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Your patio can be tranquil, fun or minimal; the sky is the limit. See more pictures of decks and patios.
If you want to make your outdoor space more appealing, a little creativity and some planning is all you really need to get started. The big draws, fresh air and sunshine, are already in place, so putting the finishing touches on your space can be fun and relatively inexpensive. Hey, nature is doing most of the work for you here and you can't do much better than that. One thing you can bank on, if the weather's nice and you create a comfortable place to sit and relax, someone will make use of the space.
Big or small, refined or rustic, patios are getting lots of attention these days, and for good reason. Living al fresco gives you a bonus room for at least part of the year, and cooking outside during the summer months can cut down on your indoor cooling costs. People are going out less and entertaining at home more, and patio parties are a casual and easy way to entertain on a budget. After all, how can you resist a lifestyle that lets you take care of most of the clean up with a garden hose?
Decorating your patio gives you an opportunity to indulge the lighter side of your personal style too. You might never consider bright orange as a color for your indoor environment (or maybe you would), but outside, anything goes. Whether you're an intermittent smoker looking for a place to exhale, a bathing beauty looking for an even tan, or a devoted barbecue chef perfecting your signature marinade, the patio is a perfect place to tailor your space to meet your needs. Bring out your quirky collections, indulge your secret love of waterfalls or your serious dedication to sunning yourself like a harbor seal. Outdoor casual living is about fun and freedom. As long as the sun's shining, it's all good.
On the next few pages, you'll find ideas for adding practical touches, pure comfort, culinary flair, privacy and panache to your patio. First up, lets explore patio furniture.
