DIY painting: Cosy up your deck this winter

Enjoying a meal in the outdoors can be a great way to celebrate a family occasion, have a colleague meet-and-greet or spend time with neighbours.

But with cooler weather settling in the bracing air may prove to be a bit much for even the hardiest soul.

For those who already make great use of their deck in the summer months, why not consider attaching a shelter to extend the use of your outdoor space?

All it takes is a little motivation, a little knowledge and some DIY painting skills to transform your deck into a cosily covered snug area for enjoying a hot meal on a cool night.

Making sure that you have the necessary equipment is an important beginning to the process of backyard DIY - remember that hiring can often be more cost effective than buying tools, especially with large or cumbersome items which may require more storage space than you have available!

Consider how the construction of your deck dictates the extra shelter you will need. For example, if the house already protects your deck from wind you may only need roof cover rather than extra walls.

You might also think about how much light you will need in the space - a sturdy sheet of clear corrugated plastic could create a bright skylight effect and be a good alternative to a wall.