15 Winter Garden Design Ideas

Posted on 19th October 2024 | Posted in Home & Garden

15 Winter Garden Design Ideas

When summer comes to an end and the days start getting colder and shorter, it’s natural to feel a bit gloomy. However, your garden can still be a wonderful space to enjoy throughout the winter months. With the right design elements and planning, you can create an inviting outdoor sanctuary.

When the BBQ and paddling pool have been packed away, it’s time to get creative and discover new ways to embrace outdoor living, from creating cosy spaces to supporting local wildlife.

Here are 15 winter garden design ideas to help you make the most of your outdoor space:

1. Patio heaters

Transform your outdoor seating area into a cosy retreat with patio heaters. Available in various sizes to suit different spaces, from compact to large, they mean you can enjoy your garden even on chilly days. They’re perfect for winter entertaining or just enjoying a morning coffee in the fresh air.

2. Solar lights

Illuminate your winter garden with solar-powered lighting. Garden lamps and lighting are perfect for decorating your space and making it appealing at night. These eco-friendly options store energy from the sun and are completely free to run. They’re great for placing along pathways or creating a cosy, all-day seating area.

3. Firepit

There’s something magical about gathering around a firepit on a crisp winter evening. Modern firepits come in various styles, from sleek chimneys to traditional bowls, and many even double as a BBQ for summer use. They create an instant focal point and provide both warmth and a cosy atmosphere.

4. Carports

Protect your vehicles and create a versatile covered space with a carport. Beyond offering protection for your car in poor weather, they can double up as practical areas for hanging washing and storing any items that need to stay dry through the winter months.

5. Window boxes

Add a dash of winter colour to your home’s exterior with floral window boxes. Plants like pansies and cyclamen flower through the winter and are great for adding colour before the bulbs come up in spring. They create eye-catching displays that can help brighten up even the greyest of winter days. See more winter flowering plants in this article from Country Living.

6. Storage

When winter approaches, it’s time to pack away summer furniture, outdoor cushions and anything that won’t stand up to cold temperatures and wet weather. A well-chosen storage solution, whether it’s a compact shed or outdoor storage unit, keeps your garden furniture and tools well protected and means you maintain a tidy, organised garden through the colder months.

7. Festive decorations

Giving your garden a makeover with festive decorations adds some cheer to your garden and makes it an inviting, atmospheric space. While Christmas decorations bring seasonal cheer, consider options that work throughout the winter months and beyond. Outdoor fairy lights woven through trees or along fencing instantly uplift a space and bring your garden to life after dark.

8. Evergreen shrubs

When your plant’s leaves drop and the perennial plants die back, evergreen shrubs become the backbone of your winter garden. These reliable plants prevent your garden from feeling sparse, inject a bit of greenery back into your garden and add structure. Many are very low maintenance too. See 17 of the best evergreen shrubs from Gardener’s World.

9. Glass verandas

An elegant alternative to conservatories, glass verandas create a seamless connection between your home and garden and can be used all year round in good conditions. These versatile structures offer more than just shelter – they’re ideal for winter entertaining, creating a cosy plant haven, using as a spot for lounging and reading or even outdoor dining.

10. Hedgehog habitat

The British hedgehog population is under increasing threat due to shrinking habitats and increased road traffic. Why not turn your garden into a sanctuary for a hedgehog family? Creating a dedicated wild corner, securing your pond edges and creating links to other gardens are some of the simple things you can do that make a difference to local wildlife. Get more information in this guide from the RSPCA. 

11. Feed the birds

Turn your winter garden into an inviting space for wild birds with thoughtfully positioned feeding stations. Beyond basic bird tables and fat balls, consider offering a variety of foods to attract different species. Adding a birdbath also helps garden birds and creates charming wildlife viewing opportunities from the comfort of your home.

12. Candle holders

Add warmth and ambience to winter evenings with outdoor candles. Candle lanterns and holders are a beautiful addition to a garden and create intimate spaces for entertainment or quiet relaxation. Position them along pathways, around seating areas or clustered in groups to create an inviting winter garden feature.

13. Greenhouse

A greenhouse is a great investment that opens endless opportunities for winter gardening enthusiasts. They protect vulnerable plants from frost and allow you to continue growing a wide range of vegetables through winter, so you can maintain a productive garden all year round. Even a modest greenhouse can dramatically extend your growing season.

14. Pizza oven

Modern pizza ovens have revolutionised winter entertaining – and the good news is, as they’ve risen in popularity, they’ve become more accessible. There are lots of affordable portable options available, fuelled by pellets that give that authentic wood-fired flavour. They’re perfect for creating gathering spots in your winter garden and can cook far more than just pizzas, so you can enjoy getting creative.

15. Hot tub

While a hot tub might seem like a luxury, it can change how you use your garden in winter. When properly positioned and sheltered, like under a glass veranda, they create a relaxing retreat for enjoying outdoor space even on cold days. There are even more affordable options available, like inflatable hot tubs, that offer the same experience at a fraction of the cost.

How to make your garden look good in winter

Creating an attractive winter garden is all about the right planning. The key is to work with the season rather than against it. Here are some top tips on how to make your garden look good in winter:

• Create contrast: Mix different types of plants with a range of colours and textures to keep visual interest.
• Install lighting: Strategic lighting highlights the best features of your garden and creates atmosphere.
• Keep up with maintenance: Winter isn’t an excuse to let your garden get messy! Keep paths and borders well defined and maintain clean lines throughout your space.

How to make your garden warmer in winter

When the temperature drops, it doesn’t mean you have to head indoors. You can transform your winter garden into a cosy retreat with some practical solutions:

• Block wind: Use screening, hedging, plants or thoughtful placement of structures to block wind and create warmer spaces.
• Create sun traps: Position any seating areas to ensure they catch the maximum amount of winter sunshine.
• Add shelter: Consider installing a glass veranda or canopy to shelter your space from the elements and create a cosy area.
• Use heating: Combine different heat sources like patio heaters and firepits.

Plants for winter gardens

When it comes to plants for winter gardens, the options are more varied than you might think. From winter container plants to flowering varieties that bloom even in the coldest months, there are plenty of choices to keep your garden looking vibrant.

Winter container plants

Brighten up your winter plant pots and containers with these great choices:

• Winter flowering pansies – for reliable colour all winter
• Cyclamen – perfect for more shaded areas
• Winter flowering heather – adds structure and colour
• Skimmia japonica ‘Rubella’ – evergreens with red buds
• Common ivy – for trailing interest
• Gaultheria mucronate – produces bright berries

Winter plants that flower

Choose these winter plants that flower to bring some colour to your winter garden on darker days:

• Christmas Rose – blooms from December
• Winter jasmine – pretty yellow flowers
• Witch hazel – for fragrant blooms
• Common snowdrops – adds a delicate finish
• Viburnum tinus – clusters of pink-white flowers

Plants to plant in winter – UK

Winter is ideal for planting these varieties in British gardens:

• Spring-flowering bulbs
• Native hedge plants
• Fruit trees
• Winter vegetables (broad beans, garlic)
• Evergreen shrubs
• Bare-root roses

Care tips for winter plants

Taking care of your garden in winter doesn’t have to be complicated. Follow these tips to keep your plants healthy and vibrant through the colder months:

• Choose hardy varieties: Make sure you’re choosing the right plants for British winters. Look for plants with RHS hardiness ratings of H4 or above, which can handle low temperatures.
• Get drainage right: Wetness can be more damaging than cold in winter gardens. Always use well-draining compost in containers, raise pots off the ground to prevent waterlogging and regularly check that the drainage holes aren’t blocked.
• Create shelter: Group containers together and place them near walls for shelter. If the weather is severe, consider moving plants to a greenhouse or an extra sheltered place, like beneath a canopy or veranda.
• Water wisely: Never water when soil is frozen. Ideally, water winter plants in the morning so they can absorb moisture before the evening frost. Check pots regularly, especially those under shelter that might miss rainfall.

We hope you’ve enjoyed looking at these winter garden design ideas and you’ve been inspired for your own home. Are you interested in creating shelter for entertaining at home? Find out about glass verandas and patio canopies for your garden.