If you've been reading lifestyle magazines or thumbing through home decorating catalogs recently, you already know that creating outdoor living areas is one of the hottest trends going. Our outdoor spaces have come a long way from the days when having a few lawn chairs, a well-used grill and a picnic table was the height of outdoor d'cor.

Now, people are creating distinct outdoor rooms that are extensions of their indoor living space. These outdoor rooms include nooks for reading and relaxing, conversation areas for entertaining, even complete outdoor kitchens. The level of detail that goes into these outdoor spaces is on par with what you would expect to find inside the house, from carefully chosen color schemes, quality furniture and stylish accessories to coordinate with the furniture.

The frames of most outdoor furniture tend to be green, white, black or beige metal, or light or dark wood. This means that you have a lot of leeway for creating the mood and look you want by choosing the perfect fabric for cushions, pillows and sun umbrellas.

For outside decorating, apply the same principles you would use in decorating for your living room or family room:

* Make sure the fabric fits the ambience you're striving to create. For example, if you have a formal backyard landscape, your fabric should reflect that. Choose an English garden-inspired floral or a classic damask. On the other hand, if you prefer a more funky, casual look, go for a fun, colorful print like Waverly's 'Fluttering Around' pattern featuring whimsical dragonflies.

* Consider color carefully. In many homes, the outdoor space, whether it's a deck or a patio, opens up from a main living areas of the house, such as the family room or kitchen. While your deck furniture doesn't have to match your kitchen counters, the fabric colors you choose for your outdoor space shouldn't clash with your indoor space.

* Don't forget the finishing touches. As with your indoor decorating, accessories help tie it all together. Outdoor lighting allows you to enjoy your deck or patio after dark. Citronella candles in colors that coordinate with your fabrics help add a romantic glow. Forget paper plates and cups -- visit your local discount store for inexpensive outdoor dishes and glasses. Plastic is perfect since it won't break if dropped.

When choosing furniture and accessories for your outdoor room, durability is a key factor. The furniture on your deck or patio has to withstand the elements. And outdoor furniture is subject to indignities like wet bathing suits, smeared blueberries, spilled umbrella drinks and dirt and grime. Ensure your lasting enjoyment of your carefully planned outdoor space by choosing fabrics designed specifically for outdoor use.

Sun N Shade fabrics from Waverly, a leader in decorative fabrics, offer a wide variety of indoor/outdoor fabrics that are fashionable and functional. Choose from hip hues like lime green or make it mellower with the breezy tropical scenes of the 'Isla Bonita' pattern. The polyester fabric feels softnot rough like many outdoor fabrics -- and is durable, easy-care, and soil and stain repellent. Spills clean up easily with soap and water. Sun N Shade fabrics resist mold and mildew and withstand the harshest sunlight so they easily meet the rugged requirements of outdoor use, but are also perfect for indoors, especially high-traffic areas such as kitchens, family rooms and in any room where sunlight may fade fabrics.