Treat outdoor space with as much care as interior decor

Spring has sprung, and thoughts of the outdoors are foremost on our minds. When we think of the outdoors, visions of sun, flowers, lawns and rocking chairs begin to appear. Why is it then that most outdoor spaces such as porches, balconies and loggias are left to chance and often turn out like the front porch of "Sanford and Son"?

Outdoor spaces are often overlooked as spaces worth decorating. Sometimes it's the result of leftover furnishings or a lack of care; other times it's just a lack of imagination or a reliance on a patio "set" bought from a catalog. It's just not enough, and you are left with a space that is blah.

When approaching the decor and design of your outdoor areas, think of them as just another interior space or as an extension of your home. The style of your home's interior should carry into the outside. The more you imagine yourself living in the space and designing it the greater the chance you will use it.

That said, the outdoors require special considerations because of the variable effect of the weather. Things such as mold-resistant fabrics, appropriate woods and materials that are able to fair well in the weather must be taken into account. Your location will determine many of these issues. Your considerations will change if, for example, you are designing an uncovered patio or a partially protected balcony.

Uncovered outdoor areas, of course, should be furnished with outdoor furniture made from aluminum, woods and plastics. Other areas that are covered but still outdoors can take advantage of more interior-type furnishings. The latter type of space can blur the boundaries between inside and outside. Painted furniture and bamboo really do the trick for these outside spaces.

Just like when designing an interior space, consider adding color to your walls if your architecture or property permits. In some instances, your wall color will help you define and inspire your decor. If you are not able to paint the walls, there are other ways to bring color to your outdoor space. One way is to hang outdoor art. Yes, there is such a thing. These are artworks that are specifically made to resist the elements. Plastic-coated art prints in synthetic materials, Plexiglas-mounted photographic prints, and let us not forget sculpture, which is made from materials ranging from stone to fiberglass.

With the advent of recycled materials and technology, outdoor/indoor materials have come a long way. Rugs and textiles are now available in a wide variety of designs and textures, some of which work in the outdoors. Manufacturers and mills have endeavored to produce inside-type materials such as chenille, velvet and faux-suede that are strong enough to weather the outdoors. These innovations make decorating outdoor spaces much easier than in the past. Rugs from dhurries to Orientals are now manufactured specifically for the outdoors.

Don't shy away from drapes or sheers for your outdoor rooms, either. With details such as these, your spaces will look so good that you may do a double-take. Are you inside, or are you in the great outdoors?

• Joseph Pubillones is the owner of Joseph Pubillones Interiors, an award-winning interior design firm based in Palm Beach, Fla.

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