Designing an Outdoor Room

By Norma J. Smith

Outdoor rooms are a great way to increase your living space without the expense of an addition. No need to worry if you don't have a porch or a deck. You can use existing structures to create your walls, like the side of the house or garage, a fence or a row of hedges. You can also create walls using outdoor draperies and /or trellises. Floors can be anything from grass to patio bricks. Try using one of the beautiful outdoor rugs that are available to really define the space.

There are so many great outdoor fabrics available that are made to resist stain, mold and mildew. You can use fabric in all aspects of your outdoor decorating. Recover the cushions on your existing patio furniture for a fresh new look or bring out some old chairs that you are no longer using in the house. Throw on a coat of paint and some new cushions and your good to go. Be sure to add some throw pillows in coordinating fabrics.

Outdoor dining does not have to be plastic tablecloths and paper plates! Buy some fun, inexpensive dinnerware and use them with cloth tablecloths and napkins for a really sophistcated look. For a centerpiece, use a grouping of different size candles for both light and ambiance.

Outdoor lighting can be electric, candles or solar. There are some great fixtures available from chandeliers to lanterns that hang from tree branches. Of course all outdoor rooms need a fireplace or firepit! If you really want to extend the season of your room there are even outdoor heaters available.

Put some thought into the greenery of your outdoor room. Plants can be used to outline and define areas as well as to add privacy. Choose plants that give off a nice sweet fragrance. If you will be using your room primarily at night, consider a Moon Garden.

Think about the flow and function of the room just as you would an indoor room. Create little conversation areas, dining areas, quite areas; maybe a hammock tucked over in a corner. But make sure there is plenty of room for traffic.

What ever you decide to do, get going because summer is short! Enjoy!

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Norma J. Smith is an Interior Decorator in the Boston area. She specializes in Custom Window Treatments and Soft Furnishings. She can be reached at 781 665-1306 or via email at norma@njinteriors.net. Her website is www.njinteriors.net.