Inside Out: Outdoor Rooms can extend our Homes

Every home decor magazine today seems to carry a piece about outdoor rooms. They became very popular a few years ago, and it seems that their popularity is here to stay. Some are now screened, especially those with fireplaces, which allows for all-year-round outdoor living. Energy efficiency is built into many screen doors and windows, both to keep the heat in and the cold out. People are even taking their cooking to the outdoors, with everything from a barbecue to a fully kitted out kitchen featuring in the new living space.

Dual-use furniture has created a new niche in the market, and it is only likely to be more popular as baby-boomers downsize. A coffee table can now expand to be a dining table, and an ottoman can be moved inside or out. Furniture items with a handcrafted look are very popular, as are one-off luxury items. However, the general market of outdoor furniture is growing every year, so people are not lacking in choices.

Source: Casual Living