This is the first summer at our new house and I’ve been looking for inspiration for the outdoor room we’re putting together.  I’ve got a covered space that’s open on two sides that I plan to turn into an outdoor living room.  I’ll share more about this room in a future post as it unfolds.   For now, however, I thought you’d enjoy seeing some of the wonderful rooms I came across while surfing the web for inspiring details to adapt for my space.  Each of these great rooms is from www.bhg.com (I subscribe to the Better Homes and Gardens magazine too and love it!).

Summertime Living

 Look how simple wood furniture becomes the core of a fabulous conversation area when surrounded by wonderful fabric and plants.  The tall crisp curtain panels act as a wall to anchor the seating area.  Piles of varied toss pillows decorate the furniture and fabric covered ottomans serve as coffee tables or seating.  A mix of surrounding green plants and textured florals add the final touch to this welcoming space.

A mix of blue and white prints take center stage, supported by a few stripes, in this outdoor living room. Notice the mix of scale on the prints – a very large print for the large flowing drapes, in comparison a medium print covers the sofa cushions and a small print highlights the chair cushions.  A single floral toss pillow takes center stage on the sofa while stripes in the outdoor rug anchor the furniture and enhance a pair of pillows on the sofa.  Greenery all around leaves no doubt that you’re relaxing in the garden.

 Crisp white fabrics paired with black iron and wicker accents plus punches of yellow create a relaxing yet slightly formal outdoor living room.  The generous draped canopy extends the space vertically, adding a grand appearance to simple furnishings.

Across the patio from the black and white living room (photo above) is this dining area.  The yellow accents from the living room carry into the dining space through the floral arrangement on the pedestal, the yellow blossoms on the plants, yellow plates on the table and yellow glass on the chandelier.

This outdoor room could fill multiple purposes thanks to the big banquette.  The banquette encourages leisurely lounging, the table invites a meal and chairs pulled up table side indicate a bevy of guests.  Florals provide lovely, live decorations around the arbor, helping define the room, and they are also used as a centerpiece.  Floral prints on the table cloth, cushion bench and toss pillows mirror the surrounding garden blooms.  A gorgeous green groundcover softens the hardscape of stone.

Wouldn’t you love to wake up in this room?  Summer camp for adults!  The white linens, furniture and ceiling are highlighted with a touch of blue in the quilt and the table top topiaries bring the green from the outdoor trees inside.

 Wicker and wood furniture are dressed generously with pillows and surrounded by plants, both in the room and by trees just beyond.  It’s a welcoming setting that invites you to curl up with a good book or snooze on the sofa.

More Outdoor Room Info

Last year Terrie did a post titled Who Else Wants An Enticing Outdoor Room?  Read through it for further discussion about the elements of an outdoor room.

If you already have an outdoor room let me know how you use it – as a living room, dining room, bedroom or _____?  Leave a note by clicking the ”Comment” link after the ads following this post or email me (send photos!) at solutions@yourdecoratinghotline.com.  I sincerely would love to hear about the room you’ve created or, better yet, I’d love to see it!