You don’t have to be a great outdoorsman to take advantage of the extended living space your backyard provides. You don’t even have to have a backyard to enjoy a bit of fresh air and sunshine—a small balcony, courtyard, patio enclosure or rooftop are all places where you can add outside interest. We’ve gathered a few ideas to help take your outside living space from bland and boring to delightful and dazzling.

Start by evaluating your space. Can you sit and enjoy the morning paper and coffee? Do you eat lunch alfresco whenever you have a chance? Would you invite the neighbors over for cocktails on Friday evening? Decide what activities you want to be able to enjoy in this space.

Next choose a color scheme or maybe even a special theme. This is place for you to be a little daring. Use color combo you wouldn’t pick for your indoor rooms. If your space is small and there’s no great view to extend the space, a theme like Moroccan Villa, Eastern Seaboard or Scottish Garden.

Get off on the right foot by adding some color to the floor of your room. If you like the finish on your deck (or simply don’t like the idea of painting or staining) you can add color with a fabulous outdoor rug or floorcloth. If you don’t feel like it’s a makeover unless you’ve covered something in paint, add a rug design onto the wooden deck or concrete patio.

You probably already have the primary bones for an enchanting outdoor room (or two) such as a dining table and chairs and maybe a chair or two for lounging. Your job may be as simple as dressing them up with rich-looking cushions and pillows. If you’re short on seating and storage you don’t have to blow the budget on new things. Old pieces can be repurposed and repainted. Spray paint is available for almost any surface in outdoor quality paint. Check flea markets or garage sales, even inside your own abode, for pieces that can walk in the sunshine.

Garden lighting is available in a myriad of options. Some are even solar powered so you don’t have to be wired for sound (or light). Pick interesting colors and shapes for accent lighting. Task lighting selections include floor and table lamps made for outdoor use.

Outdoor rooms often lack one of the predominant features of your home, privacy. If your neighbor canceled his newspaper subscription because he reads over your shoulder, don’t despair. You can still create a cozy space. And make ensure it’s a “members only” proposition. Good fences may make good neighbors, but they also cost good money. When a privacy fence isn’t an option, fabric panels, inexpensive bamboo screens or garden variety canopies can be used to block prying eyes.

Don’t forget to add accessories. All-weather items like pottery and metal sculpture are easy-care decorative items. Container gardens brighten up dull corners, while water feature possibilities range from small and portable to large and built-in.

So do you feel like you’ll soon be playing with a full deck (or patio)? Go ahead, do as much or as little as you want to make your mark on the great outdoors. Create a fresh air environment that’s just as comfy as your living room and then come back and share pictures of your space on our Flickr site.