As the winter winds blow in, you know it’s almost time to get your outdoor area prepared for the cooler winter months. Whether you’re expecting cooler temperatures or inches of snow, it’s important to take a Saturday or Sunday now to protect your outdoor living area so it’s in good shape next spring.

There are definitely plenty of other things you want to be doing: pumpkin picking, watching football, enjoying your time off from work. That’s why we’ve broken it out into an easy checklist that you can – and will – tackle before the first snowfall. Here’s your fall and winter outdoor prep checklist:

• Outdoor room prep – If you have a gazebo or cabana, you know it’s a great outdoor room in the warmer weather where you can relax, get out of the sun and into the shade and enjoy being outside. To keep these structures in top shape, it’s best to do some fall and winter preparations. Do a thorough cleaning: sweep, hose down, clear out cobwebs. Also do a walk-through of sorts, checking all screws and bolts and making sure they’re tight and if not, tighten them up before the heavy snow comes.

If you’re considering purchasing a gazebo or cabana, you should take advantage of add-ons when you first get it. If you live in a coastal area that gets the brunt of hurricanes during hurricane season, you can consider a Hurricane Package, which provides extra sturdy braces for your structure. You can also consider a four-track window system, which is made of high-quality, durable frames and screens to provide some protection from rain and snow.

• Check your deck! Here, you’ll do the same thing as with the gazebo or cabana. Clean and inspect the entire structure. Get rid of all the dirt, leaves and pine needles between the planks and if there are signs of splintering or insect damage, treat the wood.

Your outdoor furniture will need to be protected through the cooler months, too. Once you’ve decided that it will be too cold to enjoy your outdoor space, say, maybe when the high temperature for the day is only reaching 60 degrees or so, put a tarp over the furniture and secure it. You could also move it to a garage or basement.

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• Yard work and landscaping – To keep it simple: get rid of all the dead stuff. The bulbs, leaves, grass. You name it, gather it up and throw it out. Check the yard, planters, flowerbeds and gardens.

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If you’re looking for high-quality, durable patio furniture and gazebo and pergola kits – including those hurricane kits and four track window systems — visit fifthroom.com.