Move outside where the living is easy (and fun)!

If the spring weather has you thinking about redoing your patio or lanai, it doesn't need to cost a fortune! Check out these tips from my Home Inspirations column in this weekend's News-Press.

Wrenda Goodwyn • special to the Fort Myers News-Press• April 30, 2011

 Tips for creating fun and functional outdoor living spaces

Relaxing southwest Florida lanai designed by Spectacular Spaces. At Spectacular Spaces we have always believed the outdoor space is as important as your indoor space.  It extends your living area, adds an additional room to your home and can be a cozy retreat.  Whether you have a small patio in a condo or apartment, a huge lanai with pool or a screened porch, it can be the favorite part of your home all year with these tips.  And it can be done affordably!  Think FUN! 

Come up with a plan. Do you want this to be an extension of your living area through open doors (use similar fabric and furnishings) or do you want it to be a separate nook apart from the living area (use wicker, antiques, eclectic collections).  How do you want the space to feel?  Tropical, beach cottage, contemporary, country, cozy, etc.   Determine your direction and have a plan before you start making purchases!

Furniture. Incorporate weather- resistant furniture: sofa, chairs, chaise lounges, dining table.  My favorites:  rattan sea grass, wicker, metal, mosaic table tops.  (Pottery Barn, West Elm, Aida Gray Home, Pier 1, Restoration Hardware).  Tip:  Think comfort.Source: West Elm.

Color: Tropical paint colors and fabric prints.  Tip:  This is your chance to do something a little different than anywhere else in your home.  Bright and tropical or more muted and subdued colors.  

Fabric: This is the most important element in any outdoor space.  There are so many wonderful all-weather fabrics that are fade resistant, mildew resistant and easy to clean.  Many Florida use these in indoor living areas as well as outdoors.  (Kravet, Kravet Soleil, Sunbrella, Kravet Green).  These are not the old-fashioned, stiff, outdoor fabrics.  They are beautiful, soft and practical.  Many are green and kind to the environment.  Trimmings for pillows and cushions also are available in performance fabrics for the outdoors.  Tip:  Hang drapes from ceiling to floor and tie them back with a beautiful trim.  Gives the space a sophisticated, romantic feel.  Also may be used for privacy and shade from the sun during the day.

Carpet: This really ties an outdoor area all together and works in any size space.  My favorites:  Raffia, sisal, commercial carpeting cut to size. (West Elm, Kravet, Home Goods, The Rug Company, ABC Carpet).   Tip:  An option to the carpet is to paint a portion of the outdoor area a color, do a creative border and put a coffee table, bench or eclectic antique in the center.  Voila!  There is your painted carpet. 

Lighting: You will want to use your outdoor space in the evening so in addition to lanterns and candles, incorporate landscape lighting in pathways, borders and in large pots around plants.  Solar lighting is a good, easy option.  (Ace Hardware, Lowes, Home Depot, Target).  Tip:  Add an outdoor chandelier over the outdoor seating or dining area! Romantic.

For patio ceilings: Benjamin Moore "Morning Glory."Paint: One of the most affordable ways to add some pizzazz to your outdoor space is with paint.  Some of my favorites:  Paint the ceiling Benjamin Moore Morning Glory and the walls  Atrium White.  Color combinations are endless and depend on the feeling you are going for, how the space is being used (extension of living area or separate area) and on the space and lighting.  Tip:  Benjamin Moore's White Collection (not really white and beautiful!) 

 Accessories: If space permits, you may want to incorporate a water feature for a soothing sound.(Lowes).  Also:  Colorful ceramic pots.  Ceiling fan.  Vases or buckets of flowers.

Wrenda Goodwyn is a Southwest Florida interior decorator. Visit her website at spectacularspaces.com. Call her at 949-1808 or e-mail wrenda@spectacularspaces.com. For more decorating tips and photos, visit spectacularspaces.com/blog.  Her monthly column, "Home Inspirations" appears in the News-Press on the last Saturday of each month.