Outside living has gone well beyond a charcoal grill and some inexpensive garden furniture. We want our outdoors to be as comfortable and functional as indoors. Here are some timely suggestions to up the ante
on outdoor décor.

1. Lighting the way
Outdoor lighting can be as stylish as indoor illumination. The Devonshire Lantern by Fine Art Lamps would be at home inside or out. The 37-inch high lantern is 16 inches wide and has a forged bronze finish with antiqued gold highlights and textured glass. Suggested retail is $2,520. For local retailers, see www.fineartlamps.com.

2. Traveling tiles
Wish you had a nice footpath to your private beach? Ceramica del Conca has just introduced Due, a porcelain tile that can be installed directly on sand, gravel or grass though use of its adjustable plastic mounting system. The tile, which requires no grout or adhesive, is 20mm thick, twice the thickness of regular tile. Suggested retail, including the mounting system, is $10 per square foot. See www.delconca.com (there is an English version you can click to).

3. Grill of your dreams
Good cooks know that the secret to a great steak is searing. The 25,000 BTU Sear Zone is available in 36-inch or larger Wolf barbecue grills. The element emits exceptionally high heat to sear meats faster and deeper. Also included is dual halogen lighting to improve the view of the cooking surface. Prices start at $5,335. Available at House of Appliances, 600 N. Congress Ave., Suite 300, Delray Beach, 33445, 561-278-2299, www.houseofappliancesinc.com.

4. Tapping Japan
You no longer have to go to a Japanese restaurant to eat food grilled tableside. Cook-N-Dine in Miami distributes the teppanyaki grill, based on a patented compact electrical cook top. It is available in a countertop unit or as a grill inserted into a table. Models include: a 27 ½-inch round table with grill ($3,295), a 47-inch diameter table ($6,455) and a 35 ½-inch table with telescopic stand ($5,585). Custom sizes can be ordered. Available at Coral Springs Appliance, 3500 Coral Ridge Drive, Coral Springs, 33065, 954-752-3880, www.csappliances.com.

5. Contemporary spin
Designer Jennifer Clark selected a pair of these chairs from Lane Venture’s Spinnaker Collection for a model in the Bear’s Club in Jupiter. She loves the contemporary look with a reference to the classic Greek klismos chair. The synthetic wicker chair is durable polyethylene over extruded aluminum in a chocolate finish. Suggested retail is $2,399 each. For local retailers, visit www.laneventure.com.

— Charlyne Varkonyi Schaub