Liven up your space with plant containers full of lush summer greens and florals. (Cheryll Gillespie)

 Regardless of size, outdoor spaces are the rooms ‘du jour’ this summer. After all, can you think of anything more relaxing than reading a good book in a hammock on the porch, or relaxing with friends on a backyard deck? A cool summer breeze, a great view and the scents of summer do more to renew the soul after a busy day than any other form of retreat.

 This summer, bring your daily living outdoors and make your deck or patio the most popular room in the house. Spread your style to any outdoor room, be it apartment balcony, summer gazebo, pergola, pool side cabana, covered porch or patio.

 Begin planning your outdoor room by defining the space it will occupy. Even if the space is surrounded by a railing, put down a canvas floor-cloth, area carpet (simply use a inexpensive synthetic carpet), or sisal rug.

 Next, ask yourself what activities will take place outside on your patio. Entertaining can be a breeze with an outdoor kitchen and dining area. Built-in grills and wood-burning fireplaces are easy add-ons for a backyard room, and on those hot summer nights you won’t have to heat up the house by cooking indoors. Today, popular outdoor kitchens include sinks, grills, steamers, woks and fryers. Include a outdoor fireplace, fireplaces provide great ambience and warmth as the summer days turn to chilly fall evenings and they are also great for roasting marshmallows.

 When planning furniture, remember that a four-foot diameter dining table requires a minimum nine by nine space. In a smaller space choose a bistro-sized table and chairs. Plan to arrange furniture to create intimate conversation areas with outdoor chairs, loveseats, coffee and end tables. Be sure every ‘seat’ is within arms reach of a table. If you plan to entertain outdoors consider a serving cart and exterior bar.

Today’s patio furniture is available in many styles and materials- wrought iron, wicker, wood, stone, concrete, and resin. Furniture placement and selection for your outdoor room is governed by the same attention to detail and design principles that we apply to indoor rooms.

To achieve a cozier space -- or for a little more privacy -- build some outdoor walls. A garden trellis, iron screens, even blinds and drapes can be used outside. If you are hanging drapes outside be sure to use a fabric specially coated for exterior use. Just as we work with a colour palette inside our homes, so should we for our outdoor rooms. Since this room is located outside we need to work with the exterior colours of the home. - you can ‘punch up’ the colour with the addition of cushions, tablecloths and outdoor accessories. Accessories and creative touches take any room from good to great; an outdoor room is no exception. It can never have enough candles; they are also good for keeping the bugs away. Be sure to place your candles at varying heights for good eye appeal- on the tables, on the floor, in the trees and a candelabra hung from an overhang is an elegant addition. Torches and lanterns scattered throughout the yard are effective and decorative light sources. You can also make wire holders for glass jars and suspend them from trees for a magical overhead lighting effect or, set votives in jars, and in tin cans with holes punched around the sides along walkways and throughout the garden.

 Along stairs or porch railings add a string of lights; they're sold in a wide range of colors and designs and are much like Christmas tree lights. Look for summer motifs such as pink flamingoes or hula dancers. Soften evening sounds by hanging melodic wind chimes from ceiling or posts.

Wall art (such as a mirror) or a collection of antique garden tools, grapevine wreaths, or straw hats can be artfully hung on exterior walls of the house. Bird baths and water fountains add soothing aquatic sounds. At night, floating candles in the water creates drama and romance.

Plant containers full of lush summer greens and florals. Terracotta, metal, ceramic, plaster, and wooden containers are decorative, functional and add texture to your room. Your living art should vary in height and texture. A large potted tree looks right at home in the corner of an outdoor room. Set a tall potted palm out on the deck and add Christmas lights to it for sexy, tropical appeal. A shallow container of ornamental grass is the finishing touch on the coffee table, while potted florals add colour and personality.

So bring on the lemonade! As we demand more from all our living spaces, the exterior of our homes is no exception. A functional and relaxing outdoor retreat is an opportunity to slow our pace and escape from the pressures of the busy world we live in. Deck out your exterior rooms in style and with deckadence.