How to bring the indoors outdoors

The great outdoors are looking more and more like the great indoors. That's thanks to a new trend developing in backyards all over the country that has the exterior space mimicking the interior's. The two rooms you're most likely to see outside? The dining room and living room.

"A lot of people are spending more time at home," says Gregory Galgano, patio manager for Robb & Stucky at Town Square. "Who doesn't want to add a few 100 or even 1,000 square feet to their living space?"

With the help of Galgano, we've put together a how-to on creating your own outdoor living space. Take a look.

WHAT'S THE FUNCTION?

First, you need to decide how you want to use the space. Will you go out there with a good book and a glass of wine from time to time or will Sunday dinners be served outside until Labor Day? Think about features that already occupy the space, too. If you have a pool, chaise lounges will come into play. If you have a barbecue grill, give the cook decent work space. And, if children will be a permanent fixture, you'll want to avoid furniture with sharp edges and glass dinnerware.

START HERE

Wide open spaces can be intimidating. Rather than tackle it all at once, Galgano recommends designing in phases. Which phase to take on first? The dining area. Everyone has to eat. Start with an outdoor dining table and chairs. If you're feeling especially creative, hunt for these at secondhand stores. A can of spray paint can make any old set feel new again. Look to colorful and printed seat cushions for a dose of personality and give the tabletop some flair with a summer-themed dish set.

THE OUTDOOR VERSION

Remember, you're dealing with an outdoor space so everything you put out here will be exposed to the sun, heat and possibly rain this summer. Make sure your furniture is built for the outdoors. Look for pillows and cusions made of closed-cell foam so it doesn't absorb moisture and anything electrical must be water-proof. "Everything we do in the interior, we can do with the exterior," says Galgano. Coffee tables, wall art, a cocktail bar -- all of it has an outside version. Even if you'd prefer to skip an outdoor fireplace, you might consider roasting marshmallows around a fire pit.

POPS OF COLOR

Don't forget the design element. Liven up your space with color accents, the same way you would inside. One of the most affordable ways is with place mats. It's easy to come by modestly priced sets at discount stores. Drapery is a great way to add aesthetic value while also lending some always welcome shade to a space. An area rug can set the tone for the entire outdoor room and accent pillows are another inexpensive option to splash some color into the picture.

THE LIGHTING

"I believe the exterior space should reflect what's going on in the interior," says Galgano. And, lighting is crucial when designing any space. Once the sun goes down, an entire different mood is set with the right lighting. The choices are just as diverse as you have inside. Outdoor chandeliers and standing lamps are gaining popularity, but you don't need to break the bank here. Chinese hanging lanterns and traditional lanterns both lend character. The most affordable option, however, is to go with candles, which create just the right ambience every time.