Despite having to spend more time in our homes due to the recent announcements regarding COVID-19, it doesn't mean that we have to be cooped up inside all winter, we can still make good use of our gardens and outdoor spaces. Especially if you have a patio area to take advantage of. 

Now, we know what you're thinking. Who in their right mind wants to spend time outside during the winter when they can be warm and cost inside? Well, there are a whole host of advantages to being outside, especially with being stuck inside for so much of this year and you don't have to be cold! 

Here we provide some tips on how to stay warm on your patio this winter and extend the time that you spend outdoors. Read on to find out more.

Warming Up Your Patio 

Fire Pits 

When it comes to warming up your patio, fire pits have become one of the most popular outdoor fire features due to their low cost, simplicity and portability. Fire pits are traditionally designed to be kept fairly low to the ground, however, they can be built or purchased in many shapes and sizes with a range of materials. 

You can purchase different types of fire pit also. Wood-burning types are popular, but for a more environmentally-friendly option, you can choose pits fuelled by gas or propane. 

Purpose-Built Fireplace

If you have a little more time and budget on your hands, a custom-built fireplace in your garden is a perfect way to warm up your patio. An outdoor fireplace works just like an indoor one and really does create a living room outside. Add seating and a lowered table for a real homely feel. Materials range from metal, stone, brick and concrete and can be fuelled by other wood or gas. Be mindful of where exactly you place the fireplace, avoiding low-hanging trees, shrubs, hedges and nearby structures. Also, think about any potential smoke and the direction it may blow.

Portable Fireplace

For those of you who would love an outdoor fireplace but do not want to commit to getting one built, a portable fireplace may be just the thing for you. These are a particularly smart choice for smaller outdoor spaces or if you plan on moving your fireplace often. These can also be fuelled by wood, gas or propane.

Chimineas

A chiminea is an inexpensive fire feature that is often made out of clay or metal that is guaranteed to warm up your patio area, an ideal alternative to a fireplace. Their traditional design and appearance bode well for outdoor spaces that boast a similar look. Ensure the chiminea is sturdy and has a spark screen. Chimney extensions also help to vent the smoke whilst it burns on your patio.

Patio Lamps & Heaters

Patio heaters are another popular choice for many homeowners who want to bring some warmth to their garden. They are tall, do not take up much space and are fuelled by propane. An average patio heater can warm up an area of 15-25 square feet, so there'll be no worries about your outdoor space getting warm.

Heated Flooring 

You can spend more time outdoors thanks to radiant heating. Often associated with indoor floors, heated flooring is gaining popularity with outdoor surfaces also. These systems can be installed to warm up a number of surfaces including decking and patio and offer gardens a new aesthetic dimension not often seen.

These are just some of the ways that you can stay warm on your patio this winter! For more home and garden tips, be sure to keep an eye out on PrimaPorcelain's blog as well as our socials where we post regular updates. 

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If you're looking for a change of scenery and you think it's time to move house, then preparing your home properly can help you secure a quick sale. We've been working with homeowners to improve their indoor and outdoor spaces for years, so we know the positive impact that new flooring (or a new patio) can have. 

Competition is fierce on the housing market, so if you want your home to stand out you need to make sure it's clean and well presented. Here are a few things that we'd recommend you do before putting your house up for sale.

1. Clean and Tidy

People say that first impressions are everything and the first thing that people will notice when they come for a viewing is whether or not your house has been cleaned and looked after. General untidiness, dirt and grime can put someone off in a matter of seconds. To combat this, we'd recommend giving your house a thorough clean prior to any visits. This means:

• Packing away children's toys
• Putting shoes away in the cupboard
• Hoovering the floors and carpets
• Removing grubby fingerprints on windows

2. Fix and Replace

If you've been living in your home for more than a few years, there's bound to be a few things that need fixing and replacing. Whether it's something small like a faulty light switch or something more serious like a hole in the kitchen lino, investing in your home now will pay dividends when you come to sell it. 

Why not replace the old wooden deck in your garden with a chic, low maintenance patio? Or better yet, use our indoor/outdoor tiles to create a seamless transition between your home and garden. Using our modern porcelain paving to connect your home and garden will give the illusion of a bigger and more open living space which is sure to appeal to potential buyers. Plus, you (and the new owners) will benefit from a very low-maintenance space that will last for years to come - a worthwile investment indeed.

3. Kerb Appeal

So far, we've given you a few recommendations to improve your home and garden before you put your home up for sale, but we haven't discussed one of the most important factors - kerb appeal.

Kerb appeal is the way that your home looks from the street and is the very first thing that potential buyers will see whether they're driving past your home, or looking at the listing online. Spending a bit of time to improve the way the front of your home looks can help you attract more buyers. To improve your home's kerb appeal, we'd suggest:

• Painting fences and gates
• Neatening up the lawn and any outdoor plants/bushes
• Installing a new path/walkway (or cleaning up the existing one)
• Giving your front door a clean/new lick of paint

Can I move house during the coronavirus pandemic?

For most people, it is still perfectly possible to move home despite the current challenges of COVID-19. The main changes we've seen so far effect the way that house viewings and moving days work. 

Wherever possible, house viewings should take place via video, this limits the exposure that potential buyers and homeowners have with one another. If an 'in-person' house viewing does take place, the government are advising that the house is thoroughly cleaned before and after the viewing and that homeowners vacate during the viewing if possible.

On moving day, you are advised to disinfect your belongings (especially if a third party removal company are going to be helping you). When removal workers are in your home, you should stick to social distance guidelines wherever possible and wash your hands regularly. 

If either you or anyone involved in the transaction come down with COVID-19 symptoms, it's vital that you self isolate. This can, of course, slow down the house moving process but it's important for all parties that the move happens safely. 

You can read the in-depth government guidelines here. 

If you're thinking about selling your home and you want to install PrimaPorcelain paving as part of your preparations - don't hesistate to get in touch. 

Nothing brightens our day more than receiving a beautiful photo of a PrimaPorcelain customer's brand new patio.

The picture above was taken by a Mr White, who used our 20mm Travertine Cream paving to create an exquisite and unique patio design in his back garden.

We especially love the hexagonal insert that this customer included in his patio design. Very unique!

The patio's smoothly curving edges are another treat for the eyes.

Here's what Mr White had to say about the service we provided:

"Communicating with PrimaPorcelain was easy and my delivery was on time. I'm very pleased with the quality and finish of the porcelain, and with the patio's overall appearance."

If you've got a unique patio design in mind, our low-maintenance porcelain paving slabs are the perfect material for the job. PrimaPorcelain tiles come in all sorts of gorgeous colours and designs, and they're durable enough to last for years no matter what the weather has to say about it.

Browse our range and order your FREE samples!

Adding potted plants to your patio is a great way to bring your outdoor space to life. Sure, most plants are at their best during the spring and summer months, but that doesn't mean your patio should look bare through the autumn and winter months. If you're lucky, some of your spring/summer bloomers will continue to produce flowers as we head into the colder seasons, but most flowers will die back within a matter of weeks.

If you're looking for some patio plant suggestions that will look good through autumn and winter, look no further. We've rounded up a selection of our favourite autumn patio plants so that you can enjoy your patio all year round. 

Don't forget to check out our wide range of porcelain paving if you want to add a new patio to your home for winter!

Shop Porcelain Paving Now >

Autumn Flowers

Looking at pretty flowers can trigger chemicals in your brain like dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin (otherwise known as the happy chemicals). Looking at flowers can make you feel less depressed and anxious, so there's a real mental health benefit if you can encourage some flowers to grow on your patio this autumn.

Hardy Fuchsia

Looking for something that will add an instant pop of colour to your patio? The hardy fuchsia (or fuchsia magellanica) are known for their gorgeous 'ballerina' flowers which are capable of surviving throughout the autumn and the winter. 

Amaranthus

With tassle-like flowers, amaranthus species are a great option if you're looking for a more unusual patio plant. These flowers bloom in autumn and stick around for a few weeks into winter. When cut, they can be used in gorgeous autumnal flower arrangements. 

Cosmos

One of our all-time favourite autumn patio plants is cosmos! Blooming from spring right up until the first frost of the year, these delicate flowers are sure to put a smile on anyone's face. At the end of the season, cosmos will die back, self-seed and create even more beautiful blooms in your garden for the following year!

Autumn Herbs

Another great way to bring your patio to live during the autumn and winter months is to add a herb garden. Unlike most flowers, herbs are hardy enough to withstand the pressure of autumn and winter - plus they can be very helpful in the kitchen. Summer herbs like basil and chives won't make it through the winter, so it's important that you harvest these before the first frost. 

Herbs that will last well through autumn and into winter include sage, bay leaves, rosemary and thyme. It's no surprise that these are often additions in our favourite autumn/winter meals. Creating a herb garden on your patio is really easy and you can enjoy the fruits of your labour all year round.

We hope that this gives you a few autumn patio plant ideas. A quick reminder that the clocks go back on Sunday 25th October, giving us an all-important extra hour in the day. Perhaps you could utilise this to give your patio planters some TLC!

Thinking about redesigning your back garden, but don't want to deal with a lawn? If so, you've come to the right place!

Here we have a few no-grass garden ideas that are sure to make a statement and impress your guests. From decks and patios to pools and flowerbeds, there are many ways to add some much-needed life and va-va-voom to your outdoor space without so much as a single blade of grass!

So, let's take a look at what options are available to you...

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