Guest Author - Donna Coogan

Great Outdoor Decorating Makeovers by Kathy Peterson is a quick read of 138 pages (plus the Acknowledgements and Index). This book caught my eye because it claims you can transform your outside spaces into outdoor rooms for only $250. As someone who appreciates decorating on a budget, I had to give it a more thorough look.

In Part 1 of the book, the author begins with ideas of where to look for your decorating inspiration, such as magazines, department stores and open houses. She touches on how to create color schemes and use lighting and plants to create mood and atmosphere.

In part 2 of Great Outdoor Decorating Makeovers the author briefly explains how to organize a plan for your space. The main premise of the book is introduced here which seems to be reuse or create things yourself so that you can stay within the $250 budget.

On that note, the author provides lots of “do-it-yourself” suggestions to incorporate into your decorating plans. She offers some cost-saving ideas using paint, fabrics and accessories. These are not step-by-step projects, but ideas to give you a jumping off point to follow on your own.

Some of her suggestions are to use what you have in new ways or shop flea markets for inexpensive finds. She also provides a check-off list for tools and supplies that she uses repeatedly in her outdoor transformations.

Part 3: “Before and After File” makes up the second half of the book and is where the author showcases colorful photos of real-life examples for friends and acquaintances while staying within budget. In these examples she starts with the before and after pics. Then she goes on to explain what was wrong with the current set up and the changes that improved it. There are close-ups of some of the changes, boxed insets of “Designer Tips” and a cost breakdown – all of which stay within $250.

The author shares with us the client’s concerns prior to the transformation and their feelings afterward. Each result is very positive, and proves that it’s worth trying something new and withholding judgement until you see the final outcome.

The majority of Great Outdoor Decorating Makeovers showcases spaces for the deck, patio or porch. What I like about this is these areas can be adapted to apartment living as well as single family residences. So even if you don’t have a yard, but you do have a small balcony or patio, you can utilize her ideas. Many of her suggestions will also work for renters and can be taken with them when they move.

One of my favorite outdoor spaces was a Mediterranean Courtyard. She took a bleak area and painted the cement patio to look like terra-cotta tiles and the surrounding courthouse walls were painted a complementary blue. She added lush plants and a cement fountain all found elsewhere in the yard. With a few other touches, the transformation really did have “Wow!” factor written all over it.

The other outdoor areas depicted in the book were tailored to the personality of the residents with vastly different results. One screened sun porch was transformed into a pretty guest area, complete with bed and beautiful linens. With so many examples, there is sure to be an idea or two that most readers can incorporate for their own home.

Overall, Great Outdoor Decorating Makeovers has a lot of creative, yet very doable suggestions that most people can handle. It is a fun book to read and be inspired about what you can do with your outside areas. Best of all – each example really is inexpensive which makes it user-friendly for anyone on a budget.