· Pull colors from a room adjacent to your backyard. Using colors borrowed from your living room or kitchen makes the entire space feel cohesive, Fiorio says. A unified color palette will make your interior room feel larger and make your outdoor room feel like part of the house.
· Define your space. An outdoor area rug will anchor the space and give your “room” a perimeter and walls, Fiorio says. Decorative fabric panels anchored in corners give a soft line and a sense of enclosure.
· Use unconventional materials. Outdoor art doesn’t only come in plaster or metal finishes any more, Fiorio says. Many online home and garden stores offer painted canvases, sconces and other outdoor art that look like they belong indoors but have durable finishes that can hold up to the elements.
· Use color and fabrics to dress up your space. Placing cushions on an outdoor sofa, settee or even a porch swing increases the feeling that your space is a room. Make sure the fabric and/or foam is intended for outdoor use. There are a wide variety of outdoor fabrics traditionally used indoors that have protective finishes, Fiorio said, and are meant to be used outdoors or in a covered room.
· Don’t be afraid to use lighting. General and ambient lighting in the form of overhead fans, outdoor chandeliers, and outdoor floor lamps work great in outdoor spaces, Fiorio said. Anything on a dimmer switch is a nice touch.
· Don’t forget to accessorize. Adding a big bowl, seashells or some type of plant will make your room look finished. Textured glass may be a better option than clear glass, which shows every speck of dust outside, Fiorio said.
