Home Improvement

5 Tips for Creating an Outdoor Room

Brought to you by our friend Cassity at Remodelaholic.

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After a long winter, it is so exciting to be able to finally spend time outside, and there’s nothing more inviting than a comfortable outdoor room to spend that time in. For entertaining or just an evening in, it’s hard to beat the combination of a light breeze, crickets chirping, a beautiful view and cushy seat, with something chilled to drink. Create your own outdoor room using this easy 5 step design process.

1. Start with What You’ve Got

Even a small porch or patio can become a lovely outdoor room. If you don’t have a space set aside yet, walk around your yard to discover the best spot, what space would naturally be a comfortable room, where is the best view? If you have a weekend (or two), you can build a simple pergola or arbor. Short on time? Splurge on a pre-made awning or even a large umbrella to help set the space apart from the rest of the yard.

2. Dress it Up

Once you’ve set aside the space for your outdoor retreat, the quickest way to make your room feel like just that, is to add curtains. It seems to give your little room a hug, and set boundaries, from yard to room. Colorful curtains like those above set the tone for a fun and lively space, while white curtains like those below make the space feel intimate, calming and look picturesque.

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If you’re using an umbrella or another structure that can’t support curtains, use a simple hinged screen to separate the area and add some privacy. Using an item typically used indoors helps the space feel more like a piece of home. You can find divider screens at home/outdoor furnishing stores, or you can DIY one from old doors or a little bit of lumber and elbow grease!

3. Make it Comfy

Whether you’re inviting guests or just your family to the space, you want it to be comfortable. Make sure there is plenty of seating, and make it appealing with thick cushions and plenty of throw pillows. Add a light blanket or two in case the temperature drops. Choose synthetic materials made for outdoor use to ensure that your cushy decor looks great through all the parties of the summer. Be sure to have plenty of surfaces to hold drinks and treats while you sit back, relax and chat in the space.

4. Fit it to Your Needs

The furniture you bring to your outdoor room should fit the plans you have for the room. Hosting a dinner party means you’ll need a full dining set, but a casual get together for drinks and games will only require seating with a coffee table and an end table or two.

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Simple white or neutral furniture adds to the simple elegance of a room, but colorful eclectic furniture can make the same room feel lively. Choose what fits your personality and the tone of the event you’re hosting.

5. Let Nature In

Part of the thrill of creating a great outdoor room is the merging of the indoor and outdoor elements. Flowers and greenery, either cut or potted, add color and enhance the natural feel. Other natural elements used as decor add texture and interest to the room: a tall arrangement of bamboo or sticks, rough woven decorative balls, a rock pathway, natural wood and wicker furniture intertwine the beauty of the outdoors with the structure typically associated with a home interior.

Be sure that what ever you do, the space is inviting to you! And now that you know how to get started, go out there and let us know how it goes!

Cassity is an interior designer, wife, and mother of two. She and her husband have remodeled three homes from top to bottom and are working on their fourth. Making a house a home is her favorite hobby. For great ideas on how to make your builder grade house a custom home, check out her blog Remodelaholic.

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Christine is the Content Marketing Coordinator for Homes.com. She's a small town girl at heart, who currently lives in Norfolk, VA with her husband and their fur baby. When she's not working, she enjoys cooking, decorating, traveling, and binge watching Netflix. As a proud Virginia Tech alum, she also loves cheering on the Hokies!