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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, May 18, 2017 | 38 a n n * p i t t t m n f i m n n ^ g i r r T i i t Add living space to your home with a patio makeover Everyone looks forward to a shift into summ er mode, with its sun-soaked days, fl ower-scented breezes and velvety nights under the stars. Now's the tim e to take advantage of a golden opportunity right outside your door. Celebrate summ er and all it offers by rec reating your outdoor space. Whether it's a balcony, a patio or a deck, a few touches are all you need to turn it into a highly func tional living space. When done right, a patio makeover is like a boost to your home's square footage of living space w ithout straining your wallet. Think of the patio as a summ er room, and the possibilities really open up. One approach to making your summer room perfect is to sta rt by thinking of your needs and what you love to do. If you could add any room to your home, what would it be, and what would you use it for? Your summ er living room Transform any outdoor space into a re laxing oasis that's perfect for unwinding and summ er daydreams. Your key piece is a comfortable outdoor couch you can really sink into. It's always best to sta rt with a neutral-co loured cushion, then work the accessories and accent pieces, including side tables, brightly coloured throw pillows and outdoor lanterns to make the space feel extra hom ey ju s t like an authentic living room. These decor pieces can be easily and affordably switched out year-over-year to make your outdoor space feel fresh and new. With an easy assembly gazebo, you can also keep the space cool and comfortable in the heat of the day. your patio as an outdoor cooking station that's ready to go whenever you're ready to s ta rt cooking. Set up a sturdy table for prepping veg gies and m eats and a selection of light weight, outdoor serving dishes. The variety of colours and designs are endless and add to the space aesthetic. Just as you would indoors, make sure the surface is clean before you get started. Use colourful crates to keep grilling tools, potholders and outdoor dishes and glassware organized and handy. Finally, pick up some bright-coloured pots that match your decor style and plant rosemary, parsley, basil and other herbs so they're within easy reach to add fresh fl avors to your grilled fl sh and chicken, as well as those tasty summ er veggies. These potted plants also make for beautiful, easy centerpieces. Your summer dining room Dining outside is a fun and relaxing way to enjoy food as well as the company of your family and friends. When you choose a patio table, choose one with ample seating, and keep things comfortable and colourful with waterproof cushions. Umbrellas can throw shade on a sun-drenched deck or patio, making daytime dining (or your morning cof fee time) more pleasant and easy on the eyes. If you're looking for something different, a patio umbrella outfitted with lights on the underside will let you linger over dinner lon ger. Creating beautiful outdoor spaces can be easy, but it also doesn't have to break the budget. (BPT) Finally, if your patio faces an open or pub lic area, a row of evergreens planted in large colourful pots will transform it into an inti mate space with a perfect touch of nature. Your summ er party room With the right pieces, you can set the scene for any gathering of friends and fam ily. Start with ample seating. Add to the tra ditional living room setup with an outdoor cushioned bench, and position some ac cent chairs and tables in a nook or two for conversation clusters. A patterned outdoor rug also helps to delineate spaces on a large patio or deck. A fi re pit always creates a natural cen terpiece and gathering spot. Some designs take this up a notch and incorporate the soft glow of fl re right into a tabletop, mak ing it easy to ta lk long into the summer night. As a finishing touch, be sure to have a wireless speaker and playlist ready to set the mood with music. Your summ er kitchen The downside of summ er living is build ing up unwanted heat in the kitchen from cooking dinner. The best solution is to take it outside. Don't lim it the grill to weekends and burgers and brats. Explore the many grilling recipes out there to expand your repertoire. While you're doing this, set up O N N O W AT T H E B R IC K ! Overhead Door Co. of Hamilton-Burlington The In s u la te d S te e l G a r a g e D o o rs B R IC K © M A Y1 9 -2 2 ^ Proud to be servicing the GTA for 32 years. 5 4 5 0 H arvester Road, Burlington Overhead Door (H am ilton-B urlington) Ltd. our or©nai clearance items in the « n .s s - i s O HHQIIOM M OHDM L O C U T IO N T h erm a co re® For premium construction and maximum thermal efficiency, a Thermacore® insulated steel door is the ideal choice. This series of doors feature our sandwich construction of steel-polyurethanesteel as well as between-section seals with thermal breaks to reduce air infiltration. With several panel designs to choose from, these doors offer design flexibility, durability and thermal efficiency that will help keep your home comfortable in cold or hot climates. Furniture! hot dogs , niscontinued Electronics. &POP Stieaiwast SiViireless _ , Bluetooth 905-333-1772 info@overheaddoorburlington.ca overheaddoorburlington.ca S A V IN G Y O U M O R E For more details go instore or online @thebrick.com.