Find sanctuary from summer heat in the backyard

By Ann Hoevel, CNN

Updated 1706 GMT (0106 HKT) July 18, 2013

<a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1005402">Emily Clark</a> livened up her patio with a colorful outdoor rug and spray painting a mirror and two garden stools.
Photos: Decorating the backyard
Open House: Backyard edition – Emily Clark livened up her patio with a colorful outdoor rug and spray painting a mirror and two garden stools.
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<a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1005429">Corrie Moore</a> and her husband painted their deck boards in tan and cream stripes to give the illusion of a larger deck.
Photos: Decorating the backyard
Open House: Backyard edition – Corrie Moore and her husband painted their deck boards in tan and cream stripes to give the illusion of a larger deck.
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<a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1003076">Laurie Jones</a>' large backyard includes an eating area, lounge area with a fireplace and even a bocce ball court.
Photos: Decorating the backyard
Open House: Backyard edition – Laurie Jones' large backyard includes an eating area, lounge area with a fireplace and even a bocce ball court.
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Look closely along <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1003221">Julia Konya</a>'s backyard fence, and you can see the "catio" tunnel she made so her indoor cats can enjoy the outside.
Photos: Decorating the backyard
Open House: Backyard edition – Look closely along Julia Konya's backyard fence, and you can see the "catio" tunnel she made so her indoor cats can enjoy the outside.
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<a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1004709">Tania Griffis</a>' swinging bed is her favorite spot in the backyard to curl up with a glass of wine and a good book at the end of the day.
Photos: Decorating the backyard
Open House: Backyard edition – Tania Griffis' swinging bed is her favorite spot in the backyard to curl up with a glass of wine and a good book at the end of the day.
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Covering the cement patio in her backyard with a wooden deck was <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1003973">Kelly Marzka</a>'s favorite decorating choice.
Photos: Decorating the backyard
Open House: Backyard edition – Covering the cement patio in her backyard with a wooden deck was Kelly Marzka's favorite decorating choice.
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<a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1004294">Lisa Sullivan</a> re-purposed her children's old wooden play set by building her own Adirondack chairs.
Photos: Decorating the backyard
Open House: Backyard edition – Lisa Sullivan re-purposed her children's old wooden play set by building her own Adirondack chairs.
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<a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1003447">Jill Chappell</a> made the most of her tiny backyard and deck with white string lights, rugs and lots of plants.
Photos: Decorating the backyard
Open House: Backyard edition – Jill Chappell made the most of her tiny backyard and deck with white string lights, rugs and lots of plants.
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<a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1003865">Rina Norwood</a> enjoys dining al fresco in the corner of her patio where she built a banquette and used salvage marble as a table top.
Photos: Decorating the backyard
Open House: Backyard edition – Rina Norwood enjoys dining al fresco in the corner of her patio where she built a banquette and used salvage marble as a table top.