Decorating Outdoor Rooms
Whether your outdoor space is a deck, patio, screened porch or sunroom, simple changes can make that space feel more like an extension of your home. Here are some of our favorite tips for making that outdoor space extra cozy.
Lighting
Without lighting, you can't use your outdoor space in the dark. But that doesn't mean you should resort to using flood-lights or other typical glaring outdoor lighting. Rather, consider candles, lanterns, or even a wired, rustic chandelier. Consider the kind of ambiance you'd like your space to have and choose your lighting accordingly--you'll be delighted at what a difference it'll make.
Fabric
Outdoor fabrics have come a long way in the last few years. Nowadays, you can choose from a dazzling array of patterns and colors. Outdoor rooms can be a little "rough around the edges," and fabric can soften them up and add lots of comfort. Consider adding comfortable, colorful cushions to your patio furniture for an easy upgrade. Another way to add fabric and function is to install outdoor curtains. Curtains on a porch or sunroom are attractive and functional.
Plants
For an outdoor space, nothing adds color quite as effectively as plants. You can install boxes on deck railings (like in the inspiration photo), or you can use pots or planters. Whichever approach you choose, though, make sure to select plants that will be easy for you to care for. There's no sense in adding to the outdoor maintenance if you don't have to, and there's a wide variety of plants these days that require very little care. If you tend to forget to water, consider installing an automatic system to make things even easier.
Water
A water feature can make your outdoor room so much more indulgent. The soothing sound of water drowns out traffic and other neighborhood noises. What's more, fountains make really attractive focal points. Whether you decide to add a built-in waterfall or use a purchased fountain, this can be a simple way to add elegance to your backyard patio or deck.
Fire
Of course, a backyard room isn't much fun without a BBQ grill for those family cookouts. Building in space to use the grill on your deck or patio is a great way to keep the cook feeling a part of things when you have guests. But there are other ways to add fire to your outdoor room as well. How about building a fire pit into your patio? It can be a cozy spot to enjoy the outdoors when the weather turns crisp, and it makes a perfect spot to roast marshmallows and tell scary stories.
Which of these tips are you most excited to incorporate in your backyard space? And, if your backyard doesn't yet have a patio, sunroom, deck or screened porch to decorate... keep reading!
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