Outdoor rooms can still be warm places in winter, according to a home expert.

Metricon interior designer Hannah Joosse says with a bit of imaginative thought and clever planning, outdoor rooms can move beyond being a summer space and become “the perfect location to base ourselves for the colder months’’.

Ms Joosse says householders can adapt their covered alfresco space for the winter months by taking a few simple steps such as adding a fireplace.

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“This adds warmth and also creates a focal point and feature for your outdoor space,” she says.

“If a full-sized fireplace is a bit out of your budget, adding things like a fire pit with built-in seating around as an extension of your outdoor space is a great idea for entertaining.”

The interior designer says seating for the outdoor space should go beyond sometimes uncomfortable timber benches.

“Investing in durable outdoor seating or a couch is a great way to make the room cosier in the chilly months,” she suggests.

“Play up outdoor furniture by layering accessories. Lots of cushions, throw rugs, over-sized floor cushions and rugs make the space warm and inviting in winter.”

The Metricon spokeswoman adds that lighting is another “great way to bring a warm ambience to your outdoor space”.

“Wall lights, pendants and garden lights create moody shadows and give the give the space an enchanting feel,’’ Ms Joosse says.

On a practical level, ceiling-mounted gas heaters can add warmth “without compromising on precious floor space”.

Ms Joosse suggests installing cooking devices can be more than useful in the colder periods.

“Adding things like pizza ovens, rotisseries and barbecues are great for cooking up a storm outdoors, especially in the colder months,’’ Ms Joosse says.
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