Ask Deb Nelson: Your outdoor living space

Q) Hi Deb. We’re looking for some ideas on how to set up our backyard furniture. I have a table and chairs to set up as a dining area and some other chairs for the yard. Thanks!

A) It’s a great time of year to start spending more time outside and to set up your outdoor living space. The exterior materials and fabrics seem to be getting more durable, so hopefully your outdoor pieces can handle the spring elements.

Plan the space

It’s a good idea to start by looking at your outdoor area and decide how you want to use it. Whether you have a small balcony off an apartment or a large open backyard, you can set up the space to suit your needs.

Get specific

This might mean you allocate a spot for dining, relaxing or lounging. The eating area might be best served by being somewhat close to the house so it’s easy to bring things in and out.

Define the space

If you have a large open area you can define the space using groupings of furniture for each area. You can also use large planters and greenery, umbrellas, or outdoor rugs to help separate distinct areas.

Extend the season

An outdoor fireplace can add lots of ambiance and can make a nice focal point in a yard. A fireplace or even an outdoor propane heater can also extend the evenings and even the season, so you can enjoy your outdoor oasis even longer.

Designer tip: These days there’s a greater selection of outdoor accessories to choose from. You can find pretty outdoor fabrics to make colourful outdoor cushions and lots of options in durable, plastic dishes and glasses to use outside.