I have a collection of books about outdoor rooms.  I LOVE the idea of outdoor rooms - complete with drapes, accessories, pulled-together and organized and oh, so appealing.  The reality is somewhat different – I have a hodge podge of outdoor furniture pieces, no ‘drapes’ because it’s SO windy here and somehow I just have never taken the time to really develop my outdoor room. 

However, for most of us, our patio or deck is a big part of our homes and lives – we BBQ and eat picnics outside, the kids play in the yard, we have friends over for drinks on the patio, in the heat of summer we sunbathe, as the weather cools we garden.  Why shouldn’t we put a little effort into making this area a destination, somewhere we really want to be?

ELEMENTS OF AN OUTDOOR ROOM

The principles of good design work equally well outside as they do inside.  With the current popularity of outdoor living and specifically outdoor rooms, there is an abundance of choices – just make sure that the items you select are weather resistant – waterproof or resistant, sun resistant fabrics, etc.  Here’s an inspiration board illustrating elements of my dream outdoor room.

my dream outdoor room inspiration board

• A rug underfoot goes a long way to creating a real “room” feel.  This outdoor rug is polypropolene so is totally weather resistant.  And lots nicer to look at than a concrete patio.  -rug, Garnet Hill
• I live in the southwest, so an outdoor fan to stir the breeze is a definite plus.  Love the wide paddles on this one by Minka Aire.
• Patio lighting is a must – a chandelier is cool if you have room and protection for one (there are lots designed for the outdoors now), but I’m a sucker for candlelight.  Since it’s windy here, these electric ‘candles’ are the perfect solution.  -candles, Unica Home
• I would want new table linens and these round shapes are different from the standard shapes you might use indoors.  They’re woven and paired with brightly patterned napkins.  -linens, Crate & Barrel
• Great serving pieces add lots of versatility and make entertaining easy – this divided rattan tray saves trips to the kitchen and the stylish pitcher and glasses will make guests ask for seconds.  -pitcher Colin Cowie, HSN
• This lounger is to die for….double size to share with a favorite person, clean lines and that fresh apple green color is so now.   lounger, West Elm
• And every outdoor room needs a fountain.  Start with a tabletop model if that’s all the room in the budget or upgrade to a floor or even bigger yard model if you can.  The sound of trickling water is soothing, inviting and such a great addition to an outdoor space.  -fountain, Lamps Plus 
• Many of the outdoor rooms created on the TV shows include drapes of some kind, usually tied to a patio support post to keep from flapping too much.  They certainly do soften the patio area and make it feel more like an indoor room, but they seem more bother than they’re worth.  They likely impede the view, they gather and hold dust and they are somewhat expensive (since they have to be out of outdoor fabric).  I guess I’d rather spend my money elsewhere.  
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  inviting outdoor room

•  Here’s a lovely example of how an outdoor room can feel and look like an indoor room:  flooring, lighting, fresh flowers, colorful accent pillos, a furniture arrangment conducive to conversation, coordinated dinnerware – all combine to make an inviting space just urging you outdoors.

Have you always craved an outdoor room too?  What elements would you include?

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