Outdoor living areas have become major part of our home space in recent years. Livings rooms and kitchens have found their place outdoors and are featuring more amenities than indoor spaces. The fresh air as well as the feeling of freedom and openness have drawn most households to rethink where their entertainment areas should be.

As expensive as it can be to set up rooms outdoors, anyone can begin their outdoor adventure small and build onto it through the years. Here are some tips to starting your outdoor kitchen and living areas on a small budget:

1. Create an awning or roof by using a large tarp. Tarps are fairly inexpensive and can be easily tied to poles.

2. Have an old dining set? Then move it outdoors. If it is wood, lightly sand all of the pieces and give it a coat of marine varnish to protect it from humidity, dew and rain. If it is metal, spray with a coat of enamel paint that protects metal from rust.

3. Need a barbecue? Old fashioned charcoal barbecues are quite cheap. The food will taste better too. Hint: do not buy the charcoal that is already soaked in lighting fluid as it can make your food take on the taste of the fluid. Purchase regular charcoal.

4. Need a fire pit? It is important to create a designated area for a fire pit. Pick the area and dig up the grass and level the remaining dirt. Surround the border of the fire pit with cinder blocks, bricks or a fire ring. These will keep the fire contained to the area. Stack the wood in the middle and you are ready to go. Remember to keep children away from fire.

5. If there is already a covered area, a television can be brought outside. It is best to bring it back indoors when not in use. When leaving a television outdoors, make sure to keep it covered when not in use to prevent damage from humidity, dew and rain.

6. Buy inexpensive chairs made for outdoors. Give them a custom look by adding cushions that can be bought or made.

7. Add some inexpensive games to your outdoor living such as horseshoes and badminton.

8. Finally, decorate with some plants and flowers to give your new area some color. If you are not good with plants, use silk flowers which can be purchased at any dollar outlet (these will probably have to be replaced halfway through the season).

It doesn't take much time or money to create an outdoor living space whether you are in a home or an apartment. Get creative and remember not to break the budget since anything outdoors will have to be replaced more often due to the wear and tear from the weather. It is more important to get out and enjoy your new outdoor living area.