How to Create an Outdoor Living Area That You Will Really Use

Creating an intimate, comfortable outdoor living space gives you a spot to relax and commune with nature at the convenience of home. After a few basic necessities, you can add your own personal touches. The outdoor living space may become your favorite room in, rather, outside, your house. You don't need a big yard. An apartment balcony or a small porch can be easily converted.

Furniture
plants
personal items
screens

Instructions

- 1
  
  Define your space. Most people feel more comfortable in an intimate, protected space, than out in the open, where they can be seen by onlookers. Imagine how it would feel eating lunch with your family at a picnic table in the middle of a large lawned front yard, next to a busy street. Now imagine sharing lunch in a small shaded garden. You can focus on your friends and immediate surroundings, without a thought of passersby.
- 2
  
  Determine the size of your outdoor space. This may be dictated by pre-existing structures. If not, create screens with tall plants, fences, recycled shutters, outdoor cloth screens, or trellised vines.
- 3
  
  Add furniture. Comfortable seating is a MUST! A great place to put up your feet and read your favorite book is invaluable. Provide seating for a guest or two. Add a table for dining or just resting your glass of lemonade.
- 4
  
  Add lots of plants. Plants calm us and appeal to and entertain our senses. They provide food. They sound wonderful when the breeze rustles the leaves. Flowers like roses, lilacs, and lilies smell divine.
- 5
  
  Add lighting. To enjoy your outdoor living space at night, have some sort of lighting. A bright overhead porch light is too much. Good options are solar lamps, tike torches and candle light.

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