• Add a trickling water feature along the enclosed patio for a relaxing feel.water fountain image by Abrie Viljoen from Fotolia.com
  
  An extension of your home, enclosed patios create an outdoor living space to enjoy year-round. They are the ideal spot to pass an afternoon reading a favorite book or watching the rain. Casual outdoor furniture with cozy, plush pillows creates a relaxing feel to the space. Accessories, such as a collection of plants situated around the patio, enhance the outdoor room to create a second living room for the house.
  
  

Color

• Bring a patio to life with color. Painting the patio floor in shades of gray or cream instantly open up the space for an inviting design. A patio filled with favorite plants and flowers creates a lush feel. A patio porch swing or set of outdoor furniture looks stunning with a fresh coat of paint in bright red to echo the surrounding flowers and plants. Patios spaces with bead board incorporated in the design look dramatic when painted a pale blue to mimic the sky and brighten up the area.
  
  

Living Space

• Incorporate comfortable, weather-proof furniture, such as a set of outdoor wicker chairs, to surround the space. Situate the chairs around an outdoor dining table to create a makeshift area that doubles as a work place or children's play area. Benches made from teak or cedar provide extra seating and are ideal tucked along one wall of the patio. Classic seating, such as a porch swing, adds a welcoming touch. Accent tables housed around the benches and along chairs and swings provides a home for drinks or the weekly newspaper. They also create the ideal area for a collection of flowers or plants.
  
  

Accessories

• Outdoor rugs soften an enclosed patio while adding a burst of color. Weather-resistant rugs for the outdoors, such as those made of jute, come in a variety of sizes and shapes to accommodate any size patio. Rugs made in bold colors frame the room. Plush pillows situated over benches, chairs or placed over the rug create comfort. Offer a calming, serene feel to the patio with a container fountain. Container water fountains bring a peaceful touch to the patio and enhance those relaxing moments. Ceiling fans mounted from the ceiling help to circulate the air and extend the time spent outdoors in the hot summer months. Rest a small fan over an accent table to create an alternative to the ceiling fan.