Bringing the Outside Indoors

When the weather conditions are just right, a relaxing evening spent on the porch or patio is perfect for enjoying good company and the beauty of the outside world. Wouldn't it be nice to enjoy these comforts regardless of the season?

Bring the rejuvenating, refreshing and calming effects of nature into your personal space with a few simple touches. The best place for incorporating these organic elements is the space closest to your patio or outdoor space. Let this area serve as a transitional space where the outside world connects with the comforts of your interior.

Here are a few tips to make your outside world an extension of your home:

Choose Natural Materials

For chairs, sofas, rugs, pillows and other décor, choose natural patterns, textures and fibers. Pair materials like hemp, rattan, bamboo, wicker and jute, with softer textures, such as cottons, velvet and velour for added dimension.

Light Up the Room

Nothing pleases the senses like natural light, so be sure to rid windows and doorways of heavy drapery and other barriers. Bring this beautiful resource inside by adding a retrofit folding patio door, such as the JELD-WEN® W-4500, which uses floor-supported technology for a simpler fit into an existing door opening.

Choose Natural Colors

Pick chairs, sofas, coffee tables and buffet pieces that are white or ivory. These light colors will make the outdoor tints of greens, blues and browns pop. For the woodsy look, choose faux bois upholstery, a textile pattern that mimics the grain of wood.

Spruce Up the View

Add trees or other lush landscapes to serve as your focal point when you look outside. Attach window boxes and plant flowers and shrubbery in colors that complement your décor. Add trees or other lush landscapes to serve as your focal point when you look outside.  Truly access your serene views with a wider expanse and with ease by adding a folding patio door, such as the JELD-WEN W-4500, which comes in a variety of different colors, finishes and is available in 2-, 3- or 4-panel configurations. For more information on JELD-WEN windows and doors, visit www.jeld-wen.com.

Add Natural Elements to Décor

The right decorative tchotchkes can evoke the serenity of nature within your space. For a rustic look, add dried flowers, pinecones, rocks, wood and straw. For a seaside touch, use sea shells, starfish and jars of sand for a coastal inspiration. If you lack space to scatter throughout the room, place these items in a large decorative bowl and use as a centerpiece.

Frame It

The best way to incorporate your favorite natural nuances is to photograph it. Do you have photographs from that trip to the Grand Canyon or Glacier National Park? Display those beautiful memories and scenery. Dust off your favorite old photos and place them in neutral-toned frames to set throughout the space.

PHOTO CAPTION: W-4500 JELD-WEN patio door

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