How to Create an Instant Outdoor Room

You can easily increase your living space by using an inexpensive gazebo tent to create an instant outdoor room that can be easily assembled for parties, cookouts or simply for your own private retreat. The initial cost, which can easily be less than $500, would be a one-time investment for additional seasonal living space that you will enjoy for years.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Gazebo tent Flooring (area rug suggested) Furniture Accessories Lighting

1. Stake out the room site and take some measurements of the space. Write the measurement down for use while shopping. Choose a relatively flat, clear room site, because even a slight slope will be accentuated by a rug.

2. Purchase a gazebo tent. The best time to purchase the tent is in the late fall or winter, when sales abound from the summer season. You can store the tent until you're ready to construct your outdoor space in the spring.

3. Make note to the colors in the tent. Don't just rely on the photo of the tent on the box, since the colors may look different once you see the tent itself. Open the tent and compare the color to the photo. Either take the box photo or take your own picture with you as you shop for accessories.

4. Choose the floor. A thick area rug that matches the tent is the best choice for a quick and easy setup. Astroturf cut to size is another choice, although not nearly as welcoming or soft. The flooring should ideally not extend outside of the tent.

5. Decide on the seating. Wicker garden furniture is perfect for the instant outside room. It is lightweight but sturdy, and allows you to add pillows that match the rug and tent.

6. Add accessories. Pick a table and an inexpensive plastic shelving unit can be spray painted to match the tent. Statutes and art pieces can be displayed during special occasions.

7. Add container plants. Palms and ferns can add texture and life to the outdoor room, and they can withstand a range of temperatures. For floral accents, consider hanging petunias or bougainvilleas in baskets from the tent frame.

8. Arrange the room. Set the tent up according to the tent's instructions, put in the rug or flooring, place the seating and add the accessories.

9. Consider lighting. For nighttime use, you will likely want to install some lighting. There are a range of battery-operated lights on the market if you don't want to deal with electric cords. Candles are also a good choice, but be careful of the potential fire hazard.