Outdoor Interior Decorating Ideas

No matter where you live, when springtime comes along, you and your family naturally spend more time outdoors. That means it is just as important for you to do some outdoor interior decorating as it is for you to do interior decorating inside. It's easy to take your interior decorating ideas outdoors, and to create a pleasant outdoor area for yourself, your family, and your guests to enjoy.

Creating an Outdoor Room

One of the first steps in outdoor interior decorating is to define the space by creating an outdoor room. Creating a room doesn't mean building walls; it just means creating an enclosed environment that feels like a room. Most residents use the side of their house or the side of a fence for one "wall" of their outdoor room. By defining an area in a corner of a courtyard or the corner of a fenced yard, residents are well on their way to creating a room with the two existing walls that make up the corner.

Making up the second or third walls of an outdoor room for interior decorating is easy. Arrange a row of tall potted plants, set up a screen, or hang a sheer curtain to further define the space.

To create an outdoor room in the middle of a large outdoor area, set up an inexpensive folding shade structure. Use curtain clips to hang shade cloth or sheer curtains around three sides of the structure to create instant walls and shelter from the sun. This is an easy way to create a 10' x 10' or 12' x 12' outdoor room for interior decorating.

Flooring

Have fun with your outdoor flooring. If your outdoor room has a concrete floor, staining the concrete is an inexpensive way to achieve a new look. For a fresh look, paint a canvas floor cloth in bright summer colors and lay it on the floor for your outdoor room. Interior decorating magazines are a great source of inspiration for other floor covering ideas. Bamboo mats, large rugs, and oversized floor tiles are fun outdoor interior decorating options.

Furniture

Today's outdoor furniture pieces are made of climate-friendly fabrics that won't mold or mildew if they get rained on, and that won't fade in bright sunlight. Every outdoor room should include a table and chair set for dining and, if there is room, comfortable chairs or chaise lounges for just hanging out. Make sure every guest has a surface on which to set a drink and a plate.

Lighting

Don't forget lighting in your outdoor room, or you wont be able to use it after dark. Candles work well to light a dining table, but be sure they have glass chimneys or are in containers deep enough to block the summer breeze. Low voltage rope lighting is an inexpensive, safe way to add ambient light to an outdoor area, as are tiny white lights. Outdoor interior decorating experts agree that this light is the most flattering, so you and all your guests will want to spend many evening hours in your cozy outdoor room.