Outdoor living: How to create an outdoor room

There’s a whole world of outdoor furniture and accessories out there durable enough to withstand anything Mother Nature lets loose. Whether you have a small terrace or a sweeping backyard, contributing design editor Christine Hanlon picks the best of the crop to make the most of your outdoor living space.


The look
Inspired by the traditional courtyards of Europe, this look is elegant and tailored and possesses old-world charm and romantic details. Think formal clipped hedges, ornate fountains, wrought-iron garden benches and stone pathways. When choosing furniture for your space, look for sets with neoclassical motifs, such as X-backs or scrolls. Accessorize with clay planters filled with boxwood and ivy, hurricane lanterns and whimsical elements like garden fairies or gnomes.