When you think of the outdoors during the winter months, "gray," "dreary" and "boring" are words that probably come to mind. But your winter patio doesn’t have to be any of that! Here are some helpful winter patio decorating tips and ideas that will brighten any outdoor space:

Poinsettias are in season and their vibrant red, white or pink hues, combined with their green leaves, are enough to add color to any gray and dismal outdoor area. Go to your local supermarket or nursery and stock up on a few of these plants. You can keep them in containers or plant beds outside, but bring them back inside or cover them up if the outdoor temperatures get extremely cold or if a freeze is expected. Be sure to keep them away from pets though. Poinsettias are only mildly toxic to animals, but it’s better safe than sorry!

You can also run to the store and buy holiday decorations, like wreaths and outdoor holiday lights. LED lights are always a good choice because they are so energy-efficient. You don’t have to get too Christmas-y for them to look good either. A few strands of simple white lights are enough to make any outdoor living space look elegant. There's a fine line between nice and overdone. Be sure to be reasonable about the amount of lights you use.

A less expensive way to dress up your outdoor patio for the winter months is with grapevine. You can buy it at your local florist or art supply store. Maintenance-free, grapevine can be threaded through any lattice work you might have outside or you can use white LED lights and intertwine them with the grapevines. Add sprigs of holly, juniper or boxwood to make your patio even more festive!

One of the more expensive things you can do is add a small outdoor fireplace to your patio. Do some comparison-shopping to see what you can get for what price: outdoor fireplaces can be huge or they can be small and portable. Adding a fireplace to your patio will encourage family and guests to hang out outside a little bit longer. Picture it now: the air outside is cold, but you and your family and friends are all bundled up and roasting marshmallows by the fireside. Yum! What a fun way to spend a cold winter’s night!

However you decide to dress up your patio this holiday season, be sure to let your personality shine through. A little bit of flair can be appropriate all year long. If you still don't have a patio to spruce up, contact your local patio builder now.