For those people who love the summer and all the opportunities it brings to be outside, a cold winter stuck indoors can be miserable, to say the very least. They would love to venture outside but the temperatures are a little colder than they can bear for very long – anyone who lives in the northeastern United States especially knows all about that.

There are ways though, with a few remodeling and decorating tweaks, you can actually bring far more of the best of the outdoors indoors, alleviating some of that November to March cabin fever that so many of us suffer from. Here are just a few ideas:

Add a Sunroom

Adding a sunroom is a big investment but one that more and more homeowners have been choosing to make over the past few years. A well constructed sunroom allows household members to enjoy an afternoon in the sun without having to brave the icy cold and also adds extra living space that the whole family can enjoy.

If you already have an existing porch you may be in an even better position. Consult with a remodeling professional about having it converted for year round use.

Upgrade Your Windows

If adding a sunroom is too much of undertaking for you right now, you can achieve a similar effect in your living or family room by having your smaller windows replaced by a larger bay or picture window – or by the addition of a few well placed skylights or sun tubes.

Create an Indoor Garden

A few pot plants scattered around the house is nice enough but, for some outdoorsy types, that is simply not enough. An indoor garden takes the pot plant idea a step further. Many gardeners already know starting plants inside is a common technique to have a successful crop in the spring and summer, but why stop there? With a little expert help (yes, landscapedesigners will work indoors as well) you can create a beautiful indoor oasis that will bloom all year long.

Another thing some homeowners choose to add to their homes is an indoor water feature. It does not have to be overly big an and fancy – a $30 tabletop water fountain can be just as effective at bringing the mental image and real sound of a babbling brook into your living room as one of the larger, pricier options.

Upgrade Your Deck

For some people there is simply no substitute for the feeling of really being outdoors and as long as they have something to take a little of the chill off they do not mind bundling up a bit to do so. If that sounds like you, why not consider investing in an outdoor fireplace for your deck?

If you are considering adding an outdoor source of heat you may want to consider one of the newer pellet burning outdoor stoves over a traditional wood burning one. These fireplaces produce no creosote, which is a major cause of chimney fires, and are some of the most energy efficient appliances on the market today.