Broken Arrow’s winters are milder than most of the country — December through February average highs run from the mid-40s to mid-50s°F, with overnight lows typically in the 20s–30s. This is outdoor living weather with the right setup. Here’s how to use your backyard year-round and why winter is actually the ideal time to start a new project.
Making Your Broken Arrow Backyard Usable This Winter
Outdoor Fireplace or Fire Pit
Nothing extends outdoor use into cold weather like a fire feature. A wood-burning or gas outdoor fireplace produces significant radiant heat in the zone directly around it — comfortable at 35–40°F without supplemental heating. Gas fire pits are also effective and have the convenience advantage: one click and you have fire.
If you have neither right now, a fire pit is also one of the faster projects to add — some designs can be built in a single day once materials are on-site.
Ceiling Infrared Heaters Under a Covered Patio
Infrared heaters mounted to covered patio ceilings produce heat that warms objects and people directly — not the ambient air. They’re effective even in light wind. A covered patio with infrared heaters and a fire feature can be genuinely comfortable into the low 30s°F for most people.
String Lights and Ambiance
Shorter daylight hours in winter actually make outdoor spaces feel more intentional and cozy when lit well. Low-voltage LED string lights over a pergola or under a covered patio are inexpensive and transform the feel of the space after dark — which in winter is 5:15 PM in Broken Arrow.
Why Winter Is the Best Time to Start a New Outdoor Living Project
Spring and summer are peak season for outdoor living contractors in Broken Arrow. Schedules fill up fast. Projects started in March often aren’t finished until May or June — right when you want to be using the space, not watching it get built.
- Contractor availability — winter schedules are less congested; we can often start faster and give each project more focused attention
- Permit processing — city permit offices are less backlogged in January and February than in March through May
- Concrete — Oklahoma winters are mild enough to pour concrete most of the season; cold-weather concrete work requires some additional prep but is entirely manageable in our climate
- Ready for spring — a project started in January is typically done before spring entertaining season begins in April
What to Build for Maximum Winter + Year-Round Value
If you’re planning a new outdoor space with year-round use in mind:
- Start with a covered patio (solid roof or louvered) — this is the foundation for all-season use
- Add ceiling fans for summer, infrared heaters for winter
- Build in a fire feature — fireplace or fire pit — for cold-weather anchor and ambiance year-round
- Use an outdoor kitchen for year-round entertainment — grilling doesn’t stop in winter in Broken Arrow
Start Your Winter Project Now
Call VistaScapes at 918-779-1317 or reach out online. We’re scheduling winter projects now — and winter starts often mean spring completion, right when you need the space most.
