Outdoor rooms are popular for good reason. They're easy to design, provide a tranquil getaway from the hustle of daily life, and offer all the comforts of interior spaces. Even if your budget is tight and your space small, you can carve out a little oasis for you and your loved ones. Just follow these four simple guidelines:

Step 1: Set the Scene

The first thing to do when creating an outdoor room is to pick the right location. A covered porch or patio is a natural choice. However, sometimes it's nice to create a space farther away from buildings and the commotion of others. Feel free to look for an unused yet inviting spot under a tree in the garden or in a private side yard.

Step 2: Add Walls, a Ceiling and a Floor

No contractor required! You can easily add a sense of boundaries and privacy without spending big bucks. On a porch, use inexpensive fabric panels or hanging planters to create a private wall. In the garden, opt for trelliswork, evergreens in planters or a row of hedges. A ceiling can be as simple as a vine-covered arbor, the extended branches of trees or the brilliant blue sky. Grass, gravel, paving or decking make a perfect floor. My favorite technique to dress up a plain concrete floor is to paint a faux area rug over it. Clean the concrete first, stencil and paint your rug using masking tape and house paint, and then seal the design with an exterior-grade polyurethane.

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Step 3: Furnish and Accessorize

Even a simple chair tucked in a quiet corner can make your oasis special. Consider resin or aluminum furniture to keep costs down. Plastic or resin chairs can be spray-painted with specialty products to give them a more upscale look. Add a table for those glasses of lemonade. Don't be afraid to bring traditional decorating items into your rooms. Pillows, throws and candles all make charming and useful additions, and add comfort to your space. If your room is open to the elements, you can either purchase weather-resistant fabrics or bring your items indoors during bad weather. Remember, you are in an outdoor room, so decorate with nature! Flower-filled planters, garden signs, and even old tools, birdhouses and watering cans are at home in an outdoor space.

Step 4: Light Up the Night Sky

To make your special spot really magical, add some lighting. To create a nighttime glow, wrap white holiday lights around tree branches, mark off your space with tiki torches and candles, and accent pathways and steps with solar lights.

Follow these easy steps and you'll create a warm and welcoming outdoor space as appealing as any interior room!

About Our Expert
Kathy Wilson is a home and garden writer, author and consultant. Visit her sites, The Budget Decorator and The Garden Glove, for more home and garden ideas.