That old patio or garden is starting to look a little old and dated. The flower beds really need to be dug up and redone. The shrubbery is starting to look a little scraggly. The deck may be starting to show the years even if you been careful to take care of it with yearly cleaning and scrubbing - even sealing it to protect against the elements. It happens even to the best of patios or garden areas. .What should you do? Of course the alternatives are almost endless, but here is a suggestion. Why not turn that outside space into an extension of your home by developing it into a number of different spaces or "outdoor rooms." Turn it into a true outdoor entertainment area.



These outdoor rooms have become extremely popular of late and if done with a little thought they can rejuvenate that old backyard beyond your wildest imagination. It's not that expensive and will add real value to your home. The secret is to plan ahead and have fun in the designing. It's easy to become your own "architect".

Here are a few design decisions you need to start with:

1.)Assess the space you have to work with. Will it allow you multiple areas that can have different themes or is the space smaller where it makes sense to have one living area? Make sure you sketch out the space with exact measurements so you can make sure you have a workable design when you're finished. Remember, if you're going to go for multiple areas they need to be large enough to hold a few pieces of outdoor furniture, but you're not trying to make areas as large as you're indoor rooms. If you have the space it's nice to have a larger area that serves as the focal point with smaller sitting areas off to the sides.

2.)Ok, with a layout in hand it's time to start considering what to use for the "flooring." Here again there are many possibilities. Grass, gravel, concrete or stone in various combinations will serve well. The idea is to use a variety of materials that will give contrast and texture to the area.

3.)The next thing to think about is how you will separate the different areas of your outdoor space. Here again there are many different choices that will provide a "soft" separation between areas. Consider alternatives such as bushes and hedges, a variety of plantings of different types and heights, and of course trellises. The use of pergola is becoming another very popular option for setting off an area.

4.)Once you have the layout designed, it's time to think about a focal point for each area. You should consider options like an outdoor fireplace, a water feature or table with a sitting area. A very popular option today is devoting an area to an outdoor kitchen complete with barbeque, counter tops and serving area. The possibilities are only limited by your imagination and of course the budget.

With these plans laid out the fun can begin. Now you can start selecting the pieces of furniture and other components that will transform your drab outdated patio area into a spectacular outdoor entertainment area. Have fun and enjoy.