Look out your window and imagine spending cool summer afternoons and nights outdoors. No matter how narrow or small the available space, there is potential for creation of a dreamy open-air room. I have a huge yard; nearly an unruly acre that sneaks down a California canyon. But it is the narrow side yard, right outside of the kitchen and dining room that is my favorite spot. It is on the north side of the house and features a fern garden. This is my outdoor room.

The total area from the stucco wall of the structure to the fence separating us from our neighbor is a little over eleven feet and it runs for about thirty feet in length. Three feet of that width is taken up with a raised planting bed filled with various types of ferns, ginger plants and a seven-foot-tall rubber plant. That green screen is background to a sitting area and our dining table with umbrella. This is about the size of a balcony adjacent to an urban loft or a diminutive cottage yard.

Last year, I invested in an all weather area rug. Outdoor rugs are readily available at garden shops, discount retailers and online. The beauty of the synthetic rugs is that to maintain them you simply sweep and hose them off. They are mildew resistant and fade resistant. An area rug elevates the look of the sitting space to more closely mimic an interior room and everything from simple texture to swirling pattern is available. Technology has allowed textile manufacturers of all weather fabrics to offer soft-to-the-touch fabrics that look and feel like interior fabrics. There is a wide range of both patterns and colors now available that far surpass the original plainness of outdoor fabrics. Accent pillows can be as dramatic outside as those you use on the inside of the house, complete with outdoor rated fringe. You do need to take reasonable care with all outdoor fabrics and protect them during storms. It is not advisable to leave cushions out unprotected year-long.

This outdoor fireplace becomes the heart of the space. When you remember to include some way to heat the area you buy use in a wider range of weather situations. Know that there are also portable propane floor and table heaters, heaters that attach to the eaves of the house and fire pits. Be certain to check your local building codes before building an outside fireplace, taking special care with how far away from the house the chimney must sit and how far up it must extend.

I've also used my fence as an outdoor wall on which to display weatherproof art. I have several old iron gates mounted on the fence and wrought iron fragments hung randomly. There is a large metal bow that has now rusted appropriately and serves as the center point of twinkle lights gracefully swooping along the fence. Consider pre-lit umbrellas or a specialty umbrella light that installs at the top of your umbrella. There are also battery operated floor and table lamps available so that your outdoor room can function after dark.

Be realistic about how harsh the elements can be on outdoor furnishings. I like to hunt for unusual items to decorate with at garage sales and consignment shops so that I haven't invested a great deal. If you don't pay a lot for accent items, you won't be disappointed if they blow over and shatter or the dog shreds them. I've lost most of my patio furniture over the years to my dogs, but I bought it all secondhand knowing that my pups are destructive. Items like gazing balls, birdbaths, bird houses and hanging flower pots can be arranged for maximum interest. Treat your display space just as respectfully as you do your interior space. Avoid corny and cheap-looking yard "toys" and things that are in poor taste.

Know that when it comes to the anchor items such as your umbrella, table and seating, you do get what you pay for. For example, the kind of market umbrella that is suitable for use on a yacht can cost $6,000 versus a very inexpensive version from Big Lots for $59. However, the premier type is guaranteed to be resistant to salt air and the weather.

Photo Credit: NONE

Christine Brun, ASID, is a San Diego-based interior designer and the author of "Small Space Living." Send questions and comments to her by email at [email protected]. To find out more about Christine Brun and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.