Samantha Schoech
I am a former magazine editor specializing in travel and design. I just completed my first remodel, turning my crumbling 1941 kitchen into a beauty of grays, whites and natural wood. If I could, I'd sleep on the countertop. That's how much I love it. You can also read my parenting blog on Baby Center http://blogs.babycenter.com/author/sschoech/
I am a former magazine editor specializing in travel and design. I just... More »Rich Looks for Thrifty Outdoor Rooms
Pricey hardscape not in your budget? You can still have a sensational outdoor room with these imaginative ideas
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I have to be honest. If someone wanted to build me one of those amazing outdoor rooms complete with fireplace and kitchen, I would not turn it down. I'd also like multilevel landscaping, a wrap-around porch and a deck overlooking a tropical sea.
What I actually have in my backyard is a concrete patio, a couple of trees and a chicken coop. There is also my DIY landscaping, better on some days than others. But my humble, poolhouse-free yard does not mean I can't create a lovely outdoor room to call my own. With good furniture, a few plants and some imagination, anyone can have a lovely outdoor room.
Add to Ideabookby COCOCOZY by COCOCOZY Without the area rug, this is some patio furniture. With it, it's an outdoor living room. A few "indoor" details like candles and plant stands make it feel more cozy and roomlike. Add to Ideabookby Shades Of Green Landscape Architecture by Shades Of Green Landscape Architecture
This "room" was created with PVC pipe and a few yards of gauzy fabric. Sturdy, modern outdoor furniture gives it a more permanent feel.
Add to Ideabookby Carson Poetzl, Inc. by Carson Poetzl, Inc. Use your exterior walls like you use your interior walls: paint them, hang art, add shelves. Add to IdeabookI just love this one. Layered rugs, a simple fabric canopy, and a collection of throw pillows create a cheerful, eclectic room. There is nothing here you couldn't get at a flea market or garage sale. Add to Ideabook
Comfortable seating and outdoor art make this space an inviting place to hang out in. Pillows, throw blankets, side tables and area rugs all add instant coziness.
Add to Ideabookby Ninainvorm by Ninainvorm
You don't actually have to have a party to create a festive atmosphere. Including indoor furniture, brightly colored linens and a few other bright touches make an ordinary picnic table look like it's ready to entertain.
Add to IdeabookStringing lights over a table creates a "ceiling" and turns a fairly plain setup into an elegant outdoor dining area. Add to Ideabookby decordemon by decordemon This is a carport with a painted concrete floor, custom curtains and a few paper lanterns. Impressive, right? The way everything works with the color of the exterior wall is brilliant.
How to Turn a Carport Into an Outdoor Party Room Add to Ideabook
Not all outdoor rooms need to be for dining. This outdoor reading nook could become the best spot in or out of the house. With the addition of some pillows, the old bed could function as a couch as well.