The 9 Best Options for Heating Your Outdoor Patio

Having friends and family members over to hangout on the patio is great summertime fun. But what about during the colder months? It isn’t exactly pleasurable to socialize outdoors when the weather is way too chilly. Doing everything you can to make sure your patio is comfortable for winter makes a lot of sense, especially if you’ve decorated for the holidays! Fortunately, there are several ways you can keep your outdoor patio heated and comfortable. Check out these nine best options, some of which are more cost-effective than others.

Wood Burning Fireplace

Building a wood burning fireplace on your outdoor patio is a great option, depending on your needs. If you don’t have a lot of space to work with, don’t stress. Smaller wood burning fireplaces can still provide an ample amount of heat. Building a wood burning fireplace to match your decor is also easy to accomplish. For example, if all of your tables and chairs are made out of a dark black ceramic material, your wood burning fireplace can be built with a material that looks exactly the same. As long as you’re able to keep fresh chopped wood on deck for your wood burning fireplace, this is a great way to keep your outdoor patio comfortably heated.

Fire Pit

A fire pit is a lot different than a wood burning fireplace, since it’s an actual pit built into the ground. Fire pits are considered some of the most popular outdoor heating options. They can use either gas or wood, depending on the model. Make sure the pit is the right height for your chairs so you and your loved ones can make s’mores without having to hover or stand. Fire pits can be designed in different sizes and shapes, though they are usually round. Keep in mind that small children and pets need to be supervised around fire pits.

Propane Patio Heater

Propane patio heaters, which run off propane tanks, truly simplify keeping your patio warm. The only inconvenience is making sure the propane tank is always full. As soon as it runs out of propane, it will no longer emit warmth. The good news is that they come in an abundance of colors, shapes, and sizes. A propane heater can even add to your overall ambiance. Plenty of restaurants use propane heaters to keep their outdoor diners toasty during cold seasons.

Fire Torches

You might think fire torches are only for Tiki parties or Hawaiian-themed events. However, fire torches can be used for just about any reason, even when you’re not hosting a tropical get-together. These “oversized candles” can easily be tucked into the soft ground outdoors. Since they’re so reminiscent of Hawaiian gatherings, fire torches create a festive vibe, particularly if you’re near the coast. Since torches don’t usually have any coverage to protect your hands or body from the flames, you’ll have to be extra careful when choosing where to place them.

Hot Tub

Relaxing in a hot tub to “thaw” your fingers and toes is common practice for people who live in colder climates. During the winter season, relaxing in a hot tub is one of the most pleasurable ways to kick back. There’s a reason every cozy Airbnb worth its salt features a hot tub! These amazing tubs can be heated up to more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Even if it’s snowing, you’ll still be toasty warm.

Heated Floors

If you have the finances, acquiring heated floors for your patio is a wonderful way to keep warm during colder seasons. Unfortunately, it’s not exactly easy to install heated floors. This means that even the DIY-lovers of the world won’t be able to make this dream come true on their own. Heated floors typically need to be installed by professionals who know how to manage complicated systems. However, once the job is done, these remarkable floors are powerful enough to melt snow and ice, and they prevent surfaces from becoming too slippery.

Heated Furniture

The same way heated flooring will greatly benefit you and your patio, heated furniture can make a difference as well. Lounging in the couches and chairs around your patio will be much nicer if it’s possible to crank up the heat when it’s cold outside. Some of the heated furniture you’ll find offer ergonomic curves and durable legs. However, heated furniture is often way more expensive than regular furniture. At Galanter & Jones, a medium-sized outdoor lounge chair goes for $6,200. But once you make the investment, you can depend on high-level quality and weather-resistant comfort as a trade-off.

Tabletop Heat Lamps

Heat lamps that are small enough to sit on top of your patio tables are reliable, budget-friendly options. One of the biggest benefits of using tabletop heat lamps is that they’re portable. This means you can use them on your patio on Friday night, before taking them to the beach with you on Saturday. Plus, since they’re small, they don’t create much of an obstruction. Their locations can be adjusted based on where you and your loved ones are sitting, so you won’t feel stuck socializing in one corner of your patio.

Heated Patio Tent Cover

Why not drape your entire patio with a heated tent cover in order to stay as warm as possible? This is a fabulous idea for folks who prefer spending time outdoors without battling frosty winds. A heated patio tent cover blocks cold winds from entering while trapping warmth inside. These covers function properly thanks to industrial electric heaters that are attached to them from the outside.