| It’s a fashion to take things outside – to | | | | a consideration. Devising unique ways to light up |
| the yard, the garden, the patio, the deck, the | | | | the night, such as round bar that has a variety of |
| pool, the nook. Whatever you have, you can turn | | | | lights sources. And there are always candles or |
| it into an inviting outdoor room. Summer invites us | | | | Christmas lights that deliver a romantic glow. |
| to do more than take the party outside. It | | | | Lighting can make or break a room, even an |
| beckons us to move life out of doors. With our | | | | outdoor room. Lighting is a feeling you can see. It |
| climate's warm evenings kissed by Bay and Delta | | | | creates a lot of atmosphere. The right lighting in |
| breezes, an outdoor room expands our living | | | | the right spot can do wonders. Lighting an outdoor |
| space, sometimes dramatically. But it also expands | | | | room is crucial. In the nighttime, the space is just |
| summer living by giving us a place to play, | | | | a black area, You need to have something |
| entertain, relax and, well, just live life. | | | | beyond candles. I like to use uplights to highlight |
| Outdoor living, after all, gives us the things we | | | | trees. Even in my own backyard, our low-voltage |
| love: Mother Nature to serenade us, the sun to | | | | lighting is on a circuit so it stays on several hours |
| warm us, breezes to caress us and the moon to | | | | every evening. The key to attractive outdoor |
| romance us. What better place for another room? | | | | lighting, according to the American Lighting |
| So what goes into creating a comfortable outdoor | | | | Association, follows a "less is more" philosophy. It |
| retreat? Our three outdoor-loving designers agree | | | | recommends soft, natural light that mimics |
| on this: It's about comfort, privacy, lighting, a | | | | moonlight on the property. |
| water feature and figuring out where to store | | | | Add furniture |
| everything come winter-or choosing products that | | | | Furnishing an outdoor room can seem a very |
| can live outdoors when the weather turns nasty. | | | | expensive chore. However, with a little creativity |
| Pay attention to the following important elements | | | | and elbow grease, you could furnish your space |
| relating to outdoor decoration, and a wonderful | | | | with style and charm. Although wonderful |
| outdoor time is waiting for you. | | | | weather-resistant furnishings are available, what |
| Setting the feeling | | | | could be more outdoor-perfect than a bed made |
| What kind of look and feeling are you going for in | | | | of grass. |
| your yard? Consider all the different atmospheres | | | | Cast iron and bronze or tubular steel furniture has |
| that can be created depending upon what you | | | | heft and substance, and powder coating (a |
| want to do and feel in your outdoor space. | | | | baked-on finish) is many times thicker and more |
| You should create a spot in your garden, or even | | | | resilient than painted metal furniture. Today's |
| an outdoor living space that draws you in and | | | | weatherproof wicker, woven from long-lasting |
| invites you to sit down. I have a bench in one of | | | | plastic wrapped around a frame, also delivers |
| my perennial gardens, that calls my name on | | | | durability year-round. And because faux wicker |
| warm summer days. | | | | furniture-makers use a metal frame rather than |
| Use natural hedges or trees to section off a | | | | rattan, the furniture's structure won't rot. Even |
| portion of your yard to create the feeling of | | | | those big, comfy cushions for outdoor furniture |
| seclusion. Plant tall plants and flowers toward the | | | | are built for outdoor living. Flow-through (or |
| back, and work forward to smaller plantings. You | | | | drain-dry) foam lets water flow through the |
| can use stepping stones, bricks, or pavers to line | | | | cushion, preventing water damage or mildew. |
| the floor of your outdoor room if it will receive | | | | But of all the advances in outdoor furniture, |
| much foot traffic. Especially if you plan on | | | | outdoor fabrics are grabbing the spotlight because |
| entertaining. | | | | they finally feel like fabric, not like plastic. They're |
| You can also add a water feature (pond, or | | | | perfect for anything where sunlight is an issue," he |
| fountain), grill, or clay fireplace to your outdoor | | | | says. These fabrics started as boat top material, |
| living space. It’s a great way to get out there | | | | but they've been refined to be softer, and they're |
| and enjoy all the hard work you put into your | | | | now available in a wide range of colors and |
| garden and yard. | | | | patterns. They're easy to clean and they really |
| Create structure | | | | stand up to the elements. |
| Outdoor rooms require some structure just as an | | | | Add accessories |
| indoor room would, to help provide intimacy and | | | | Accessories are the jewelry of any room, |
| comfort. Floors, walls and even ceilings can all be | | | | including outdoor rooms! Being creative can keep |
| created inexpensively. Good design is important in | | | | costs low, while allowing you to place a personal |
| this. A good structure design can make the later | | | | stamp on your outdoor space. You may use a |
| work more easier, such as lighting, furnishing, and | | | | variety of soft pillows and throws and interesting |
| the design should have a comprehensive vision, to | | | | art to give attitude to the outdoor living room. |
| consider all the things together, not just for the | | | | The things to consider in creating an outdoor |
| structure. Comfort comes first, then practical and | | | | room evolve around color, materials and style. |
| functional is important. A good design can save | | | | You want to make sure that your outdoor living |
| you money actually, just be a little creative. You | | | | area and furnishings go with the style of your |
| don’t need to have someone to do the | | | | house. Comfort is important. An outdoor living |
| design for you, you could do it yourself to have | | | | area has to be functional and practical. When it |
| more personal element to fit into your own | | | | comes to outdoor furnishings, there's more |
| interest and recreation needs. | | | | selection than ever before because outdoor living |
| Add lighting | | | | is becoming more popular every year. We're all |
| Often, outdoor rooms are used during the | | | | enamored with spending more time outdoors. |
| evening hours when providing lighting needs to be | | | | |