Getting it Together
Map out the area and decide how you want to use it—dining, relaxing or entertaining. Once you have that in mind, decide how you will define the area from the rest of the outdoors. Disguise minor eyesores like garbage cans, air conditioners or sheds with a trellis, tall grasses or shrubs. Then add an interesting accent or gazing ball.- Lawn & Garden: Use potted shrubs to create walls, and garden ornaments or existing trees to provide focal points. Or use a pergola, gazebo, screen house, or canopy to provide both shade and walls.
- Deck or Patio: A weather-resistant dining table—with or without an umbrella—and chairs, grill and extra chairs offer options for relaxing and dining.
- Porch or Balcony: Spruce it up with a bistro table and chairs, a small hibachi and colorful potted plants. Plant tomatoes or herbs in window boxes to create a mini-garden and add privacy.
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Let Your Style Shine: Furniture
Does your heart skip a beat for anything "country"? Look for wood or rattan. Is your home a sleek modern habitat? Then the clean lines of tubular steel are for you. Are you a traditionalist? Try the new wrought iron look with its graceful decorative elements.- Wood: Oak or redwood chairs, benches, swings, gliders or chaises, with or without cushions, create a warm look for porch, deck or patio. We've got plenty to choose from. Click here to see our outdoor furniture.
- Tubular Steel: Sleek, sturdy steel furniture combined with brightly colored cushions, an umbrella for shade and a glass or resin-topped table give you outdoor dining with pizzazz!
- Wrought Iron: Our decorative Victorian-style benches and chairs combine delicate charm with the strength of steel. One bench will fit around a tree to give you a unique conversation area.
- Rattan: Great-looking resin "rattan" furniture is impervious to rain and snow, and wipes dry quickly and easily. Woven over steel, it has a great look, is sturdy and very comfortable.
- Resin: Lightweight and available in almost any color and style you could wish, resin is easy to handle, store and clean. Decorative or plain, it's used for tables, chairs and chaises, and lawn ornaments.
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Ground Floor Opportunities: Rugs
To add even more comfort, throw down an outdoor rug, or use several small accent rugs to mark out conversation and dining areas. They cushion flagstone patios and wooden decks, and provide a colorful counterpoint to a grassy lawn. Or use woven cotton rugs as coverings for well-used benches or draped over stone or wooden seats to add color and comfort.- Indoor/Outdoor Rugs: We have rugs in a whole range of traditional colors, all cushiony-soft in fade- and UV-resistant polypropylene. Some are reversible for twice the wear, and all clean up beautifully.
- Area Rugs: Do you have a canopy or gazebo? Our easy-care polypropylene, indoor/outdoor rugs are so durable, they can come outdoors when you entertain. Before putting one directly on a damp lawn, put a heavy plastic sheet beneath it.
- TIP: Always anchor outdoor rugs to prevent accidents. You can use landscape fabric pins to hold down the edges (invisibly), or you can place large potted plants or small furnishings on each corner.
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Light Up the Night: Candles and Such
Set the mood with lighting. It can be as simple as a candle or two on a small balcony table, or a whole gazebo aglow with mini lights strung inside. Use solar light to flank the pathway to your outdoor "room" or as accents in flowerbeds. Floating solar lights are perfect for ponds, or larger fountains or birdbaths.- Mini Lights: Strings of lights in trees or shrubs look terrific any time of year. Even icicle lights, hung from eaves or fencing, can define an outdoor room. Use any color that goes with your theme.
- Hurricane Lamps: Wind-resistant pillars and glass hurricanes will add drama around a porch railing or on a deck floor. To help prevent them from tipping, use florist's clay to anchor them in place.
- Solar Lights: The sun gives these easy-maintenance lights their soft glow. Just stick them in the ground—no costly wiring is needed. You can easily move them as your outdoor décor changes&33;
- Accent Lighting: Whether you choose decorative lights in flower shapes, tea lights in hanging glass lanterns, flip-flops, or a gorgeous outdoor chandelier, you'll add instant verve to any gathering.
- TIP: Candles should be in glass containers and securely anchored. Never leave them unattended. Use a heavy-duty extension cords designed for outdoor use, anchored securely and out of the traffic path.
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Set the Stage: Accessories
- Water Features: Don't have a pond or pool? Add a fountain to your patio or lawn. Even a birdbath can add serenity to your outdoor living room. Limited space? Think "tabletop fountain".
- Fireplaces: If you don't have an outdoor fireplace, a south-western-inspired Chimnea is a terrific alternative. Another sensible (and cost effective) option is a fireplace that doubles as a grill.
- TIP: Whatever style you choose, remember to be very careful with open fires. Give your fireplace a level, heat-resistant "floor" and keep it away from fabrics, furniture or shrubs.
- Interesting Accents: If your garden or patio is bland, give it a focal point. Try adding special furniture to provide impact then build your room around it. In addition to arches, swings or hammocks, there are planters and statues that will pep up any outdoor room.
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