Dinner on the patio

My to-do list for this week includes moving the patio furniture outside and setting up our outdoor rooms. Does this mean that summer has arrived? Absolutely, and not a minute too soon for this summer-lovin' girl.

Gone are the days of picnic tables and uncomfortable woven aluminum chairs. Today's outdoor furniture is as stylish as any indoor furniture, and so are the spaces we call our outdoor spaces. If you need to shop for new furniture, your only challenge will be deciding on which of the many stylish pieces to bring home. Before you head to your local furniture or home store, ponder how you will use the space. By visualizing yourself enjoying the room, you will be able to focus your purchases and styling to perfectly fit your needs. When shopping for and arranging the room, start with the biggest pieces first: sofa, love seat, lounge chairs and dining table. Buy as you would an indoor piece — for quality, style, durability and colouring.

Once the large pieces are determined, commit to the smaller pieces with these things in mind:

• End tables and umbrellas. Even at night an umbrella will provide ambience and keep you dry in the event of light rain.
• Mix and match — like with our indoor spaces, you should never be too predictable.
• Pay attention to lighting, music, rugs (yes, you can buy rugs designed for outdoor use) and accessories.
• Lighting an outdoor room is an often-overlooked element. Outline the spaces by placing streams of light on the hedges around the yard, and by adding ground lighting, table lights, fire light, candle light and even a hanging chandelier.

Outdoor spaces can be truly magical with the right pieces, styling and a little creativity. Look for the opportunity to add personal, magical touches. And don't forget a patio heater. It still gets a little chilly in the evening.