Trends in Outdoor Living

Now is the time to invest in your homes out door spaces! Spending quality time out side enjoying a great book or visiting with friends is like nothing else. It is truly an investment in yourself and, of course, will increase the value of your home. This year I have seen a few new trends in outdoor living spaces and I wanted to share some of the ideas with you!

-Lighting....I am so excited to get home from our trip because Justin has arranged to have a vintage chandelier that he found at a sale installed from a tree branch that

crosses over the center of our outdoor table. This simple and inexpensive trick will give our table even more charm and make it feel like a room of it's own. Here is a photo! You could look for fixtures at locals sales or shops like Smith and Hawken or even IKEA.

-Upscale Kitchens....Go the extra step to build in your grill. You won't believe how easy and affordable it is to build a countertop and surround for your grill and convert it to an upscale outdoor kitchen. You could install it yourself or ask a contractor. Check out the one that Justin put into our back yard using Tejas Textured Stone.

-Drapery....If you have a covered area or cabana your should warm up the space by adding some outdoor drapery. I like the simple and affordable ones offered by Ballard Designs. They will truly frame off the room and also add a coziness factor! It really gives your outdoor room that polished look.