Decorating an Outdoor Room

When choosing furniture and decor for your deck, think about "open rooms" that "flow from the interior of a house to the outdoors", similar to the exotic outdoor rooms found in the Caribbean and in Africa. If your deck is covered and somewhat protected from the elements, you actually have quite a bit of freedom in selecting decorative items to use. Begin by taking stock of the furnishings that you now have on your deck. If the chairs are not comfortable to sit or relax in, move them to another area or purchase new cushions in weather resistant upholstery fabric. The colors, prints and feel of these outdoor fabrics are beautiful and can be difficult to tell from the upholstery fabrics used inside your house. If your local fabric store denote carry outdoor fabric in their regular stock, they may have sample books from which you can order yardage.

Inexpensive wood furniture is also a perfect choice for covered outdoor areas. After applying a clear coat of varnish or similar product, the wood will be safe from most of the humidity and blowing rain. Even a covered deck will not completely protect wood furniture, however, second hand wood furniture works and looks great.

Once you have comfortable seating and at least one table in place on your deck, add details to complete the look, just as you would when decorating a room inside your house. Some decorative items that will complete your outdoor room are:

• Area rugs in an acrylic fiber that will hold up to the dampness of the outdoors. These rugs come in many different styles, from solid colors to faux oriental designs. Added bonus - they are really inexpensive and easily cleaned with the garden hose!
• Stack magazines, use candleholders and place coasters on side tables.
• Throw pillows upholstered in weather resistant fabric will add color and softness. Place them on chairs and even toss a few oversized ones on the area rug.
• Leave a cotton throw across a chair for cool late summer and fall evenings.
• For special get-together's, bring out your fine silver, china and linens.