Outdoor design: http://www.northvalleymagazine.com/mag/jun_jul07/features/4.html

Marketing Your Home: http://www.viewmagazine.ca/mag/sep07/features/4.html

Tis’ the Season For Outdoor Living

Who said the backyard is not considered a room? The latest trend in interiors is not just inside of the home, it is designing a living space outside using all the elements that are typically used inside. The outdoor living areas are great for entertaining or getting cozy with a glass of wine and a good book. Here are a few trendy ideas to accentuate your patio.

The 4 Elements to a cozy, soothing and inviting outdoor room are:

1. Visual Texture- Having a variety of texture in the space is key to designing any room.
It creates a sense of harmony that makes the “Outdoor
Room” feel like you are inside the home.

2. Color- Color sets the mood of the outdoor room. The colors portrayed can soothe the soul or set the tone for entertaining. For instance, blue is soothing and calm for a design set, while oranges and reds are better colors for entertaining and conversation areas.

3. Lighting- This is the element that creates the ambience. Lighting is the most important element in design. Soft lighting outdoors with candles or gas lamps can be romantic and other lighting like chandeliers, sconces or fire pits can be great for entertaining.

4. Textiles- Choosing the right fabrics for the outdoors can be challenging, but it can make al the difference. Outdoor drapes are the hot trend right now. They can make the space feel intimate and cozy, yet they make a statement. The use of good textiles can make the outdoor living area feel like a retreat.

Getting this warm, inviting outdoor space doesn’t require a huge patio or porch. The trick to creating a great area in a limited amount of space is the scale of furniture and items, and remember the 4 elements!

Pictures are from Sunset Magazine, Southern Living, aolhome.com