WHEN YOUR
FAVORITE ROOM IN
THE HOUSE ISN'T IN
THE HOUSE AT ALL
PATIOS AS OUTDOOR LIVING ROOMS

BY ELAINE WALL

If you still have folding chairs, a picnic table and a charcoal grill on your backyard patio, it’s time to update your notion of outdoor living.

For today’s homeowners, outdoor space is an important amenity that extends entertainment possibilities or provides a relaxing retreat. This lifestyle trend has spawned lavish outdoor rooms with built-in kitchens, fire pits, water features and furniture fashionable enough for upscale living rooms. Lynn Eldred of Summer Classics says, “People want outdoor living spaces with the same comfort and quality as indoors.”

And they want a similar look. Rick Blasius of Greenhouse Mall explains, ”Homeowners often mix wood, synthetic wicker and aluminum pieces depending on the area of use. Styles are really eclectic now.” Eldred agrees: “There’s a wide variety of options for customers.”

Start at ground level
Flooring has gone natural, with slate and flagstone as popular choices. If you have a concrete slab, staining or stamping techniques will give it a contemporary look. Gently curving shapes also lend an organic feel that blends better with gardens and other landscape elements.

Looking lavish
“People want easy transitions from indoors to outdoors, from covered to uncovered spaces.” says Eldred. “They’re choosing styles and fabrics that coordinate different living areas.” Deeply cushioned love seats, armchairs, swivel rockers and gliders around coffee tables or fireplaces create cozy chat groups. “Technology has created better fabrics and finishes that withstand most weather conditions, so you can put nicer things outside than before,” says Blasius.

Outdoor wicker is a favorite for cushioned seating, and newer materials make it practical as well as beautiful. Woven from resin strands on aluminum frames, the material holds up well in sun and rain while still having the look and feel of traditional wicker. A resin wicker lounge chair in the Detron Collection from Summer Classics recently won an industry award for its durability and style.

Other materials used include aluminum and wrought iron; pieces are softened and accessorized with colorful cushions or pillows. Cedar and teak, two weather resistant and aromatic woods, are also popular, along with cypress and Brazilian cherry. Log furniture and Adirondack chairs lend a rustic appearance to pools and open spaces. Resin tables in earth tones mimic wood or sandstone, and styles in a granite- resin mixture may feature hand-painted accents or mosaic insets. Glass and stone (real or faux) make lovely and durable table tops.

Pub-style dining sets in bar heights or bistro sets are great for poolside entertaining or keeping cooks company near outdoor kitchens. Clean, contemporary styling that’s fresh and functional is in demand, although transitional and traditional looks remain compatible with many architectural designs.

Jazz it up
Outdoor fabrics boast plenty of color and pattern. Rich tones coordinate nicely with woven furniture. Terra cotta and henna are among Greenhouse Mall’s best sellers, says Blasius. Botanical inspired designs with tropical motifs reflect a Caribbean theme, while exotic patterns and textures are trendy. When using neutral tones, accessories such as outdoor rugs, lamps, wall hangings, candelabras and umbrellas create pop and excitement. “People are detailing more than in the past,” Eldred says. There’s so much to choose from, including elegant dinnerware on which to serve gourmet meals.

Cushions for today’s leisure furniture are made of solutiondyed acrylic fabrics with advanced filling materials that dry fast while staying as soft and comfortable as their indoor counterparts. “We find people with young children or pets use these pieces indoors because they’re so easy to care for,” Eldred says. With modern collections, you can mix and match fabrics and frames to create personal themes.

Making choices
While technological advances allow low maintenance, tasteful finishes and extra durability, the most sophisticated materials and designs bear price tags similar to fine indoor furnishings. Budget-conscious homeowners can choose powder-coated steel or aluminum frame patio furniture that’s available from mass retailers. Improvements in technology enable vendors to offer stylish resin pieces with textured looks and imitation natural finishes at lower price points. Pieces resistant to rust and sun damage are now the norm although they won’t have the guarantees that come with higher-quality furniture.

Whatever furnishings you choose, let your imagination soar. Dress up your outdoor living room with candles, wall accents, table accessories and decorative pots of flowers. Maybe your favorite room won’t be indoors at all.