Once limited to more tropical areas of the world, outdoor rooms are more and more popular throughout all climate types.  Outdoor furniture manufacturers and fabric houses are making amazing progress with finish techniques that make all-weather furniture look and feel more like interior furniture.

There are some things to consider when designing your outdoor room.  One major factor most people don’t consider is:  What is the décor of the interior rooms that look onto this area?  Keep in mind that the color scheme of the patio or terrace should complement the interior to which it is attached, as well as the exterior finishes.  Other considerations are:  What are the colors of the siding or brick?  Is the lighting adequate for nighttime entertaining?  What are appropriate options for lighting?

When creating your outdoor room, try to incorporate the same decorative items you would on an indoor room.  Window treatments can create a feeling of intimacy if your porch or terrace is more open to the elements.  Also, use lots of candles.  Large standing candleholders are excellent for evening parties and are a better option than lamps, since lamps would attract bugs.

Don’t forget to decorate your outdoor spaces. By creating an outdoor room, you can increase your houses square footage without having to live through a renovation.