Outdoor Living Spaces Take the Indoors Outside

Creating an outdoor living room is becoming more and more popular. Furnishing a patio, balcony or backyard area with the comforts and styles of indoor furniture not only creates an aesthetic space for entertaining family and friends, it also allows you to make the most of the good-weather seasons. Using the same principles for decorating a backyard space as you would a living room or bedroom simplifies the process and lets you focus on the end result. As with any decorating project, it’s always good to start with a plan and a budget. Start by asking all the basic redecorating questions—who will be using this space (just adults or children too); how much room do you have to work with (a backyard may seem huge but you don’t want your new patio furniture blocking traffic flow to the garage or the recycling bins); what will you need (somewhere to sit, someplace to put things on)

It doesn’t have to be labor-intensive or expensive—turning a patio or an area of your backyard into a place to relax after a hectic day can be as easy as buying a few choice items and reusing and recycling those abandoned items hidden down in the basement or out in the garage. Or maybe you have always wanted to build a multi-level deck that would have it all—a place to prepare and cook food, a place to eat and a place to sit back and enjoy the view—but you just need a little motivation. Jotting down ideas will make it easier for you visualize the end result, in addition to helping you decide exactly what you will need.

Because it is a growing tend, manufacturers are stepping up and offering more variety and a wider range of products, everything from patio furniture to outdoor lighting There are also many types of fabrics that can be used both indoors and out, making it easy to reuse older indoor furniture in your outside space. Many manufacturers also offer complete “rooms,” collections of outdoor furniture groupings that are style and color coordinated and come in a number of different size options. Just like decorating an indoor room, when designing an outdoor living space, accessorizing is important. Spending time on adding those little touches will be worth it in the end, and will make the area a comfortable and inviting place to gather with family and friends. Water fountains, wind chimes and decorative planters will increase the aesthetics of you outdoor room. Placing candles or lanterns on a table not only will provide light, it will also help create ambiance.

Putting an outdoor floor lamp on your deck or patio is also another option. Throw cushions, pillows and seat cushions in outdoor fabrics can add color and visual interest to your outdoor living space. In addition to your basic furniture grouping, you can use a bakers rack or kitchen cart to make the area even more functional. When creating an outdoor living space, you may want to think beyond the borders of the “room.” An outdoor garden bench under a tree or by a flower bed will create a focal point. A bird bath or a bird feeder will also make the area beyond your seating group visually interesting. Anything that will add to the aesthetics of your backyard will reflect well on your outdoor room, making it more welcoming and inviting. Accent pieces and accessory furniture, like an oversized planter or an outdoor bakers rack, increases the functionality of your outdoor living space, while improving its design and appeal. No matter how simple or complex your outdoor living room plan is, creating the perfect place to unwind after a busy can be fun and very rewarding.