DIY Outdoor Rooms

Select the primary purpose of the room, such as bird-watching, cooking or dining. Locate a level space that will be used for the room based on these requirements; for example, an outdoor kitchen should be close to the house, where food and utensils are stored.

Set a color scheme. Include colors already present in the surrounding yard, such as those found in your garden and exterior walls.

Define the outdoor room with a distinct floor option, such as brick, stone, concrete or thick grass.

Decide on the extent of the enclosure; outdoor rooms can have ceilings or walls or a combination of both. Use an arbor, awning or canopy to create a full or partial ceiling.

Create walls with planters, fences, bushes, curtains or low stone walls. Keep the purpose of the room in mind. If you are designing a kitchen, do not opt for a full-coverage enclosure or one with billowing curtains, which pose a fire hazard.

Choose a type of seating, e.g., chairs, benches or harem pillows. Look for chairs and benches that have cushions or make your own using outdoor fabric and nautical thread.

Add more furniture such as end tables, dining tables and ottomans, depending on your purpose. Include a functional hearth if desired, with fireplace and mantel, to heat the space and create a focal point around which to shape the space. Make sure all furniture is designed for outdoor conditions or is moved indoors after each use.

Decorate with indoor accents to pull the design together and distinguish the space from the surrounding lawn and garden. Use lamp-shaped planters. Decorate with potted plants.