After years of limiting decorating to the interior of their homes, many people are turning their energy outside to create outdoor spaces for relaxing and entertaining. This shift reflects a new lifestyleoutdoor livingthat extends beyond a home's traditional walls.

'We've seen a big trend in consumers moving the indoors out,' said Carolyn Sollis, style director at House & Garden magazine. 'People want to create true living spaces outdoors, and they're looking to do so with dining tables, seating, outdoor fabrics, bars, grills, kitchens, even tableware. They want accessories that not only reflect their personal style, but require minimal upkeep.'

Sollis offers a few tips on how to make the most of your outdoor living space:

Choose a foundation to suit your style. For an ideal outdoor living environment, homeowners must first consider the foundation, whether it's a porch, patio or deck. As with the accessories, the foundation you choose should reflect your personal style just as the home's architectural style and interior d'cor do.

Make the best use of your space. Because every space is unique, you need to make the best possible use of available outdoor space and gracefully blend the foundation with your home and its surroundings. Consider the many ways in which the space will be usedfrom entertaining to relaxing.

Other tips for maximizing and celebrating your outdoor living space include:

Consider it an investment. Many people choose a deck for their outdoor living space because of the value it brings to a home. According to Remodeling Magazine's '2005 Cost vs. Value Report,' which was included in the November issue, the national average for a deck addition recoups more than 90 percent of the project cost upon resale.

Work with a reputable contractor. If you choose a deck as the foundation for your outdoor living space, the variety of decking material and amenity options available may be overwhelming. Work with a reputable contractor to determine the right material and features to meet your vision and budget for the space.

Look into low maintenance materials. Because they'd rather spend time enjoying their decks instead of maintaining them, many homeowners today want low maintenance materials that provide a natural look, but can withstand weather extremes. According to Mick Whelan, corporate director of marketing for TAMKO Building Products, composite materials like EverGrain Decking (www.evergrain.com) offer a variety of benefits, such as durability and slip-resistance, for homeowners looking to enhance their outdoor living space.

'Because it is made through a unique compression molding process, EverGrain offers a natural wood look, as well as the colors and accessories consumers want to complement their homes,' Whelan said. 'Containing both plastic and wood fiber, EverGrain is low maintenance and offers a 25-year limited warranty. These aspects are extremely important because people want higher quality composite materials that not only provide style and beauty, but also will stand the test of time.'

Accessorize to fit your style. 'No matter what your style, outdoor furnishings are available to help you personalize and truly enjoy your space,' Sollis says. 'More and more retailers are realizing the outdoor living trend and offering durable, low maintenance options in outdoor furniture, fabrics, lighting, dinnerware, drinkware and other accessories.'

Celebrate the outdoors. Once your outdoor living space is complete, take a break from everyday stresses and enjoy it. One opportunity to do this is during National Outdoor Living Week, June 5 through 11, which will celebrate the best of outdoor livingbeautiful scenery, friends, family and a nice space to enjoy them.

Presented by EverGrain, National Outdoor Living Week encourages homeowners to enjoy and make the most of the time they spend in their outdoor living areas. Highlights include a National Deck Party on Saturday, June 10, at Washington Square Park in Kansas City, Mo., and an Outdoor Makeover Contest, in which the one entrant who offers the most compelling need for an outdoor makeover will receive EverGrain decking material, an outdoor living design consultation and $2,000 for additional outdoor improvements.