Ventura County is famous for its temperate climate, and homeowners are finding new ways to enjoy their outdoor living spaces. As the shelves in stores are filled with their annual collection of outdoor furniture and the urge to buy new patio furniture rises, consider personal style and maximize that space.

Manufacturers are strutting out bold pieces that can do double duty indoors or out. Sectional sofas are taking center stage in collections. Overstuffed cushions, custom fabrics, tassels and trims are now becoming the norm alongside chairs that look like they belong in the family room and tables carved from glamorous granite slabs and manufactured synthetic stones.

The new "outdoor room" has taken on a new meaning with homeowners: it's an extension of their home.

"We do a lot of outdoor rooms and create outdoor living spaces. Clients are installing fire pits and outdoor fireplaces, but instead of the rickety, old furniture, they are using more comfortable, welcoming pieces," said Carol Hilton, co-owner and designer at Great Rooms in Camarillo. "We are using fabrics that are weather, fade and mold resistant and clean well, but they are an extension of the home."

One of the big outdoor trends this season is accessories. Everything from tables to lamps to privacy screens tailored to match cushions is all the rage. But the starting point should be the larger pieces that will truly define the space.

Manufacturer Brown Jordan, in business since 1945 and whose original "luxury leisure collections" marked the birth of outdoor furniture, sets the standard for the industry. The company creates pieces in cast, wrought and extruded aluminum; stainless steel, resin weave and teak wood.

Seamless welds, alternative tabletops of granite or synthetic stone and stunning architectural lines in every design style are the hallmarks of the dozens of collections that look and feel good from every angle.

One look at the Asian-inspired "Fusion" collection and you'll be tempted to make it your new living room suite. Lovers of the modern and minimalist look will gravitate to the "Nxt" collection constructed of stainless-steel square frames with see-through sling-style seat backs and bottoms in primary colors that appear to float in the frame.

But the trend is not necessarily hinging on the classic metal frames that consumers associate with outdoor furniture. In fact, designers are creating spaces that use indoor furniture, sectional sofas and accent pieces like pillows and lamps to create inviting environments. The difficulty in choosing these pieces is in finding the proper fabric to give it both the personal style that a true outdoor living space requires, the comfort of the indoors and the durability needed to weather the elements.

"Durability is in the treatment at the manufacturing level," Hilton said. "The fabrics we use are durable and they offer an enormous variety from solids to textures to patterns."

Sunbrella fabrics are the source that Hilton and her business partner Anne Mulligan turn to. Even their local dealers, company's like Gensun Casual in Ontario, are using fabric from the North Carolina-based Sunbrella to create outdoor furniture of all kinds. The result of over 45 years of ongoing research and development, Sunbrella's color pigments are fully blended into its "high performance fiber."

"The outdoor space should be a reflection of the homeowner's personality," Hilton said. "Our clients have often spent a good deal of money on their hardscape, and they want to enjoy their yard. Using candle lighting, outdoor rugs and artwork make a space more comfortable than just sitting in the grass."

She recommends using candle lighting, outdoor rugs and artwork to make the patio more cozy. This enhances the indoor/outdoor transition, especially if the patio is off the kitchen. But where ever the space is to be found, the most important consideration before decorating is always the basic question of space planning.

"Look at how you want to use the space, and choose wisely," Hilton said. "If you want a cozy seating area to curl up with a book, then a comfortable chair is key. If you are looking for a place to having relaxing conversation, you need a chat table and a few chairs. Fabrics can be pulled to coordinate existing or new indoor décor, but making it smart choice means knowing how your really want to use the space."

All of these choices come with a cost, but Hilton finds that customers are no longer surprised by the price tag these days. A properly done space will easily run into a few thousand dollars. Homeowners seeking to spice up the patio should develop a long-term design plan, consider the cost of the investment and deal with a company that offers service for the future.

"A well-selected and designed patio should be totally useful, enjoyable and calling your family outside for years to come," she says.

(Rosa Colicci, The Pittsburgh Post Gazette contributed to this story.)