Room for Improvement: Terrace Tips

WSVN -- South Floridians always enjoy the outdoors, no matter the temperature. But now, with the change of seasons, it starts getting a bit cooler and a bit more pleasant -- so, there is much more of an incentive. On today's Room For Improvement, we're giving a back terrace a mini facelift just in time for fall.

Martin: "Room for Improvement. Good Morning, Fabilola."

Martin: "I love the seclusion of your porch. You have a beautiful backdrop, but of course you're not happy with how the space is right now."

Fabilola: "I would like to have a different view. I can see it from my kitchen. I would like something kind of quaint, kind of nice."

So, we have a few issues to tackle before the back terrace can look beautiful in one day. We have to deal with the concrete floors. We have to hide the air conditioning unit, and of course, we need seating. But, as you can tell, with all the things I bought, I've got it covered.

Let's begin by clearing out the patio and sweeping the floor for a clean slate.

Plastic chairs -- we can do better.

Unfortunately, I can't move the air conditioner unit, but at least this wood screen enclosure offers the prefect solution.

A lot of times when we use plants, we only keep them down below on the ground. But, if you go vertical by using a plant hook, it will fill up this plain area.

Let's cover up the hard floors with a nice, soft area rug.

Just to make the backyard more of a retreat and to hide some of the air conditioner noise, I'm installing a wall fountain, which is also an attractive feature.

This outdoor area rug is the prefect thing to dress up these concrete floors.

Patio umbrellas come in many shapes and sizes. In a small space like this, I opted for a rectangular one instead of a round one to mimic the table, only because it gives me the effect of a gazebo.

These cushions with outdoor fabric make the chairs extra comfy.

Some mulch around the border finishes off the back patio, and we're done.

This morning all we had to work with on this terrace was cold concrete. By adding a floor screen to hide the air conditioner, a water feature to mask the noise and a touch of color through an area rug and cushions in the seating, we now have a backyard retreat.

Fabilola: "How beautiful. Look at this. It's gorgeous."

We started off with nothing earlier today, and now we definitely have something. Pretty nice. Another outdoor room improved, and I'll see you guys soon.

Contact: room@wsvn.com or lgarrigan@wsvn.com
Miami-Dade: 305-576-HOME
Broward: 954-962-HOME
Martin Amado's website: www.martinamado.com/stylist.htm