The
The Agio 10-piece sling
set can be the centerpiece
of your patio.
GREAT OUTDOORS
Transforming your yard into a beautiful outdoor room
you want to live in that space, which depends
More and more homeowners are discovering the beauty of the outdoor on your lifestyle. Do you have children? Do
room—a transformation of a yard or garden space into a place for enter- you entertain a lot? Do you want to entertain
taining, eating or just relaxing. As with most home-improvement projects, adults? Do you cook?
several design do’s and don’ts should be considered for the best results. Water features are very popular and easy
The Connection asked Costco member Susie Coelho, a styling and lifestyle expert and to install. Options range from a simple bub- bler in a box that just plugs into an outdoor-
host of HGTV’s Outer Spaces, for some design tips and inspiration. rated extension cord to a more complex pond.
QRemember to match your water feature with
What are the overall principles your particular style. If it’s Zen you’re going
or considerations for setting up Q There are so many styles out there.
How do you choose the best one for for, don’t get a stone or concrete fountain with
Aan outdoor room? y Aour particular yard? a cherub on top!
You should start with a clear direction Consider your surroundings and the
by choosing a style or theme. It is style of your house. If you have a Span- In purchasing furnishings for your out-
important to visualize the overall look you ish house, a modern Zen yard might not flow Q door living space, what are some of the
want to create so that the choices you make well. Or if you have a sleek concrete house, Akey considerations? match your focus. What look are you going you might not want an English rose garden. Consider color, style and function. For for? A tropical paradise? What about Zen, Look through magazines and gather ideas, color, make sure your palette matches
English tea garden, country? Right away, then see which ones align with your yard your style.
these words conjure up images that you can or space. For style, list all of the elements that would
use to create your dream garden. Even with- be appropriate in this style of room. If it’s Zen, out being an expert, your experiences can Obviously, an outdoor space can vary choose very simple contemporary or Asian guide you. Q from simple to elaborate. What one or shapes. If it’s Moroccan, choose some lanterns,
Then you can choose your color palette. t Awo elements do you consider essentials? brass or interesting wood pieces. Stay fo- This is also key—there are so many things on Homeowners usually want an entertain- cused on your style and you can’t go wrong. the market that you will love. But which ones ing area and/or barbecue area (dining For function, look at your lifestyle. If you
will work for your particular outdoor room? room/kitchen), aseatingandlounge have kids, for example, you may prefer a
Your style or theme and co lor palette will area (living room/family wrought-aluminum patio set that has the look
help isolate your choices so that you are room) and water features. of wrought iron but is not as heavy. Then the
not overwhelmed in making decisions. I think that you should kids can pull the chairs in and out.
Approach your design as if approach design by
you were setting up a room deciding how From your work on Outer Spaces,
in your home with a sitting Q
Awhat do you see as exciting trends?
area, kitchen (barbecue) to People are living more and more out-prepare food, dining area, doors, no matter where they are in the
etc. Use soft goods such as S’mores, anyone? country. Homeowners want to maximize
pillows, curtains and throws This slate fire pit their living spaces, and after the inside is
to soften the hardscape of makes evening done they are ready to tackle the outdoors.
the backyard. fires easy. The trend is that the average homeowner can
