a fireplace and a firepit.
Outdoor gatherings in winter aren’t just for big spaces either. Even a small patio can be equipped for an intimate winter gathering. In the above project, we created this cozy set-up and added a fire pit, which doubles-up as a table so that the space can be enjoyed and used in winter, too.
Patio Umbrella Heater by Lty
In addition to fireplaces and fire pits, umbrella heaters and dome heaters make for stylish tools to keep you warm while you’re entertaining outdoors in a Denver winter.
WARM ACCESSORIES
I see accessories as adding an artistic finishing touch to my design projects, but given my engineering background, I make sure that even a decorative accessory serves a practical function. In the project above, I used candles and warm cushions on organically shaped furniture to add an extra dose of style. Decorative candles, LED strips, and statement lamps are a great way to keep a space warm and add aesthetic value, too.
I hope these tips on keeping your patio warm during winter help you enjoy the festive season with friends and family. If you’re looking to renovate your patio or outdoor area and make it more winter-friendly, my team and I will be happy to help. The first step is to call our top-rated Denver interior design studio at 720-735-7533. We can then arrange to use FaceTime or Zoom for face-to-face video calls, allowing for a touch-free design and remodeling experience. Or, we can use masks and make it an in-person meeting.
Margarita Bravo
Denver’s Best Interior Designer
Margarita is a luxury interior designer and decorator, remodeler, furniture curator, and creator of experiences. Margarita’s unique skill set has evolved from her strong educational background and European and Latin American sources of inspiration. Now with design studios in Denver, Miami, and Montecito.
Margarita
