By
eHow Home & Garden Editor
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Step1
Decide what kind of outdoor room you want. Walk outside and imagine what you could use the room for. Build a room with some furniture, protection from the sun and rain and a few decorative pieces. Or go for an outdoor cooking area with a built-in grill, some comfortable furniture, cement or brick work and water fountain.
Step2
Draw plans for the room, even if they are still in the development stage. Draw the rough blueprints for the room so you have something to go by. If you have an existing patio, take the size into account when adding things to it. If you want to build a patio or deck, make it large enough to accommodate everything in your plans.
Step3
Choose the materials you need for your outdoor room: wood, cement or tile for the floor, lattice or screen to make privacy walls and something for a roof.
Step4
Hire a general contractor if you need dirt moved or hauled in, a pool or small pond dug and cemented, large areas of cement poured and for anything else you aren't sure you can handle. Get a quote on materials, prices and a time frame for completion. Get estimates from at least two or more contractors before choosing one.
Step5
Plan for events that you may have in the outdoor area before shopping for furniture. Depending on what you want the ourdoor room for, make plans for lighting, seating, cooking, shade, music and other things you may need. Sketch these items into your blueprint so you have an idea of what things look like.
Step6
Shop around for furnishings and decorations according to your needs for the room and the style of your home. Get the basics, like seating and lighting, and let the rest come as you find out what you need.
