One of the best ways to expand your living area is to make your patio and deck more a part of your home. There are several alternative ways to include your deck as a living space and the various options are dependent, in a large part, on the type of weather conditions you experience year round. In southern climates where the temperature remains moderate in the winter months there is a greater opportunity to use outdoor decks and patios year round, while in colder northern climates the patio space may be enclosed and insulated into more of a sunroom for year round use.

Even if you only want to use your patio and deck over the summer months and leave it completely open, there are some quick and inexpensive ways to make it an extension of your living space. One of the biggest components to patio living is to have comfortable and functional furniture, not just rely on the standard folding lawn chairs and loungers. There are a wide number of very elegant looking patio and deck sets now available that include glass top tables, lovely colorful table umbrellas and substantial wood, metal or heavy plastic chairs. These patio sets add a touch of elegance and class but can also be fun and festive, depending on the theme you are planning.

To make your deck space even more homey and appealing, why not add a chimenea? These are typically terra cotta, metal or aluminum and are a free standing round shaped small fireplace that is mounted on a wrought iron stand. They burn wood or charcoal and provide a gentle heat and a warm atmosphere on chilly nights. If you are using a chimenea on a deck or wood patio surface be sure to place a fireproof barrier such as a thin sheet of metal or a special fireplace mat to prevent sparks from the burning wood from damaging the deck's surface.

Many people are now building serving areas and grills right into the deck design. This provides both a cooking and serving area on the deck for those that do a lot of entering or outdoor grilling. The surface of these areas can be natural brick or even ceramic tile for easy clean up and washing. The handy area can also double as a bar or a side area for snacks and buffet style meals. The bottom part of the cooking area can be used for storage and can be completely weatherproofed with self-sealing doors and drawers.

To add the finishing touch consider adding some fanciful, dramatic or just practical lighting options. Torches are a great idea for creating atmosphere as well as repelling bugs and mosquitoes with the use of citronella oils, but candles, sconce lighting or even hanging strings of lights in keeping with the theme also contribute to the versatility of the deck.