1. Keep Your Patio Warm in Winter with the Right Heater

A patio heater is the easiest way to keep your patio warm in winter. The choice between propane and electric depends on your space:

Compare models, output and safety features in our patio heater buying guide.

Patio heater safety

Good patio heater safety starts with the manual of your own model. The main rules:

• Use propane heaters outdoors only, never inside a house, garage, tent or other enclosed space: they produce carbon monoxide.
• Keep the clearances in the manual. One propane heater manual, as an example, asks for 36 inches above and 24 inches to the sides from anything that can burn.
• Do not use a heater in strong wind; the same manual sets a limit of 10 mph. Wind can blow out the flame or tip over a tower heater.
• Place the heater on a flat, stable surface, away from walkways where people could bump into it.
• Turn off the gas at the cylinder after use and store propane cylinders outdoors, never indoors or in a garage.

2. Gather Around a Fire Pit: Fire Pit Safety First

A fire pit gives warmth and atmosphere at the same time. Fire pit safety comes first:

• Keep fire pits, chimineas and outdoor fireplaces at least 10 feet from your home and anything that can burn, as the U.S. Fire Administration advises. Many local codes require 15 to 25 feet, so check your city or county rules.
• Place the fire pit on a non-combustible surface, such as pavers or gravel, and use a spark screen.
• Burn only dry, seasoned hardwood, keep a fire extinguisher or garden hose nearby, and never leave the fire unattended.
• Let ashes cool completely and store them in a metal container with a lid.

3. Block the Wind

Blocking the wind is one of the cheapest ways to keep your patio warm in winter. Wind makes a patio feel much colder than the thermometer suggests, and it reduces the effect of any heater. Useful options:

• Outdoor curtains or roll-down shades on a pergola or covered patio
• Freestanding privacy screens or tall planters with evergreens
• An awning or pergola roof to keep out rain and snow
• Place seating against the house wall, which also holds some warmth from the sun

Partly enclosing a space does not make it safe for propane or wood fires. Keep enough open sides for ventilation and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

4. Add Warm Lighting

Winter evenings start early, so lighting sets the mood on your patio. Warm-white string lights, lanterns and a few spotlights on plants make the space feel inviting.

• Use lights and extension cords marked for outdoor use.
• Plug into a GFCI-protected outlet, or use a portable GFCI adapter.
• Check cords for damage before each season and keep connections off wet ground.
• Looking for long, warm-white strings or smart lights? See our outdoor Christmas lights guide; many of those sets work well on a patio all winter.

5. Layer Outdoor Rugs, Blankets and Cushions

Textiles are among the easiest winter patio ideas to put into practice, and they instantly make the space feel warmer.

• An outdoor rug makes a cold patio floor feel warmer underfoot.
• Keep a basket of washable throws or outdoor blankets within reach.
• Use weather-resistant cushions and store them in a deck box when you are not using them.
• Choose warm colors and natural textures to make the space feel cozy, even in gray weather.

6. Plan for Warm Food and Drinks

Hot drinks and simple food keep people outside longer. A thermos or insulated carafe of coffee, tea or hot chocolate works well, and a grill or outdoor pizza oven makes winter gatherings feel special. Keep cooking equipment at the distance its manual requires from walls and overhangs.

7. Protect Your Patio from Snow and Ice

Winter use also means winter care for your paving and furniture:

• Shovel first, and use deicer only to loosen what is left. A plastic shovel or a blade cover prevents scratches on pavers.
• Choose deicer carefully: avoid products with ammonium nitrate or ammonium sulfate, which damage concrete. Calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) is gentler on plants and paving, although more expensive.
• Furniture: clean and dry it, then store it or use breathable covers. Plastic covers trap moisture and cause mold.
• Plants in pots: move frost-sensitive containers against the house or under cover.

Getting the rest of the garden ready too? Follow our fall checklist to winterize your garden.

Winter Patio Ideas for Small Spaces and Balconies

• Electric infrared heater: on a covered balcony or small patio, an outdoor-rated electric heater is often the only practical option, because propane heaters need open air and larger clearances.
• Wall-mounted or tabletop heat: saves floor space; check the clearances to the ceiling and walls in the manual.
• Warm lighting along the railing: a strand of outdoor-rated string lights makes a small space feel bigger and cozier.
• Foldable furniture and a storage bench: quick to set up on a mild day and easy to store cushions in.
• Check the rules: many apartment buildings and HOAs restrict open flames and propane on balconies, so read your building rules first.

Plants That Look Good on a Winter Patio

Plants keep a patio looking alive when the flowers are gone. Good choices for winter interest in containers include:

• Dwarf conifers and boxwood for year-round green structure
• Holly and winterberry for red berries
• Ornamental grasses left standing for texture and movement
• Heuchera and hellebores for foliage and late-winter flowers in milder regions

Roots in pots are more exposed to cold than roots in the ground. Choose plants that are hardy to at least one or two zones colder than your area, and group the pots against a sheltered wall. Our guide to winterize your garden explains how to protect container plants.

Winter Patio Safety Checklist

• Use propane heaters, fire pits and grills outdoors only, never in a garage, tent or enclosed porch.
• Keep fire pits at least 10 feet from the house and anything that can burn, or more if your local code requires it.
• Follow the clearances in each heater manual and do not use heaters in strong wind.
• Keep a fire extinguisher within reach and never leave a fire or heater unattended.
• Use outdoor-rated extension cords and lights on a GFCI-protected outlet.
• Clear snow and ice from steps and walkways, and use a paver-safe deicer.
• Install a carbon monoxide alarm inside the house near doors that open onto the patio.

Frequently Asked Questions