Winter is coming. But luckily, not a Game of Thrones-type of winter. The winter we're referencing is one that's filled with snow (for some), cozy nights in, fleece throw blankets, and holiday twinkle lights. For many, the idea of wintertime is precisely this - nothing short of a winter wonderland picture. For others, winter is not seen as such a magical time and can make them yearn for the days when sitting outside went into the wee hours of the night, and sweaters were exchanged for t-shirts. The solution to this winter compromise is quite easy, though: With all of us needing a little more happiness in our lives, transforming the backyard into a winter wonderland is absolutely possible, and even easy, in 2020.

With a little DIY help and some inspiration from others who have already done it, there's no backyard space that can't be perfectly suited to becoming the ideal winter hangout spot. And we're not just talking space heaters and fairy lights... it's time for a full-on chill spot, all without leaving the comfort of home this winter season.

To Start: Chairs, Tables, And Stools, Oh My!

The first - and easiest thing - to start with is the seating arrangement. This is also where a bulk of the money for an outdoor setting will come into play. The good news is that many stores have end-of-season sales and many of them include outdoor sets or overstock such as chairs and weather-proof tables. Bear in mind that this is just the skeleton of what will be, essentially, an exterior room staging. Therefore, if all that can be found are faux-wicker chairs or even foldable tailgating chairs, fear not - what matters is how they're dressed up at the end of the day.

The appearance of the table is even less important as this is just a surface. Or, perhaps, it might be a better choice to go without a table - heat-producing sources such as a fire pit or outdoor heater can be just as dramatic and set the tone of the atmosphere, so this can easily be determined based on budget and how much room a person is dealing with.

The Big Decision: A Fire Pit Or A Heater?

This will largely be determined based on the accessibility to an electrical source. Good external heaters can run anywhere from $75 into the thousands of dollars, but can sometimes be a much safer option if space is limited. Alternatively, fire pits start going on sale in September in most places as it's the end of the season, and can be purchased relatively cheaper: Anywhere from $40 to a few hundred, and occasionally even cheaper if there's a clearance sale going on.

Related: Summer Vs Winter: Here Are Some Photos Of Europe To Help You Decide When To Travel

Lighting Sets The Mood

Obviously, lighting is important. However, it's sometimes a challenge to figure out exactly how to get those Pinterest-perfect lighting setups and it can be even more frustrating with little space or places to hang them. The solution? Create a place to hang them! This simple DIY makes use of affordable PVC pipe (six feet or more is ideal) and fairy lights, which can be found on Amazon for less than ten bucks most of the time. With some command hooks - which stick easily to smooth surfaces such as that of PVC pipe - hanging lights from four corners of a space becomes simple. Simply dig a hole for each pipe, stick on some command hooks (clear packing tape or hot glue can be used for stubborn hooks), and drape lights in between. For an even more festive look, PVC can be painted gold or silver, which will reflect the light from string lights beautifully.

Related: These Photos Of Winter In Cape Cod Remind Us That It's Perfect Any Time Of Year

Finishing Touches

The second bulk of a budget should only come from the decor used to spruce up a space. Festive pillows, cheap throw blankets, ground lanterns, and hanging decorations all make a place feel homey and give it that Architectural Digest feeling. For the true DIYers, creating personal signs or paper lanterns to hang around the space can make it feel personal and unique.

Adding a small, faux Christmas tree (or decorating bushes with lights) will bring in even more light to the space and create a true winter wonderland. Potted firs and other evergreen plants that do well in winter climates will make the space feel a bit more cozy and remote, bringing a little nature into an outdoor space that blurs the lines between 'backyard' and 'glacial Norway paradise.' When it snows, watch everything become that much more magical - Mother Nature is the easiest finishing touch!

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