Q. We are thinking of creating an outdoor living room for dining and entertaining. Do you have any decorating ideas for outdoor rooms?

A. Outdoor rooms have been a nationwide trend in the last few years. Whether it is a patio or a deck, protection from the elements is a must here in Montana. Other considerations for your outdoor space are as follows:

Style Decorate your outdoor space as if it was an extension of your living room. If your home is French country in style, try to maintain that style in your outdoor room. If you are unsure as to your current decorating style, pick a theme. Some of the more popular ones are the relaxed Tuscan look with lots of terracotta pots overflowing with herbs and painted furniture with copper accents or a tropical look with very bright colors and palm trees.

Comfort

The more comfortable the furnishings the more you and your quests will want to sit and relax in your outdoor room. Patio furniture has come a long way in the last couple of years; fabrics are waterproof and fade-resistant. You can now buy furniture that is as plush as your living room sofa for use outdoors. Other items now available for the outdoors include a bar with bar stools, waterproof acrylic rugs and aluminum paintings.

Furniture Arrangement

The rules for furniture arranging inside your home still apply outside. Place your furniture into intimate groupings. You may have as many as three or four different groupings on one patio.

Ambiance

Set the mood in your outdoor space by adding soft decorative lighting and candles. The sound of trickling water from a fountain will also add atmosphere. A fireplace or a fire pit accomplishes two goals here in Montana; it provides heat for those chilly evenings and can be your main focal point for the outdoor room. Potted plants and flowers will add beauty and scent.