Today's garden decor is more of an extension of your living space. Versatile outdoor spaces can be used for dining and lounging with family members, as well as entertaining guests. Decorating your garden for these functions gives you a fabulous alternative to the traditional dinner party! With the wonderful new garden decor trend of creating an outdoor kitchen and dining/living area you are expanding your square footage and increasing your home value. According to "Smart Money" magazine, consumers who spend 5 percent of the value of their home on landscaping can expect to add 15 percent or more to its value. Entertaining trends are following suit with the garden decor trends. Themed garden parties and of course the traditional American Barbeque is all the rage. It's very easy and affordable to double your living space.

Add a few comfortable weatherproof chairs, an unused table, paint a lasting rug to your patio and you are on your way to doubling your living space or be inventive…Create a grass couch, table and loveseat, using a wood structure covered in sod. Be creative in your garden decor. Center your living/dinning space close to your “kitchen” area. In 2004 alone 14.5 million grills were sold, so that along with a small refrigerator, a prep/serving table and you have just achieved an inexpensive outdoor kitchen. You can always build a more defined structure encompassing built in appliances. Use your imagination and remember your garden decor is a refection of you and your family.

Adding a canopy or fire pit will make a wonderful addition to the completion of your garden decor. Create different rooms outside by separating the areas by plants, screens, and trellises. Place a fire pit in one corner away from all flammables, of course and place some place a few chairs around, to create a wonderful area to tell ghost stories and roast marshmallows. Use a canopy in another area and place an outdoor bed or picnic table under it and this will create a place to lounge in a shaded area and enjoy your garden. Trends are gearing towards mimicking your home outside. So duplicating your living spaces outside is an important aspect to your garden decor.

Adding life to your garden decor is also an essential part. There are many different ways to accomplish this. Make it a project for your whole family. Incorporate a vegetable and herb garden, pond or Butterfly garden to your garden decor. Nothing improves your garden more than the use of plant life, trees, native plants, perennials or annuals. Just make sure that they will survive your climate. Ask your local gardening store for assistance with your selection.

Ensure that your garden decor includes fragrant plants to enhance your outdoor experience. A Butterfly Garden is a perfect avenue to take. Not just beautiful plants to view, but an outdoor lab for your children to explore. Chose a sunny spot and include plants such as Lantana, zinnia, coneflower, butterfly bush and abelia. Butterflies especially love clusters of small tubular flowers. Some species enjoy fennel, parsley, dill, and rue which is a wonderful gateway to incorporate an herb garden. Adding a few of the fragrant plants will assist in drawing in birds bringing in even more life and color to your garden. Interjecting a birdhouse and a water source into your garden decor will ensure that the birds will come back and will provide hours of entertainment.