23 Stylish Winter Garden Ideas for UK Homes
Colder seasons bring many beautiful sights to gardens across the country. The autumn trees' orange, brown, and purple hues begin to give way to frost and snow balancing on tree branches. Snow gives way to sunny days with dancing icicles and visiting red robins.
In gardens around the UK, we tend to see wintertime as hibernation season for our outside space, but around the world in icy climates, we see many examples of how to bring our gardens to life and enjoy them all year round.
With creativity, lighting, heating, and winter garden structures, you can create a winter garden that is your very own winter wonderland. Below, we explore Harbour Lifestyle’s top winter garden ideas to embrace the beauty of the winter season in your outdoor space.
1. Add Greenery and Shelter With Evergreen Hedges
Monterrey 8 Seat Rope Rectangular Ceramic Firepit Dining Set in Grey - £3,899
Enjoying your garden in the winter becomes more second nature when it doesn’t look like a plain, barren, space. Choosing evergreen hedges to surround your garden or patio space ensures you can still enjoy deep, green hues in your garden all year round.
With many styles of year-long greenery to choose from, tall hedges provide an extra bonus in the colder months by shielding your patio from the wind. Shielding hedges make a great spot for your winter fire pit table or dining set, and attract visits from winter birds.
2. Expand Your Space With an LED Pergola
PergoSTET Plus 4m x 4m Square Pergola with 3 Drop Sides and LED Lighting in Grey - £5,249
For the ultimate outdoor living space. Feel the crisp air on your face while enjoying the protection from wind and rain, adding a pergola to the side of your home can drastically change the feel of your garden.
Available with drop sides, LED lighting, and attachable pergola heaters, a luxury pergola provides the best of luxury outdoor living. Creating your ideal outdoor space is a breeze with these modern pergola ideas.
3. Turn Your Small Space into a Perfect Winter Spot
Quay Lounge Set In Linen - £849.00
Small spaces can often be forgotten for outdoor living space design but they are no less valuable than larger ones. Cosy and intimate, you can create beautiful lighting effects and quickly raise the temperature with patio and wall-mounted heaters or lanterns.
For a relaxing place to take in the season outside, a hanging chair is a perfect cosy addition to make your ideal happy place for crisp winter nights.
4. Watch the Dancing Flames as You Gather Around the Fire
Luna 8 Seat Outdoor Fabric Rectangular Ceramic Firepit Dining Set in Oyster Grey - £3,999.00
For an instant relaxing ambience that is always a crowd-pleaser, a fire pit is the answer. No matter the season, humans have flocked around fire pits for generations, telling tales, eating and relaxing.
A pretty addition to an outdoor gathering in summer, winter fire pits have a much more traditional feel. Gathering around a winter fire with hot drinks and blankets brings people together, enjoying the season like never before. For more inspiration to transform your outdoor space with tabletop fire, these 17 spectacular fire pit ideas are invaluable.
5. Enjoy Winter Dinner with a Gas BBQ in Minutes
Napoleon Phantom Prestige 500 RSIB Gas Barbecue - £3,045.00
For so many of us, cooking on a BBQ grill brings us memories of waiting hours for charcoal to heat, only to be rained out when we start cooking. With super convenient gas grills giving instant heat, you don’t need to know what the weather will do in five hours' time.
Grilling food makes delicious dinners and expands your culinary wheelhouse. In many colder climes, grilling hearty steaks on instant heat outside is a highlight of the winter season, and a perfect way to make a wonderful dinner quickly, while enjoying cosy nights indoors.
6. Invigorate Garden Colour with Winter Flowers
Paia 8 Seat Rectangular Dining Set in Linen - £2,499
If one of the major advantages of sitting in the garden for you is sitting among the beautiful, varied colours, winter can make your space feel a little barren. Fortunately, there are many plants that actually flower in winter.
Introducing some pretty coloured flowers such as winter honeysuckle, violas, winter heather, cyclamen, and pansies that bring colour into your space can lift the mood of a sleepy garden.
7. Create a Relaxing Nook with an LED Parasol
Glow Challenger T2 3m Square Cantilever Parasol in Grey - £685
Enjoying a winter evening with a hot cuppa, a good book, and a blanket can be one of life’s enviable treats. Pairing your garden furniture with an LED lighted parasol gives you some protection, and just the right amount of light to see what you’re doing.
Paired with a patio heater or rustic warming lanterns, your relaxing nook can be comfortable and remain covered all winter long.
8. Bring Pops of Colour From All Angles
Enna 3 Seat Sofa Set with Coffee Table in Fawn - £2,599.00
When the pretty colours of autumn have passed, and your spring garden is hibernating, it's normal to miss the pops of colour that made your garden so appealing to spend time in during other seasons.
In addition to introducing winter flowers, evergreen bushes, and colourful trees, you can add vibrance to your outside space by choosing garden furniture sets that add a pop of colour to your garden design, even in winter.
9. Add Cosy Lighting to Set the Scene
Paulmann - Plug & Shine Outdoor Basket 8W LED Single 60cm Floor Light in Brown - £129.99
Stark, winter-looking gardens and outside spaces are not destined to be that way. They are often simply neglected. Our interior rooms too, would look dark and unappealing in winter if we didn’t add lighting to create our cosy and welcoming space. The exterior is no different. The personality of your house exterior and garden can drastically change with the installation of some warm-toned, outdoor wall lighting to brighten up the mood. If your garden feels dark and could use some light, these lighting ideas can help.
10. Give Your Garden Ski Lodge Inspired Design Features
Cosiscoop Pillar Lantern in Teak - £789
The ambience of the ski lodge doesn’t have to stay up a mountain. By blending the rustic look of wooden lanterns with stone, and other natural materials, you can bring a little of the Alps into your outdoor space.
With the convenience of instant light and warmth, lanterns seamlessly blend into all garden and patio designs. When paired with patio heaters and outdoor garden structures such as pergolas or parasols for additional heat and shelter, you can feel the comforts of the ski resort in your own back garden.
11. Hot Homemade Pizza Nights All Year Long
Juno Pro 16" Gas Pizza Oven - £259.00
No takeaway night compares to the warmth, smell, and experience of having hot, crispy, and delicious homemade pizza from your very own pizza oven each week.
With instant gas or wood-burning options, baking piping hot pizza on a crisp winter night is a game changer for quality dinners and family time. Whether you dine outdoors by your fire pit or take your homemade delights inside for movie night, this outdoor space game changer gives you options.
Take a look at our guide that discusses outdoor kitchen ideas for more inspiration.
12. Curl Up on a Comfy Daybed
Selene Daybed in Fawn - £1,899.00
Getting outside is good for us, even if it is simply sitting and enjoying the crisp air and natural light whatever the time of year. In the wintertime, comfort often gets in our way of spending more time outside.
Having a super comfortable, cushioned daybed to curl up on with warm and cosy blankets turns your winter garden into the perfect spot for reading, listening to your favourite podcasts, or simply enjoying a hot drink and a catch up with a friend.
13. Create Ambiance for Dark Nights with Flame Lanterns
Höfats SPIN 1200 Table-Top Fire in Silver - £169
When you want to change the mood in your outdoor space but wall-mounted lights are not an option, tabletop flame lanterns can easily create a beautiful relaxing or romantic mood.
Giving some natural warmth and a fascinating flame-watching centrepiece, portable lighting puts you in charge of the design of your space every time you use it. Perfect for smaller spaces that only need minimal light, and harder-to-reach bottom of the garden nooks to create a pretty hideaway from the winter blues.
14. Use Traditional Heat for Delicious Meals with a Masonry BBQ
Buschbeck Wellington Masonry Barbecue - £829.99
Add a classic take on winter heating and cooking with a masonry BBQ grill and wood burner in your outdoor space. Enjoy the delicious smells and tastes of winter BBQ and listen to the crackle of burning logs.
Relax with peaceful evenings under the winter stars with a traditional wood grill that seamlessly blends with any garden design. By choosing a fire that doubles as a grill, you open a whole world of outdoor winter cooking and heating options.
15. Enjoy the perfect party patio all year round
Luna U-Shape Outdoor Fabric Curved Corner Dining with Round Firepit Coffee Table in Grey - £5,249.00
The winter can be cold, but it has a lot of entertaining opportunities in it. With Christmas and winter holidays giving way to Valentine's Day, there’s plenty of chance to extend your patio party season by adding a patio heater.
A stylish, strong, standing heater opens your space for winter parties, dining, or simply enjoying quiet time alone. Having an outdoor heater without needing to work a fire or man a grill is the perfect alternative for easy, fast heat that allows you to spend maximum time with your guests and doesn’t fill the air with smoke.
16. Make the Bottom of Your Garden a Magical Space
PergoSTET Plus 4m x 4m Square Pergola with 3 Drop Sides and LED Lighting in Latte - £5,249.00
Luna U-Shape Outdoor Fabric Corner Dining with Rising Firepit Table in Fawn
£5,999.00
Adding a pergola to the side of your home can increase your living space and options all year round, by using creativity, you can carve out a magical spot in any area of your garden. Adding a pergola in a special spot in your garden creates an extra, separate, and usable space. It can become a charming, cosy hideaway at the bottom of the garden, or a striking, eye-catching feature right in the centre of it. Getting creative with modern pergola ideas, your new outdoor space can be anything from an outdoor yoga area, a perfect entertaining spot, or a secluded getaway area away from the house.
17. Support pollinators with winter-friendly flowers
Life for bees and other pollinators is getting harder whatever the season. With populations in decline, the winter season is becoming particularly tough on our hard-working friends, who are seen out and about more often during winter than they used to be.
Adding some pollinator-friendly winter flowers to your garden in beds or pretty pots, can help our bee neighbours, and bring your garden some much-needed colour. With pergola climbing plant ideas for incorporating greenery into your structures, you can help the environment while designing your ideal pergola.
18. Create your own garden winter wonderland
Paulmann - Plug & Shine Outdoor 2W LED 7.5m Warm White Fairy Lights in Black - £39.99
As the garden winds down for winter, creating a beautiful outdoor space can offer a peaceful retreat in the middle of a season that rarely stops. Soft fairy lights, frosted branches and white accents add a fresh, crispness that feels not only festive but peaceful.
Perfect for frosty mornings, quiet evenings or holiday gatherings with family and friends, it reminds you to slow down and soak up the season no matter how low the temperature dips.
19. Brighten dark evenings with clever outdoor lighting
Paulmann - Plug & Shine Outdoor Globe 2.8W LED 20cm Floor Lamp with Ground Spike in White - £75.00
Warm, subtle lighting completely changes the mood of a winter garden once darkness falls. Lanterns placed near seating areas create inviting pockets of glow, while fairy lights woven through branches add a delicate shimmer overhead that replicates the magic of the season.
Soft candlelight and fire lanterns around dining spaces turn chilly nights into cosy gatherings, making the outdoors feel like an extension of your home long after sunset. Opt for warm tones and textured finishes to keep the atmosphere welcoming and cosy.
20. Bring life to your space with winter garden plants
Eternity Left Hand Teak Corner Group in Light Grey - £3,999.00
Evergreens and hardy perennials provide much-needed colour and texture when most summer blooms have already faded. Plants like holly with its glossy leaves and bright berries, or heathers that carpet the ground in soft purples and pinks, keep the garden feeling vibrant even on grey days.
Including a variety of winter-flowering shrubs and grasses also supports local wildlife, inviting birds and insects to your garden during the colder months.
21. Stay warm with stylish outdoor heating solutions
Höfats MOON 45 Fire Bowl with High Stand - £329
Chilly winter evenings don’t have to keep you indoors. Adding outdoor heating options such as sleek patio heaters, cosy fire bowls, or timeless fire pits extends your garden’s usability into the peak of winter.
Providing comfort during the coldest days of the year, heating solutions create inviting focal points where friends and family can gather. Designs that match your garden’s aesthetic will keep the space looking cohesive while providing much-needed warmth.
22. Add structure and interest with winter garden trees
Bernini 6 Seat Round Dining with Teak Table in Light Grey - £2,699.00
Winter gardens come alive with the presence of trees with beautiful barks and shapes that hold their own even when their leaves have long fallen.
Trees with colourful bark or bright berries inject unexpected pops of colour during colder months, like the Dogwood with its colourful red, orange, yellow and pink twigs. Carefully placed, winter garden trees and shrubs act as natural sculptures, shaping the space and drawing attention long after other plants have gone to sleep.
23. Dress up your garden with stylish pots and planters
Ivyline - Pot Como in Ivory - £49.99
Use pots and planters to inject some personality to your outdoor space during winter and experiment with various shapes, sizes and textures to add layers of interest even when planting options are slightly more limited.
Group containers in clusters to create focal points or use a single bold pot to beautifully punctuate a quiet corner. Materials like terracotta, ceramic, or stone add natural warmth during the colder months and work well with seasonal plants, making your garden feel cared for and inviting all year round.
How to create a winter garden in the UK
Planning and an understanding of the UK's climate are must-haves if you want to create a winter garden that thrives through the colder months. With chillier temperatures, shorter daylight hours and occasional frost, certain strategies can help you build a garden that remains vibrant and inviting year-round.
Follow these steps to craft a winter garden that flourishes despite the UK’s unpredictable weather:
1. Choose seasonal plants that can withstand winter weather
Opt for plants known to tolerate UK winters, such as evergreens, hellebores, witch hazel and snowdrops to provide structure, colour and interest when most other plants are dormant. Incorporate shrubs with berries like holly and cotoneaster to add bursts of natural colour and attract wildlife.
2. Focus on soil preparation
Good soil health is vital before winter sets in. Enrich soil with organic matter like compost or well-rotted manure to improve drainage and nutrient levels to support plant roots during freezing temperatures and encourage good growth come spring.
3. Add shelter and wind protection
UK winters often come with harsh winds and gales that can damage delicate plants. Use hedging, fencing, or even strategically placed garden structures to create windbreaks that will reduce stress on plants and help retain warmth in your garden microclimate.
4. Use mulch to protect roots
Apply a thick layer of organic mulch around plants to insulate soil and maintain moisture. Mulching guards roots against frost damage and helps moderate temperature fluctuations, making your garden more resilient through winter.
5. Plan for outdoor lighting
With shorter days, garden lighting extends usable time outdoors while enhancing the winter atmosphere. Choose warm-toned, soft lighting solutions, like lanterns and wall lights to highlight focal points and ensure safety along pathways.
6. Incorporate winter-friendly hardscaping
Paths, patios and seating areas should be made from materials that withstand wet and icy conditions common in the UK, such as non-slip surfaces and durable finishes that help your garden stay accessible and enjoyable even on colder, wetter days.
7. Provide wildlife-friendly features
Winter gardens can become havens for birds, hedgehogs and insects that rely on seeds, berries and shelter. Add bird feeders, nesting boxes and water sources to support local wildlife through the scarce, colder months and reintroduce lively movement to your outdoor space.
8. Plan for easy maintenance
Make life easier for yourself and keep your garden looking neat despite the season’s challenges by choosing plants and garden elements that require minimal upkeep during winter.
What to do in winter in the garden: top tips for caring for your garden and furniture
As temperatures drop and outdoor time becomes more limited, giving your garden furniture some winter care can keep it looking great and ready when it comes alive again in spring.
Clean thoroughly before storing
Remove dirt, leaves and debris from your furniture using a soft brush or cloth with mild soapy water to wipe down surfaces and pay attention to corners and joints where grime easily builds up. Rinse well when you’re done and allow everything to air dry completely before moving on.
Protect materials suited for winter
Certain materials, like metal or resin, generally withstand winter better, but they still benefit from a protective layer. Apply suitable treatments such as rust inhibitors for metal frames or UV-protective sprays for plastic and synthetic fibres.
For wooden furniture, treat surfaces with preservative oils or wood sealants to make them more resistant to weather damage, but cover them up or store them inside during harsh conditions to prevent moisture damage or cracking.
For more info, check out the best garden furniture to leave outside guide.
Use quality covers wisely
Waterproof covers guard furniture against rain and frost, but make sure your covers fit well to prevent water from pooling. Opt for breathable fabrics to avoid condensation, which can cause mildew or mould and remove your covers periodically to air out the furniture and check for any signs of dampness.
Store cushions and fabrics indoors
Soft furnishings are vulnerable to moisture and should be brought inside during the winter months. Store cushions and rugs in a dry, frost-free space like a shed, garage, or indoors to keep them fresh and ready to use again when warmer days return.
Arrange furniture in sheltered spots
Alternatively, if storing furniture indoors isn’t an option, position your collection in the most sheltered part of your garden, close to walls or under pergolas, to help reduce exposure to wind and rain and lessen wear and tear through winter.
Regularly check and maintain
Inspect your garden furniture for damage or wear throughout the season. Tighten loose screws, replace worn fittings and clean off any moss or mould that appears to ensure your furniture stays in good condition year-round.
With a bit of attention now, your outdoor seating and dining areas will welcome you back in spring, looking fresh and inviting.
What is best in a winter garden?
Contrary to popular belief, winter gardens in the UK can be just as beautiful and inviting as ones in spring or summer. Winter plants, such as evergreens, winter bloomers and tough perennials, add colour and texture when most gardens slow down. Adding structural elements like striking trees and strong garden features also gives your outdoor space shape and year-round interest.
Comfort is what makes or breaks enjoying your garden throughout the chillier seasons. Weatherproof furniture paired with soft cushions, warm blankets, and well-placed lighting turns your garden into a cosy winter retreat during chilly evenings. Add in some outdoor heating, and your garden quickly becomes a favourite spot no matter how cold it gets.
Harbour Lifestyle offers stylish, durable pieces designed for UK winters that let your garden shine even on the gloomiest days. Explore our blog for more inspiration or browse our collections to create your own winter wonderland.
FAQs
How can I keep my UK garden looking colourful during winter?
Winter in the UK doesn’t have to mean a dull garden. Plant winter-flowering shrubs like hellebores, cyclamen, winter honeysuckle, and heathers for vibrant blooms even in the cold months. Evergreen hedges and colourful bark trees, like dogwood, also add visual interest and structure to your winter garden.
Is it worth investing in a pergola for a UK winter garden?
Absolutely! A pergola with drop sides and LED lighting can transform your outdoor space into a sheltered, usable area all year round. In the UK’s unpredictable winter weather, it offers protection from wind and rain, letting you enjoy crisp winter days without feeling exposed.
What’s the best way to light a UK garden during dark winter evenings?
Layer your outdoor lighting for maximum impact and cosiness. Use warm-toned wall lights, fairy lights draped over branches, and flame lanterns to create inviting pockets of glow. In the UK, good garden lighting is essential for both atmosphere and safety during long winter nights.
Can I use a BBQ in winter in the UK?
Yes! Modern gas BBQs are perfect for winter cooking as they heat up instantly and work reliably despite chilly UK temperatures. Whether grilling steaks or warming pizza, an outdoor BBQ adds a fun culinary twist to winter gatherings.
How do I protect my garden furniture during a UK winter?
Start by cleaning your furniture thoroughly before winter sets in. Use protective covers that are waterproof yet breathable to avoid mildew. Store cushions and fabrics indoors and, if possible, place furniture in sheltered spots like under a pergola or against house walls to protect from wind and rain.
What heating options are best for a UK winter garden?
For warmth and style, choose outdoor heating solutions like patio heaters, fire bowls, or traditional fire pits. These keep your patio or garden cosy even on cold UK evenings. Gas heaters offer instant heat, while fire pits create a lovely ambience for socialising outdoors.
Which plants survive UK winters and keep a garden looking good?
Hardy evergreens, hellebores, witch hazel, snowdrops, and winter-flowering heathers thrive in the UK winter climate. Add berry-laden shrubs like holly or cotoneaster to attract birds and bring vibrant colour to your garden throughout the cold months.
How can I make a small UK garden cosy in winter?
Focus on creating a snug nook. Add a comfy chair or daybed, throw blankets, warm lighting like LED parasols or lanterns, and a small patio heater. Even tiny outdoor spaces can feel inviting for a quiet cuppa or stargazing on crisp winter nights.
Is a winter garden a good idea for wildlife in the UK?
Yes! Many UK pollinators and birds benefit from winter-friendly gardens. Plant winter blooms, install bird feeders, and create sheltered spots with hedges or pergolas. Supporting wildlife adds life and movement to your garden, even in winter’s quiet months.
What are some easy winter garden ideas for UK homes?
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Plant colourful winter flowers and evergreens
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Install warm outdoor lighting
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Add a fire pit or patio heater
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Invest in a pergola for shelter
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Use vibrant garden furniture for pops of colour
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Protect furniture with covers
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Try winter BBQing or pizza ovens for cosy meals outdoors
These simple steps keep your UK garden stylish, vibrant, and enjoyable even during cold weather.
