Homeowners sometimes are at a loss on what to do with an outdoor space and the key is to first change your thinking and look at it just as you would any indoor room.  This home had a long covered patio, so I decided to begin by dividing the space into two areas for seating.

A great tip to get more bang for your buck is to buy a patio set with various furniture pieces that will allow you to decorate more than one area. In this case, I separated the set and used the sofa, coffee table and two ottomans to create a living room setting on one side, and on the other I used the two accent chairs to create a smaller seating arrangement. The turquoise fabric complements the colors of the pool water nicely.

Another good idea to create a resort-like feel is to use outdoor drapes to frame the view onto the pool or garden. Whenever I decorate, I love thinking outside the box and coming up unique ideas that have a big impact. For example, over the sofa I placed a mosquito netting (only $30), which typically you would place above a bed. But look how great it looks outdoors, too! I also love the option of using the two ceramic garden stools as coffee tables, but they can also be end tables and additional seats when entertaining a large group. It's a great versatile accent piece that adds an eclectic style to this patio.

An outdoor area rug, fade-resistant toss pillows and wind chimes finish off the transformation. It looks great during the day, and just as important, at night, too. Oversized hurricane lanterns with candles and twinkle or globe lights across the ceiling can also enhance the mood of your outdoor retreat just steps from your home.