Use these tips from the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association to create the perfect outdoor room.
Determine how you’ll use the space. Use a notepad to jot down ideas about how it will be used, from entertaining to relaxing.
Create a wish list. Look for information and inspiration in design magazines and newspaper articles. Clip or print pictures and put them into a notebook.
Review the home’s architectural style so the outdoor spaces accentuate the indoor spaces.
Consider fire and food. These are key elements in every well-designed outdoor room. Position the fireplace as the focal point, then blend in cooking and eating areas.
Think foundation. Stone patios, retaining walls, fences and decks are basic foundation elements.
Draw a plan. The best way to achieve the desired result is to sketch out a plan. Don’t worry about picture-perfect drawings. It’s the general idea that counts.
Use landscaping as an accessory. Carefully placed trees and shrubs can add important texture and appeal to an outdoor room. Select plants that change with the season, offering different colors, blooms or scents depending on the time of year.
Consider lighting. To extend the amount of time spent outdoors, consider lighting for pathways, around pools, or to accentuate landscaping.
Decorative details such as an attractive table or a favorite work of art can help turn a backyard patio into a stunning outdoor room.
Take it in stages. Outdoor rooms are often created over a period of years to accommodate long wish lists on limited budgets. During the first year, install the hearth product and define the grilling and eating areas. Then accessorize the next year. Finish off with installation of landscaping.
