Great design meets the great outdoors. We’re creating amazing spaces, affordable ideas for
spectacular outdoor rooms.

Hey, everybody, Angelo here and welcome to the great outdoors. I am standing on a raised
deck, a fairly good sized raised deck but there is nothing going on in this deck. It’s essentially a
pass through area. Since this deck is right off the kitchen, it is the perfect place for
contemporary cottage dining room so here’s the plan. I’m going to brighten it up and combine
warm woods with bright colors to create an inviting cottage coziness. You want to stay with us
to see how this all turns out. Let’s get started.

First things first, you’ve got to clear everything out, start with a clean palate. Check this out,
great design outdoors is the same as great design indoors. You have to come up with a purpose
and a reason and this railing isn’t doing any of that for us. It’s creating this awkward little alley
so you know what, we’re getting rid of it. Removing it opens up the space an invites you onto
the deck. Next, the existing railing is painted white matching the rest of the home. This totally
unifies the space and fits with the cottage theme. I’m putting the rug in the middle of the deck
to allow more space around it for entertaining and the solid red color adds interest and a real
contemporary punch.

Alright, table it people. Bring in the table. Next, I’m placing a teakwood table and chairs
directly over the rug. They are simple and warm fitting with our cottage look and the table
expands to seat more guests. Don’t forget, when you’re dining outside, you have to deal with
the elements so obviously you don’t have a roof, put up an umbrella, put in a bright color,
you’re set. Now, it’s all about layering the contemporary cottage look, a wood shelf painted red
to match our color scheme is placed in the alleyway to hold entertaining extras. Citrus trees in
large red contemporary planters are placed on the edge of the room to help enclose it.

Here’s the key with planting, is you want to think about it like an extra accessory. You want to
pick volume, height and depth so the more that you can spread plants around, the fuller and
more organic your patio will look. Plus the edible fruit is a nice accent to any dining space and
speaking of dining, setting the table brings this whole look together. Red is the name of the
game here, red seat cushions, placemats, even red fruit create a welcoming dining destination.
Here’s a great tip to make your dining table interesting, we have pops of red everywhere but
they’re all solid. Right here, you’ve got a little bit of red in a pattern and mixed with other great
colors, it really adds movement adding a little texture as well creates the perfect table and the
result, an open raised deck becomes an open invitation to a contemporary cottage dining room
and of course a great place to relax and enjoy the view.