Creating outdoor living space
Ceilings not always required...

Wow! I could definitely sit here! This is a good example of a well-planned outdoor living space.

---

One of the nicest things about living in the country is the ability to enjoy time spent outside.

This is not to say that those in the city or suburbs do not - the environment is just different when the sky is completely dark, you can hear no noises other than crickets, birds, and bullfrogs (which are VERY LOUD by the way), and you have no neighbors coming and going, or playing stereos, or whose children are bouncing basketballs, etc., etc.

I spend a lot of time working outside but once and awhile I do like to just sit down. When I first brought my property, sitting in the weed-filled driveway was about the only option since the other side of the house sits right on the edge of a lake! No landscaping had been done and in fact, normal yard maintenance had not been managed for the past 5 years or so. Time to regain some control over the yard and make some of it outdoor-living compatible.

No walls required either!

Fortunately, there are many ways to add effective living space to your home without ripping down walls, or building new. Awnings and atriums are the first changes or additions many think of when the need to move out a little comes to mind - but these are often not inexpensive options.

---

Porches and decks are great for adding useable space to your home but again, unless you are a general contractor yourself and have no great hassle in your area regarding building permits, etc., you may find this is more of a project than you really want - just to gain a little quality space outside.

Decorating your outdoor living space used to mean a charcoal grill, whatever lawn chairs still had intact webbing, and maybe a picnic table. Outdoor rooms now borrow many components of the kitchen, dining room, and sometimes resemble a health spa with a water feature or hot tub...your own personal vacation resort.

Outdoor kitchens are offering a range of alternatives including gas ranges, rotisseries, pizza ovens, sinks, faucets and countertops. These can be awesome ways to move entertaining outside if room inside is at a premium...but the cost of these new living spaces can also be premium.

---

How about some alternatives?

You can start small with a great idea and grow the project as funds and the energy to implement are available. Check out some of these easy and inexpensive ideas below:

 

Bar Harbor Rattan Dining Set

Here's a little idea from Plow & Hearth - one of my favorite online merchants.

Notice the placement of this table on a decorative rug...adds a designer touch to a simple design.

*Hint: Click on the Tasting Table link to the left and you will be sure to have the gourmet recipes you need to do justice to ANY of these outside living settings! It's FREE !

Rattan Dining Set is made of durable, long-lasting, whole-core rattan woven on a solid wood frame. Table has a thick, beveled glass top. Side Chair and Arm Chair cushions have a soft, poly-fiber core in a sage fabric. Imported. Furniture Finishes available in Brown Stain or Cream Painted. Cushion in Sage only.

Sizes:
Table is 32" dia. x 29"H Glass Top is 42" dia.
Side Chair is 23" x 19" x 37"H Arm Chair is 23" x 23" x 37"H

Bar Harbor Rattan Dining Set

---

Venetian Pergola

What's not to like about this additional space?

Place this 10' x 10' pergola in a garden or lawn to define a sitting area, or use it on your deck or patio to increase shade and add an attractive architectural element.

Since the Venetian Pergola is made of vinyl, you won't have to worry about the maintenance associated with wood structures. The white finish stays beautiful with just an occasional rinsing, and you'll never have to worry about rot or insects destroying the structure. Each 5" x 5" post offers plenty of support, and steel reinforcements make the cross slats extra strong. The premium vinyl also offers an excellent surface for your climbing plants to create color, texture and shade.

Each pergola comes with a 20-year warranty. Assembly requires common tools and two people.

Venetian Pergola

---

Venetian-Style Backless Garden Bench

Long-Lasting, Maintenance-Free Finish

A classic silhouette and stylized details make this bench a timeless addition to your garden, porch or patio. Beautifully styled accents are inspired by the metalwork seen throughout Venice. Perfectly sized for a variety of locations and uses. Tubular steel with a powder-coat finish. Assembly required.

Size: 45 x 17 x 26"H

Venetian-Style Backless Garden Bench

---

Slate Personal Fireplace

You must admit this is really pretty and a perfect size and price for a small outdoor room...

Add a warm, flickering centerpiece to a table or line a walkway with our exclusive Slate Gel Burner. Made of solid, natural slate, it holds clean-burning gel fuel canisters that can be used indoors or out. Polished stones included.

Size: 10-1/2" x 7-1/2"H

Slate Personal Fireplace

---

Here are a few more items to help make your outdoor living space special!

From heart stones to garden fairies to prism lanters...use these items to customize your new outdoor living space - make it truly your own!