Baltimore Sun Store

* Focal points to provide visual interest -- an outdoor fireplace, a meandering flagstone path, a fountain or fish pond, flowerbeds, flowering trees, boulders and garden statuary. Without something worthy to look at, to entertain the eye and attract attention, an outdoor space is destined to be a visually boring place.

* Good lighting, both decorative and functional. Why should an outdoor room be available only during the daylight hours? Lighting can shape outdoor spaces and moods. A combination of medium- and low- intensity lighting can turn a yard, garden or patio into a magical landscape where shape, shadow, contour and color are as appealing at night as during the day.

* Climate control. Fences and hedges can deflect strong winds and protect you from chills. A ceiling fan can make a covered porch or gazebo more comfortable. An outdoor fireplace can prolong an outdoor space's usefulness as the weather cools. Radiant propane heaters, often found in sidewalk cafes, can warm up cool nights. A retractable awning of canvas or vinyl fabric can provide shade during the hottest part of the day and shelter on rainy days.