By: Yayie O'Brien

Decorating your outdoor space is as important as decorating your interior space. It requires just as much structure as an indoor space would.

Like your interior space, the first thing you must determine is the color scheme for your outdoor space. You may want to consider making your outdoor space seem like an extension of your home interior decor. This can be accomplished by continuing with the same color palette as you did indoors. This is especially important if your outdoor space is directly connected.

However, if your outdoor space is entirely separate from your living space, such as a patio area around a pool, then you can create a palette which is entirely different from your interior color scheme.

Now that you have decided on your color scheme, it's important to determine the primary functions of your outdoor space. You need to decide on what elements you would like to incorporate into your space. Ask yourself, what are your primary needs in this space? Will you be needing a comfortable dining area and a conversation area with a view? Or do you just want to create the perfect area for relaxation?

Once you've decided exactly how you will use your outdoor space, it's time to decide on furniture. Depending on your budget, there are numerous choices for outdoor furniture, including plastic furniture, wood, glass, wicker and wrought iron furniture. The possibilities are endless.

Now that your furniture selection is complete, using your color scheme as a guide, add elements such as a market umbrella that coordinates with your furniture selection, to shade your dining area. You might consider the use of an outdoor area rug to further define your dining area. New materials and fibers are now being used to create colorful area rugs which resist fading and mildew.

Outdoor surfaces tend to be hard and inflexible. To make your outdoor space seem cozier, add fabrics using natural materials in your cushions, pillows and rugs. This will add warmth, color, and comfort. These elements are necessary to create a cozy ambience for your outdoor oasis. This is also a great way to bring in some patterns and textures.

It's now time to, accessorize your dining space by adding colorful plastic plates, glassware, place mats and candle holders in coordinating colors. This will create an inviting and beautiful table for you and your guest. Don't forget the fresh flower arrangements.

Next, think walls and other structural elements to create and provide intimacy and comfort. Floors, walls and even ceilings can all be created inexpensively. Imagine what you can do with a simple wood or plastic trellis, which can be purchased quite inexpensively.

Envision hanging small pots filled with colorful flowers from ornamental hooks. This will instantly dress up your trellis creating the illusion of a wall and providing a space for wall art. In addition to flower filled pots you can add votive holders to your trellis using candles in coordinating colors. This will not only add beauty and stimulate the senses but will also provide lighting for your evening entertaining.

It's time to bring on the accessories! Consider adding an arbor which you can be accessorized with climbing roses, ivy or any other plants or flowers you like. This would create a grand entrance to your outdoor retreat. Consider using potted plants, garden ornaments, outdoor figurines, decorative garden stakes and candles throughout the space for balance and uniformity.

You may also consider adding a water feature such as an outdoor fountain, to your outdoor space. The trickling sounds of water provide a peaceful feeling for your outdoor room, and the reflective quality of still water serves as a mirror, effectively doubling even the smallest outdoor space. Consider adding some melodic wind chimes this will definitely contribute to the look and feel of an outdoor oasis for your space.

To provide more evening ambiance, you might consider adding a Mexican clay chiminea (outdoor fireplace) or metal fire bowl. These outdoor fireplaces serve multiple purposes. They not only create a focal point for your outdoor seating area ,but they also provide ambient light and warmth on chilly nights.

The possibilities to outdoor decorating are endless. This is your opportunity to find the look that works for you and more importantly a look that stimulates in you the feeling of relaxation.

Your outdoor space is a great place to consider using the Eclectic style of decorating. When in doubt this style is the way to go, and probably the style that best describes most of us. Eclectic is a combination of everything, with the use of lots of color, lots of texture and minimal rules. However, make sure that your color combinations are well coordinated. In future articles we will get into more details about Eclectic styles of decorating. Honestly, this is probably the style that best describes my own home decor and one that I believe works best when decorating outdoors.

This is the time to stock up on all your outdoor decorating needs for next season.