The benefits to our health and wellbeing of getting outside and enjoying fresh air are well documented. Yet a survey of over 1000 adults found that, for many of us, a shocking 92% of our time is spent indoors.

Yikes! That means during an average week just 8% of time is spent outside – and it gets worse in winter!

But it doesn’t have to.

Summer may be fading but you don’t need to say goodbye to sitting out on your decking and enjoying the garden.

Thanks to its clever slip-resistant surface, with composite decking (and a few clever tips) you can enjoy being outside whatever the weather – without breaking your neck, ruining the grass, or getting mud everywhere!

Want to know how? Read on for clever hacks on how to season-proof your decking and maximise your enjoyment all year round.

#1 Keep furniture out

If you WFH with no daily commute or lunchtime stroll for a sandwich, it’s even more important to make opportunities to get outside. And what better way than to wrap up and take a hearty bowl of warming soup outside to your patio table?

So, when it comes to the end of summer, don’t pack away your table and chairs – leave them out. This will encourage you to make the most of every opportunity to sit outside and enjoy your privacy with composite fencing panels.

Top tip: As with wooden decking, wooden garden furniture can suffer if it’s exposed to the elements all winter. So why not maximise the benefits of composite decking and build a seating or dining area using composite decking boards?

#2 Add shelter

The biggest dampener on sitting out in the cooler months?

Rain.

Yep, there’s no getting away from it. Wrapping up with blankets and scarves has a certain romance about it – soggy socks, not so much.

So, one of the best ways to increase the usability of decking is to create shelter. And there are several ways to do this.

Firstly, you can use composite boards themselves to create a fully waterproof roof. This will have the benefit of matching in with the rest of the area, being secure and completely weatherproof.

Other alternatives include fitting a glass canopy from the house, putting up a gazebo, or tying up a strip of plastic awning (although admittedly the latter two can be problematic if the wind gets up).

And the best part of creating shelter? Not only will this keep you dry in winter, it will also offer respite from the sun during warmer months.

#3 Add a fire pit

Creating designated zones is a great idea in the garden and something we regularly champion here at Modern Garden, but whilst many people think this is only useful for summer – a BBQ area, a spot for sunbathing, or an area for the kids to put the paddling pool and play – they can be really useful during other seasons, too.

One area that’s ideal for year-round enjoyment? The firepit. Perfect for adding a romantic charm to late summer evenings but also a great way to take the chill out of a winter’s day.

Not only do firepits add an attractive focal point, they’re also a source of warmth and light – making them a fabulous feature in winter. Toasted marshmallow anyone?

#4 Add lighting

With fewer daylight hours, the prospect of sitting outside in the gloom is unlikely to hold much appeal.

So brighten things up!

Fitting a sensor light to illuminate the space as soon as you set foot outside is ideal, although check for one that stays on for a decent amount of time, or you’ll likely get frustrated with having to wave your arms about every 2 minutes to turn the light back on once you’ve sat down.

Other alternatives include solar-powered lights that will power up during the day and shine into the evening or outdoor fairy lights, which can add a magical glow.

#5 Add storage

If you’re going to spend time outside, it needs to be convenient (and comfortable!) or you just won’t bother. Keeping things like chair cushions and blankets readily to hand is a good idea.

But where do you store them?

We’re glad you asked.

The ideal solution here is to create a small storage space outside – if you take our earlier idea of building seating out of composite boards, then you could include clever storage beneath the seat.

If outside storage isn’t possible, an attractive basket at the back door to hold all the essentials can work too. The key is to make sure items are easily grabbable.

#6 Add colour

Gardens don’t thrive in winter the same, but with a little savvy planting, there’s no reason they can’t still look attractive and offer colour.

Try planting up a few decorative pots with pansies or winter flowering heather. Or, if you’d prefer not to have to replant each season, invest in evergreen shrubs. Pick out a few more unusual options – evergreens don’t have to be green – to brighten things up. Blue spruce and yellow or gold conifers offer variation and are easy to look after.

Talk to the team

Want to enjoy your outside space all year round? Then if you haven’t already made the switch to composite decking, now’s the time!

To find out more or to place an order, view our composite decking range collection. Or for more inspiration and ideas, talk to the team.

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