| There is one spot that is often overlooked when | | | | Yard art such as stakes, sculptures, weather |
| searching for more living space - the outdoors. | | | | vanes, colorful windsocks and flags. For original |
| Backyards aren't just a place for swing sets and | | | | accents, search for garage and basement "finds" such |
| barbeques anymore. Today, more people are treating | | | | as old buckets, stepladders, watering cans and |
| their backyards like another room. Whether you want | | | | furniture. Paint them or let them weather in the |
| an inviting, entertainment area, a private retreat or | | | | elements. Clay pots, decorated or left natural, add a |
| simply a spot for basking in the sun or stargazing, your | | | | homey touch. |
| patio can easily be transformed to perfectly suit your | | | | Trellises and garden arbors. |
| needs and desires. | | | | Stepping stones to connect separate areas in the |
| A porch or patio, surrounded by nature is the perfect | | | | yard or as walkways around the outside of the house. |
| setting for sharing with family and friends - or to simply | | | | Birdhouses and bird feeders. Welcome wild birds |
| relax quietly. Just like the interior of your home, your | | | | by adding hand-painted birdhouses and decorative |
| exterior decorating and arrangement will be as | | | | feeders. |
| individual as you are, where you can showcase your | | | | Table settings and candles to match the color |
| own style and preferences. Here are a few simple, | | | | scheme and theme. |
| ideas that will give your outdoor space a feeling of | | | | Lighting |
| welcome and beauty all its own. | | | | For added drama in the evenings, use: |
| Inspiration | | | | String lights to accent an arbor, railing, umbrella or |
| Choose a theme that reminds you of a favorite setting | | | | trees. |
| or vacation destination to create a sense of flow and | | | | Add a floodlight to highlight trees or garden |
| unity - an island setting, a mountain chalet, an Italian | | | | statuary. |
| village, botanical gardens - whatever appeals to your | | | | Line a walking path with luminaries or distribute |
| senses. | | | | them throughout a flower bed. |
| Color | | | | Minnow buckets with pillar candles make unique |
| A variety of colorful plants in the ground, pots, | | | | and fun luminaries. |
| railing and window boxes, hanging baskets or a variety | | | | Solar lighting for railings, gardens, window boxes |
| of interesting containers such as wagons, wooden or | | | | and pathways. |
| metal boxes, and old boots. Your only limit is your | | | | Sound |
| imagination! | | | | Supplement the sounds of nature by: |
| A painted fence, trellis, gate or shutters will give | | | | Adding a tiered table or free-standing fountain. |
| emphasis to bright flowers when placed behind or near | | | | Hanging wind chimes from the patio ceiling or in |
| the flower bed. | | | | nearby trees. |
| Coordinating chair cushions, tablecloths and | | | | Comfort |
| umbrellas. | | | | Hammocks |
| Paint a back or side wall. This will accent your | | | | Benches, chaise lounges, chairs and ottomans |
| backyard landscape and give you a color break and | | | | Swings and gliders |
| interest as you look out the windows - it can even | | | | Gazebo |
| camouflage an unsightly view. The color of your plants, | | | | An added benefit of spicing up your patio design with |
| garden accessories and yard art will pop against your | | | | color, interest and comfort in mind: you bring the |
| newly painted wall. | | | | outdoors in, by creating an enjoyable view - not to |
| Are you tired of looking at that old garage or | | | | mention a visual extension of the space! And, a burst |
| woodpile from the back porch? Put up a wood fence | | | | of color, a birdhouse collection, statuary, the sound of |
| to block the view, paint it a bright color and plant your | | | | wind chimes and water will brighten your day. When it |
| favorite perennials in front. This can be fun and | | | | comes to decorating your outdoor spaces, the |
| functional at the same time. | | | | possibilities are endless. You can create the feeling of |
| Accessories | | | | an exotic getaway, a calm and quiet place or a lively, |
| Personalize your outdoor living space with either | | | | gathering spot right in your own backyard. |
| handcrafted or store bought items made from fabric, | | | | Have fun and be creative when decorating your |
| wood or metal: | | | | outdoor "room. |
| Statuary. | | | | |