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By Claudia Jacobs

For the Times Herald-Record

Published: 2:00 AM - 06/01/14

We made it past Memorial Day. After being cooped up inside, it is time to enjoy the fresh air. Creating an outdoor living space that feels like the interior of your home is the new trend.

The living room

Create a seating area for conversational gatherings. Group chairs, love seat, sofas, whatever your space allows. Choose outdoor furniture that feels indoors but is made of weather-resistant material. Add pops of color and comfort with accent pillows and cushions specially made for the outdoors.

Weary outdoor furniture, Adirondack chairs and benches can be painted a bright shade to add modern style to a classic shape. Flea markets and vintage shops are great places to find accessories that are inexpensive and unexpected when used outside.

Dining al fresco

Whether it is an outdoor dining set that stays on the deck or patio, or temporary stations for parties, choose a sturdy table with comfortable dining chairs to linger long after the meal. Add candles or strings of lights for a touch of enchantment. Mason jars with lit candles are a lovely touch not only for tabletop but also on the ground.

The fire pit

Whether it is an elaborate stone pit or a freestanding kit, gathering around a fire pit is a hot trend. Don't forget the s'mores.

Beyond the grill, the outdoor kitchen

The barbecue grill is the place to cook outdoors. Bringing the kitchen outdoors is a hot building trend; the only difference is everything needs to be waterproofed. This can be done for any budget whether it is the do-it-yourselfers to working with a landscape architect or kitchen designer.

The kitchen has evolved over the years to become the heart of the home. With the outdoor living spaces on the rise, it is a natural progression to bring the kitchen to the outdoors. Keeping the cooking close to where the outdoor recreation is, so more family time is shared.

The outdoor kitchen itself is a scaled-down version of a traditional kitchen. A grill is a must. Storage for utensils, cookware and plates, all conveniently stored by the grill and outdoor dining area help to add to the outdoor lifestyle. Also included are perhaps a sink and waste bin. There are even outdoor refrigerators to help keep the beverages cold.

As far as outdoor cabinetry goes, stainless steel, recycled plastic or a decay resistant wood such as teak or cypress is a must. "All of these items stand up well to the elements and will look good year after year," says James Bruyn of Hudson Valley Kitchen Design & Remodeling in New Hampton.

Outdoor sinks are either fed with a hose or connected to the home's water supply. Good choices for your outdoor sink would be either stainless steel or ceramic.

The outdoor party pantry

If you are not creating an outdoor kitchen with cabinets, storing your party supplies outside allows for easy entertaining. Whether storing everything in an outdoor storage chest or using an old hutch in a covered area, the convenience of having the plates, utensils napkins, serving dishes in the same area you are hanging out in is priceless.

Claudia Jacobs is a decorator, professional stager and owner of Claudia Jacobs Designs in Goshen. Visit claudiajacobsdesigns.com or call 294-8993. Send questions and photos toClaudiaJacobsDesigns@gmail.com.