A big “in” today is outside. It’s all about creating an outdoor living space. And it’s more than simply adding furniture. Think outside the box – or rather, inside the home.

Furniture: This is the easy part. Sofas, chairs, coffee tables, bars and stools. Loungers, dining room tables and even buffets. Create the type of space you would want to use all year round, even if you can’t. Look for pieces that can provide storage as well as functional seating. Pub style dining tables provide a casual atmosphere while regular dining tables create a more formal appeal.

Fire: Extend the outdoor season by adding a fireplace. A wood-burning fire pit, chiminea or regular wood-burning fireplace will work beautifully in the North. Fire pits range from the simple “campfire” ring of stones to more elaborate ones that convert to a table. Mimic a traditional fireplace with a mantle outside to provide a real room look. Built-in or free-standing, a fireplace can create a focal point for the space.

Art: Hang a decorative metal piece and encourage vines to grow in and around it. Buy an inexpensive canvas print to hang on the wall. Look for unusual art pieces that will weather the elements and add an extra dimension to the space. Painted pots full of flowers and hung on the fence create a decorative and live art piece. Place a large mirror against a wall to reflect bushes and flowers on the other side of the “room”. Hang an ornate mirror on the fence behind some plants to make the space seem more lush.

Rugs: Outdoor rugs have come a long way from Astroturf. Add an area rug to the seating space to define and anchor the area. Furniture should touch the rug, or sit partly on the rug. A rug under the dining table should be big enough for chairs to move in and out easily on it. It you are paving or tiling the area, design a pattern or add another material like slate to create a permanent rug. Turn the boards in the deck different directions to define the different spaces.

Covers: Don’t forget to cover up. Consider a cantilevered umbrella to free up valuable table space and provide coverage for larger areas. Build a pergola and drape fabric from the cross bars to provide shaded spaces. Drapes hung on wire or metal curtain rods will dress the space and give it an elegant, southern feel. Lattice work above or built into a folding screen will also provide some privacy while allowing the sun shine to get through.

Accessories: The details make the space sing. Decorate your mantle with candles, flowers and a mirror. Potted plants on side tables feel like house plants, while a tall hardy palm plant in the corner adds texture. Use Bamboo poles in a large decorative urn. Mount an outdoor clock. Add colourful throw pillows, and consider floor pillows for additional casual seating.

So get creative and take it outside this summer.

Toronto-based interior designer Kate Hart has designed the insides of Northerners' homes, picking the right colours, cupboards and tables.