Our family has lived at both ends of the spectrum in terms of climate — from the southwest where it was 72 and sunny everyday to the northeast where we just got our first snow. We do our best to blur the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces regardless.

Here are a few tips for creating a comfortable indoor/outdoor environment:

1. Open Up Your Space: Sliding or bi-fold glass doors can create seamless transitions between your indoor and outdoor areas. Even when it’s cold, the glass doors let the light in and help create flow throughout the house.

2. Add Comfortable Furniture: Choose weather-resistant furniture that’s cozy enough for indoor use but durable enough for outdoor living. Polywood and Harbour are a couple of our favorite brands. Hot tip – we also use an inexpensive indoor/outdoor rug like this in the dining room to make cleaning up after the kids a breeze. Almost 10 years in and it still looks great.

3. Use Natural Materials: Decorate with wood, stone, and greenery to tie both areas together naturally. Also, houseplants, houseplants, houseplants. They bring the outdoors in, purify the air, and add an organic feel to any indoor space.

4. Incorporate Lighting: String lights or outdoor lamps can add ambiance and make the space usable after dark. Our neighbors have large bulb lights strung throughout their front yard and it looks like a fairy wonderland, even on a chilly night. Your neighbors will thank you.

5. Include Shade and Shelter: Whether the sun is blazing or the weather is inclement, coverage is a must for enjoying your outdoor space. A pergola, awning, or umbrella can offers protection from the elements, allowing for all-weather enjoyment.

Hot and sunny or cool and cloudy, with thoughtful design choices, your indoor/outdoor living space can become the heart of your home. Hope these tips are helpful.