When having an outdoor grill just isn't enough, maybe an entire kitchen would be. Courtesy of VIKING RANGE CORP.

The patio grill is no longer the basic piece of equipment it once was. Courtesy of VIKING RANGE CORP.

By PEGGY CARLSON

Date published: 4/30/2006

Move over, redwood picnic tables, birdbaths and porch swings. Outdoor living has always been a feature in American life, but the newest outdoor furniture and accessories are like nothing you've ever seen before.

The market for oversized outdoor furnishings and accents is booming, and the trend is expected to continue.

The focus now is on creating outdoor rooms, rather than simply having outdoor furniture on a patio or deck. Homeowners are looking at stoves, outdoor heaters, flooring, trendy furniture, computer access and other creature comforts for their outdoor areas. The aim is to provide a place for relaxation and extend the home's living space.

As the outdoor-room concept extends beyond the utilitarian, there has been an upswing in water gardens, waterfalls, fountains and meditation areas. Container gardens are popular and can be moved around a deck or patio depending on whether you're entertaining four or four dozen.

Outdoor heaters, fire pits and fireplaces extend the outdoor season by providing cozy warmth against the chill of late autumn and early spring. They come in stainless steel, copper, stone, ceramic and terra-cotta models, and are fueled by natural or propane gas, electricity, wood or charcoal briquettes.

Flooring choices have expanded to include interlocking modular decking tiles in hardwood, vinyl, ceramic and porcelain. They can also be used to cover an existing concrete or deck floor. Outdoor rug choices used to be limited to green Astroturf or indoor-outdoor carpet, but now there are many varieties that will enhance your deck or patio, including polyester textile coated with anti-UV polymer and fade-resistant bamboo with cotton binding. Some can be cleaned by just hosing them down.

There has long been a great variety of outdoor lighting choices, but these now include weatherproof floor and table lamps, chandelier-style hanging lamps, string lights and more.

Outdoor storage options have come a long way from the backyard shed. New styles include cedar end tables and storage benches with ice-chest liners, and upright units that look like armoires. The utilitarian trash can now comes made of poly resin and crushed limestone, and can be hand painted to resemble flagstone, brick or stucco.

Date published: 4/30/2006