[Excerpted from Backyard Idea Book. ©2004 Taunton Books]

A home's living space can be doubled by making the most of a backyard. After all, many backyards have a greater footprint than the house itself. And you can creatively transform even the tiniest of spaces into inviting outdoor rooms that beckon use in all but the coolest or hottest of seasons.

Inside our homes, there are rooms we gathing in and rooms we escape to for relaxation. Outdoors, we need those same kinds of spaces. Porches, decks, patios and pools make excellent gathering places. In fact, we can design multiple spaces for various types of get-togethers--perhaps a cozy patio for a romantic dinner, a comfortable deck for family meals and a generously sized terrace for hosting a crowd. When families entertain outdoors, it's ideal to have separate spaces for the parents to visit while the kids play with friends. Espaces can be as simple as a hammock strung between two trees and a fort for young children or as elaborate as a freestanding studio for an artist and potting shed for an avid gardener.

The Indoor-Outdoor Connection

The most frequently used spaces are those that visually and physically bridge the gap between indoors and out. These spaces are seen through interior windows and doors. From outdoors, they connect to the house in the form of porches, decks and patios. These intermediate, or transitional, spaces are among the most inviting because the house provides a sense of security and amenities are always nearby.

When porches, decks and patios are planned as integral elements of a new or renovated home, they can be designed to create indoor-outdoor transitions that are so subtle they blur the line where the house ends and the landscape begins. For continuity between spaces, construction materials should echo those of the house; decorating themes and colors can easily carry over outside from interior rooms.

These intermediate spaces should also relate in a functional way to adjacent rooms. For example, an outdoor dining area is most conveniently located just beyond the kitchen door. A larger outdoor space for entertaining should flow easily from a living room or family room. A secret-garden patio just large enough for two is ideally located outside a master bedroom.

Vary the Spaces

As you move farther away from the house, spaces tend to become more casual--sometimes relating more to the surrounding landscape than to the house. Throughout the yard, spaces should vary in shape, size and character. Relaxing spaces, for instance, should feature comfortable chairs and lounges, while dining areas need sturdy tables and outdoor cooking amenities; both should be positioned for afternoon shade in hot climates. Children's play spaces require soft landing surfaces, while areas for entertaining large crowds call for smooth surfaces that can be easily negotiated in dim light or with drinks in hand. Design some areas for sitting or lounging, others for standing or strolling, and one or more for activity, especially if you have children.