When winter hits, hanging out outside can lose some of its appeal. After all, why would you want to sit on the deck in the cold winds when you could head inside and rug up in front of the TV? Lucky for us Brisbanites, winter's tend to not be too intense during the day, but chilly weather can still take hold at night.

But just because the cold weather is here, it doesn't mean you have to completely abandon your beloved outdoor living space until the days get longer again. It's all just a mere factor taking simple steps that will ensure you stay warm. Keep in mind that much of this blog will be focusing on winter in accordance to Brisbane's climate, but some of these tips may translate to where you live as well (be it another state/territory in Australia or a different country).

Layer up

Different people have varying degrees of tolerance for the cold. It's why on a winter's day you can see one person wearing jeans, a long-sleeve t-shirt, a jacket, and a beanie; and then another person can be walking around in a shirt and shorts. But when sitting outside, everyone tends to be a little more vulnerable to the cold as the lack of movement natural means we don't "warm up" like we do when actively walking, running, etc.

Make sure you wear the amount of winter clothing appropriate to you. If someone is comfortable in a shirt and shorts, that's their own choice. You don't have to worry about mimicking them. So layer up to the degree where you know there will definitely be comfortable.

Move around a little

Following on from the above note on how a lack of movement makes us more susceptible to feeling cold, you should remember to move around when possible. Obviously being on a deck, patio, or verandah isn't going to afford too much room to move around, but standing up and moving from side to side will help get the blood pumping a little. It also helps stave off tiredness, - particularly at night - which attributes to a sense of feeling cold, as well.

Make sure you're eating

Whether you realise it or not, eating helps you maintain your temperature. Regular eating keeps your metabolism going and is required for proper homeostasis - in other words, the regulation of your body temperature. So if you're going to be hanging out outside for a get-together where food will be served, don't starve yourself beforehand in preparation for a big meal. Make sure you at least have a little snack before heading out, and then enjoy a nice plate of food when you arrive. It's not a catch-all solution for dealing with the cold, but it does help.

Cook up a storm

An outdoor living space and a barbecue is a popular combination in Australia, and it certainly has its benefits in the winter. After all, you're cooking food on the grill, it helps heat up the air (a little, at least), and it also ensures everyone will have something to eat. Plus, for whoever's cooking and/or helping out, it means they're moving around. And then there's the fact that a BBQ is just plain great during winter.

Use an outdoor heater

Of course, if all else fails, you can always get an outdoor heater. They come in a variety of forms, but some of the most popular you've seen are likely the patio heaters that look something like this:

These gas-powered outdoor heaters certainly pack a punch when it comes to providing a good amount of heating when you're outside, and on their highest settings they can basically make jackets unnecessary. However, the hotter you make them, the quicker they'll eat through each gas bottle. So if you do decide to keep things extra toasty, be prepared to have a few gas bottles on hand.

What to keep in mind with your BBQ and patio heater(s)

As fantastic as BBQs and patio heaters are, it's important that they don't sit too close to your ceiling. Most BBQs probably won't be of much concern (unless your roof is particularly low), but patio heaters do tend to stand fairly high. Just remember that if you're going to have the heat blazing from them, that this heat will rise and could cause some damage (even if just aesthetic) to your ceiling over longer stretches of time. 

If possible, place the patio heater in a section where the ceiling is at its highest. If the entirety of your ceiling is flat, situate the heater in a corner where the heat can more easily escape into the open air and not just rise to the ceiling and spread. While outdoor ceilings are capable of enduring plenty of what nature (and other external factors) have to throw at it, it's best to not overexpose it to substantial heat - regardless of the source.