Houston Chronicle Sunday

Create the ideal outdoor living space

- By Christina Kooker

Autumn air brings just another reason to get outdoors and enjoy life. Fall is here, so it’s time to get in the spirit with style.

Creating a cozy outdoor living space can be both stylish and affordable. There are just a few fall decor must-haves when crafting an “al fresco” common area. Illuminati­on

Whether the illuminati­on shines from a gas fire pit or groups of strategica­lly placed candles, lighting both sets the mood and brings warmth to your outdoor experience. While traditiona­l string lights are synonymous with the holidays, you also can change up the style of string lights and make them a permanent fixture for a European vibe.

Lighting in any fashion will add to the ambience and can be done on many levels. Cozy up with color

Harvesting warm colors to match nature is exactly what you should do when designing your outdoor living space. Take a muted mustard color and make it pop against a rustic red.

Accent pillows, chargers, candles, throws and rugs are all places where you can play with pigments. It’s fun to accessoriz­e with color, as it’s not permanent and easy to move around. Create focal point

Pick one area in the outdoor living space on which to focus, and make it a place that really draws the eye. It could be as simple as an oversized plant, a piece of art or even furniture.

Make one part of the space something you’re proud of; something that makes you smile. It not only makes for a great talking piece, but also can make for a great picture backdrop. Gathering place

Within the outdoor living room or outdoor kitchen, have a place where three or more people can sit comfortabl­y.

Have a few billowy deep-set seats, a sofa with large pillows or even comfortabl­e barstools to belly up to the bar. Your guests will enjoy the surroundin­gs and remember the experience.

This article was provided by a member of the Remodelers Council of the Greater Houston Builders Associatio­n. The Remodelers Council is dedicated to promoting profession­alism and public awareness of the remodeling profession through education, certificat­ion and service to the Houston community. For informatio­n on this article, contact Lorraine Hart at lorraine@idealconsu­lting.net. To join the council or to find a profession­al remodeler in your area, visit www.ghba.org.

 ?? Photo courtesy of Texas Custom Patios ?? Pick one area in the outdoor living space on which to focus and make it a place that really draws the eye. It could be as simple as an oversized plant, art or even furniture like the hanging sofa shown.
Photo courtesy of Texas Custom Patios Pick one area in the outdoor living space on which to focus and make it a place that really draws the eye. It could be as simple as an oversized plant, art or even furniture like the hanging sofa shown.
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