How to enjoy your home's outdoor spaces year-round
State Point

New innovations make outdoor rooms and patios usable in cooler weather. (Photo courtesy of State Point)

Judith Thibaut Stewart begins the day on her patio with a cup of coffee and an English muffin. When she counsels her clients by phone, the sound of an outdoor fountain trickles in the background, not buzzing phone lines or the chatter of co-workers. And after dinner under the cabana, she and her husband Tim project movies on an outdoor screen and relax under the stars.

"We don't consider our outdoor space as separate from the actual house. Our lifestyle is one of seamless indoor/outdoor living - regardless of what we are doing and what the weather is like," said Stewart.

The Stewarts are not alone. According to a survey conducted by the Propane Education & Research Council, fifty percent of respondents noted that they are spending more time at home than they were five years ago, and the second most popular entertainment space is outside. Accordingly, the American Institute of Architects has reported an increase in demand for outdoor kitchens, patios, and decks.

But what happens when the weather gets cooler?

Homeowners are turning to new innovations to make extended use of outdoor living spaces virtually year-round.

Katherine Whiteside, a home and garden expert, built her outdoor room specifically to use for fall gatherings. "Nowadays, outdoor rooms possess a certain level of sophistication," says Whiteside. "No matter what the season, an outdoor living space gives you freedom to relax or entertain with two kitchens and two fabulous gathering spots."

Outdoor enthusiasts can give thanks to head-to-toe portable propane patio heaters, wind-resistant gaslights, fire pits, and bar-height tables with built-in heaters. Permanent solutions include radiant heating installed under decks and concrete patios add constant warmth to indooroutdoor rooms.

Whiteside offers the following tips for extending the use of outdoor spaces through cooler seasons:

• Banish the Chills. Ever been to a picnic where you wanted to whip off the tablecloth and wrap yourself up? Nothing ruins time outside - especially outdoor entertaining - faster than the cold. Propane tabletop heaters are only two feet tall but heat five feet in diameter. That's enough to comfortably warm a dinner table seating four to six people. A propane patio heater by the grill can keep cooks warm on chilly nights. Installing radiant heat on a converted patio affords cozy warmth and smooth transitions from indoors to outdoors.

• Keep on Cooking. These days, outdoor spaces are an extension of indoor kitchens. Many grills come with a wide range of accessories such as woks and rotisseries that make creating appetizers and main courses a snap.

• Create a Comfortable Glow. Well-placed lighting offsets shorter days and darker nights while newer gas lamps add ambiance and visual effect. Uplighting a tree or using gas post lights to show off plantings creates a background focal point.

For homeowners with an active interest in their home's aesthetics, propane tanks are finding a new home underground. An increasingly popular alternative to the traditional above ground tank, these tanks are not visible, nor do they take up lawn space, providing a constant - and hidden - source of fuel for multiple appliances.

Moreover, outdoor rooms can do more than simply provide a great escape for entertainment and relaxation - they can boost the value of your home. Professionals have reported to the Home Lifestyle Report journal that multi-season outdoor rooms may increase property values by 30 percent.

"For us, it's not enough to use our outdoor room strictly during the summer," says Stewart. "It makes such a difference to be able to be outdoors during the cooler months rather than retreating inside once the temperature drops."

For more tips about creating or updating your outdoor living space, visit www.usepropane. com.