Ideas for an Outdoor Room on a Budget

Outdoor rooms refer to any space outside of the home that has a great deal of exposure to sunlight or fresh air--and which is usually furnished. Common outdoor rooms refer to spaces such as a porch, patio, gazebo, sun room or greenhouse. You can decorate these spaces in a memorable way that won't break the bank.

Curtains

Curtains hung around the sides of a gazebo or a pergola give the space not only an instant sense of privacy but of coziness. This is a suitable design idea for people who live in areas where the nights are cool but where it rains infrequently, such as the southwestern United States. The curtains will prevent chilly night breezes and possibly prolong parties and other social gatherings. You can use any type of fabric you like, as different fabrics will create different effects. Rich, heavy fabric will give you a strong sense of opulence whereas light, diaphanous fabric will blow gracefully in the wind. The curtains will also make it truly feel like a room.

Flea Market Art

Artwork is a great way to give an elegant sense of the indoors to an outdoor space. The basic, unfinished or austere white of the sides of a porch or gazebo make a striking backdrop for paintings. At the same time, by hanging art bought at bargain prices at yard sales and flea markets, you don't have to worry about what the elements could possibly do to your paintings over the years.

Eating

No matter what type of outdoor room you're dealing with, you should create a space for eating. You don't need to spend hundreds on the latest patio set from a high-end home furnishings store. Visit thrift stores and yard sales and purchase a small old table. Look for a round one with two or three chairs of a matching size. Put a quilt or a sheet over the table and give each chair a throw pillow. You now have a cozy spot for breakfasts, lazy Sunday brunches or an afternoon tea.

Doorway

Another simple trick to make your outdoor space feel more like a room is to add a type of doorway. This will help give makeshift boundaries to the perimeter of the space. You can easily do this by adding a trellis or an arbor to act as a welcoming entrance. Furthermore, if you garden you can encourage climbing plants like ivy or morning glories to wind around these structures.

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