Designer trends come and go, but one that looks like it's here to stay is the popularity of outdoor living. More and more homeowners are adding on "outdoor rooms" or dressing up their former bland patio to create an outdoor oasis fit for the king and queen of the house.

The photos shown here (Todd and Cynthia Dutton's residence) are just such an example. The pool was renovated to reflect a more natural earthy vibe, a gas fire pit sits atop the pool providing a warm and cozy gathering spot year around. The new covered outdoor room is complete with a kitchen, fire place, big screen TV and a couch made of material suitable for year-round exposure and entertaining. The couch was a garage sale find that was re-upholsered with new outdoor fabric, so before you get rid of that eyesore couch, reconsider it for your patio or outdoor room. The fabric from Sunbrella comes in dozens of cool colors and designs and is easy to clean off with a power hose.

How can you get a cozier feel for your backyard on a budget? Try these tips.
1. Stain the concrete. After a trip to Lowe's where I picked out two colors (one should match your brick), I did about five coats on my back patio, alternating every other color (half of which were on my hands and knees smudging and smearing to perfection.) I hate the look of cold concrete, and after a couple of days of back pain, all was well with my muscles and my pretty new patio.
2. Accessorize. Think big. Candles, pots, statues, pillows. As long as it won't blow away in this Oklahoma wind, consider it for decor. Outdoor art is now widely available to dress up the brick, too.
3. Rug it. Even if you have gray slab, an outdoor rug can bring the small in, connecting your seating area and warming it up with color. They come in a wide selection of sizes and patterns.
4. Small fire pit or bowl. They come in all shapes and sizes and you can get one for as little as $50. Your kids will love to roast hot dogs and make s'mores with you. Be sure and read the reviews online first to get one with positive feedback from owners.
5. Ceiling fans. Let's face it. Summers in Oklahoma can be sweltering. If you have ceiling light fixtures on your back patio, switch it out for a lighted fan. I added two on my back patio last summer and spend twice as much time out there as before, plus it looks better year around.
6. Mosquito mister. Installation cost is  based on the number of units, so it's worth a service call to see if you can add them so you can dine and entertain without outfitting your guests in mosquito nets.
7. Christmas lights. It may seem like you just stored them away, but adding some twinkle to your patio with the white Christmas lights can turn a regular evening into a party.
8. Chandelier. If you don't opt for a fan, consider an outdoor chandelier. This fall I'm converting what was a flower bed tucked into the corner of my house (no green thumb here) into a larger entertaining area with pavers, a larger table and chairs and a chandelier above it. Since I'm planning ahead I can get the table and chairs at a garage sale, and with a nice metal one, can spray paint it with Rustoleum and it'll look brand new. You can get a nice chandelier at a hardware store for around $100.
9. Pots and flowers. Nothing brings more ahhhh than beautiful flowers, so buy a couple of pretty pants and your favorite flowers and enjoy them with your morning coffee or your evening martini. (Or morning martini and evening coffee, whichever you prefer.)
10. Furniture. I like to shop off season for the deals, which actually comes even before the summer closes. I think I bought my patio set last July at 50% off. Knowing what I know know about how to get them recovered, that's the next step in my outdoor evolution. If you don't need a whole set, at least get two nice chairs that you'll want to relax in.
Now put that economic stimulus check to good use! See you at the hardware store!