Design Guide Online Editorial

Outdoor living spaces have become quite popular in the last ten years. If you are one of the fortunate ones with a covered patio, balcony, or deck attached to your home, there are many clever ways to turn these spaces into exciting outdoor entertaining rooms. Whether you are in the midst of building a home and planning an outdoor covered patio or remodeling, here are some helpful hints for creating a comfortable and fashionable outdoor space.

Exterior living spaces look best if they are a continuation of your interior style and color scheme. The good news is that outdoor fabrics have come a long way in the past few years, with a wonderful array of colors, patterns and textures. Outdoor furniture styles are endless. Materials such as teak, redwood, and rust-resistant iron with powder-coated aluminum are perfect for around the pool.

Find outdoor furniture identical to wicker with a guaranteed durability. Made of vinyl-covered wire, it works great in the sun. For a covered patio, use real wicker, which is approximately half the price. When selecting outdoor furniture, I like to mix styles, as evidenced in this Hill Country-style home, where I chose dark brown wicker furniture with twig end tables.

In the below charming chateau photo, notice the mix of solid iron chairs with a custom-sized mosaic coffee table and cast stone supports on all four corners. At the far end of the patio, iron side and wicker end chairs surround a wood-topped dining table. The furniture is made of five different materials in three coordinating fabrics. The larger the space, the more materials you can mix and match without it looking too busy. Large spaces also need the variety; however, I do recommend selecting either all terracotta pots or all cast stone pots for plants – using both can look disjointed.

Consider a fireplace, which will add warmth in the fall and winter months, along with small inconspicuous heaters attached to the beams on the ceiling, and a built-in outdoor grilling area. Another great feature is a small refrigerator and ice maker in the outside kitchen. For the spring and summer months, it’s a must to have ceiling fans. If the budget permits, add misters on the perimeters of the ceiling.

Photo by House Beautiful

It is important to create a floor plan of patio furnishings, making electrical outlets conveniently located to plug in table lamps. If the patio walls do not have electrical outlets create lighting with cool lanterns or candles. Hanging lanterns can also provide an additional source of lighting.

Restoration Hardware

Create a theme. Accessories can really bring the space to life and give it personality. For example, coordinate accessories to embody Maine’s ocean landscape: a bowl topped with seashells, party napkins with a coral or lobster design. Try enamel-covered dishes, ship-style lanterns on your tabletops, or a rope hammock between two trees. Include large galvanized aluminum tubs to ice down the drinks and carry food and other essential things from the house to the outdoor living area. An old pine armoire on a covered porch can be handy to store all of your party necessities, plus games or extra towels.

Pottery Barn

If a covered patio is not an option, look at having a tent made out of awning fabric, possibly in a bold stripe. Consider umbrellas over tables or a picnic table under a shaded tree. There are endless color schemes and accessory combinations for an outdoor living space.
As you can see, the combinations are endless to make your outdoor spaces the perfect places to entertain!

About the Designer

Margaret Chambers of Chambers Interiors and Associates has been creating elegant interiors in Dallas for over 20 years. Because of her experience, innate talent and studies of the classics in Europe, she exhibits a confidence in mixing different styles, techniques, and cultures. Margaret's interiors have been published in multiple magazines and newspaper as well as won countless design awards.

Margaret currently is a member of the American Society of Interior Designers , Texas Association for Interior Design as well as Board Member for The Lee Park & Arlington Hall Conservancy.

• Margaret Chambers's blog

Related terms: Accessories, Architects and Building Designers, Designers, Fabrics, Furniture, Kitchens, Lighting, Mantels and Fountains, Ornamental Iron, Outdoor Living, Remodeler, Specialized Service

by: Margaret Chambers