WINTER WONDERLAND

THERE’S NO NEED TO HIBERNATE WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPS, WITH THESE SNUG SPOTS DESIGNED TO HELP YOU EMBRACE OUTDOOR LIVING ALL YEAR LONG

Crisp air, shorter days, flickering candles and steaming mugs of tea: as winter descends, we often seek comfort and warmth within our homes, eschewing our outdoor lifestyles. But with a few design tweaks, our gardens and patios can be just as inviting in the cooler months. Think layers of lush fabrics, sumptuous seating and the bewitching glow of a fireplace. “The main thing when creating a zone for winter is making the space super-comfortable so you can stay out there for a lot longer,” says Matt Leacy, principal designer and director of Sydney’s Landart landscapers. Whether you’re relaxing solo or entertaining friends and family, take inspiration from these snug alfresco spaces and let the good times roll year round.

Snuggle & sway

Is there anywhere else you’d rather be than gently swaying in your garden hammock on a slow Sunday morning? “A hammock provides a different space away from the main outdoor area,” says garden designer Ben Scott, director of Ben Scott Garden Design. “Attach the hammock to a beautiful big existing tree or a pole to create a nice space where people can sit and read a book or even sleep,” he suggests. The key to creating comfort and warmth in any area exposed to the elements is layering an abundance of soft cushions, heavy throws, sheepskins and chunky blankets.

Alfresco affair

Position your outdoor dining setting within your garden to encourage guests to linger longer. “The placement of your furniture is important,” advises landscape designer Julia Levitt, director of Sticks & Stones. “Leaving a table and chairs in a large open space can feel cold and uninviting. Instead, surround your furniture with plants or hard elements to create a warm and welcoming environment.” Bring out luxe linen and soft furnishings to keep guests warm when you’re entertaining, whether for a light lunch or a barbecue under the stars. A glass of Barossa Valley shiraz won’t go astray, either. >

Take the chill off

Unwinding and connecting with friends and family around a dancing flame is a winning way to enjoy a fresh winter evening. Luckily, there’s a range of atmospheric heating options to suit every backyard and budget. “A firepit can be anywhere from $200 to $2000, depending on the supplier,” designer Ben explains, while front-loading chimineas are a charming alternative to save space and redirect smoke. For a built-in fireplace such as an outdoor chimney, “You’re starting at $15,000, because there are building, engineering and planning permits involved for those structures,” Ben says. For an alternative heating route, gas fires and heating pads are sophisticated solutions.

Timber temptation

“A FIREPLACE BECOMES A REALLY NICE SOCIAL SPACE TO HANG OUT WITH YOUR KIDS AND TOAST MARSHMALLOWS, OR DRINK WINE WITH FRIENDS” ~ MATT LEACY, DIRECTOR OF LANDART

“Timber is a beautiful choice to have in your space,” says Landart director Matt Leacy of the cost-effective material. “It definitely adds an element of warmth, whether it’s in bench seating or on the floor.” Paired with timber-framed bi-fold windows that introduce an indoor/ outdoor connection, in-built timber seating with bespoke upholstery is a perfect way to create a cosy corner outside. “A seat will generally be anywhere from 400 millimetres to 450 millimetres in height, with room to allow for cushions,” Ben says. “In terms of depth, the standard seat is about 500 millimetres, or 700 millimetres if you want it to become a deeper daybed.”

Golden hour

As the daylight hours draw in, adequate outdoor lighting is crucial for prolonging the time you can spend in your backyard. “Nice ambient mood lighting is more important than anything - it’s a cost-effective option to enhance any space,” says Matt, suggesting festoon lights and lanterns for a romantic glow in the garden. In structured spaces such as an enclosed lounge zone, opt for pendants or wall sconces in durable metals such as brass or copper as they will develop a beautiful patina rather than rust. When you’re searching for outdoor lights, look for a rating of IP65.

Foliage fever

To achieve visual warmth in outdoor living spaces, take colour cues from the surrounding landscape. “British racing green, bottle green and shades of brown” are landscape designer Julia’s go-to hues for creating a backyard retreat, emphasised through plants, wicker furniture and leafy prints on scatter cushions. “People are drawn to nature and tend to want to use a space more when it is greener,” shares Ben. “Luculias are a tall shrub that flower during winter, along with winter roses, hellebores and cyclamen. Daphne has an absolutely incredible fragrance – they fill the whole space with perfume,” he adds.

Sun trap

Soaked in sunshine, this pretty pergola (right) is the definition of an outdoor winter wonderland – sans snow. The sheltered haven is a soothing spot to escape for peace and privacy and made with Deco Slat’s aluminium slat system and finished in Deco Wood ‘Antique White’. “A comfortable ceiling height is around 2.3 metres; you want that light to come through in the winter months,” Matt advises. “But it’s what you put underneath that’s most important, making it feel warm and inviting.” Here, a hanging plant adds a welcome burst of greenery.

“YOU NEED CUSTOM CUSHIONS FOR BUILT-IN SEATS TO PROVIDE INSULATION AND COMFORT ON MATERIALS THAT GET QUITE COLD DURING WINTER, SUCH AS IN-SITU CONCRETE” ~ BEN SCOTT, DIRECTOR OF BEN SCOTT GARDEN DESIGN

For a beautiful balcony that feels like an extension of your interiors, steal living-room style. Ensure there are ample places to recline with eclectic hanging chairs or built-in seats, cosy rugs for comfort underfoot and suitable shelter from the weather. “Creating a protected space that still captures the winter sun is really important,” advises Matt. “Build a screen, wall or dense hedge to stop prevailing winds that might put you off sitting in that area.” On decks, outdoor roller blinds and versatile louvres are design-savvy options as they can be opened to invite in natural light or closed to block rain and chilly breezes.