With the long bank holiday weekends stretching ahead and the mercury finally set to rise, it's time to get the exteriors of our homes as on point as the interiors. After all, oncethe garden and outdoor furniture are in order, we're all set for some serious al-fresco dining.
If your existing bistro set or outdoor table and chairs are looking on the shabby side, it can be tempting to invest in a new set, but usually all that's required is a little spruce, with a rub down and a lick of exterior paint, so they're summer ready.
Likewiseexterior brickwork or rendering can benefit hugely from a paint refresh. Playful pops of colour inject vibrancy into your surroundings and add that all-important kerb appeal to your home and garden. Even plant pots and other decorative garden items can benefit from a coat or two of colour.
We're loving the Sandtex range of exterior colours in both gloss and satin finishes. They offer protection from the elements for up to ten years, and are available in a wide selection of bold, muted and pastel hues.
Sandtex Technical Consultant Matthew Brown, offers his top tips on getting ready to decorate. 'When decorating, ensure surfaces are clean and dry. Don’t decorate over something that isn’t sound – a good coating can’t make a poor surface into a good one! Use an appropriate primer that will provide a quality foundation for the paint to sit on. Ongoing maintenance is only needed when the surfaces look dull after cleaning.'
Looking for more outdoor ideas?
See our edit of Concrete Plantersand cool outdoor living spaces.
-
8 Types of Shower Heads — Just Design, or Do They Actually Make a Difference to How You Shower?Shower heads come with all kinds of bells and whistles these days — but do all these new technologies and design flourishes add to the experience? We asked the experts for their advice
-
I Asked Designers What Rug Colors They Don't Want to See Anymore in 2025 (and What They'd Style Instead)Your space deserves more than a stale gray rug or a dated geometric pattern that drags down the whole room
-
What Is Teak Wood? And Why Do Experts Swear by It for Outdoor Furniture? Experts Break Down the Pros and ConsThis material has been lauded as the gold standard for luxury outdoor furniture, but is it worthy of this status? Our experts break it down
-
10 Garden Lighting Ideas to Illuminate Your Outdoor Space in Style When the Sun Goes DownFrom ambient glows to dramatic uplighting, discover ten creative ways to light every corner of your outdoor space
-
10 Garden Screening Ideas That Will Create Boundaries, Hide Eyesores, and Give You All the Privacy You Could Wish forWhether you want privacy, different zones or a pretty property boundary, discover some attractive screening ideas that garden designers and landscapers suggest
-
8 Garden Canopy Ideas to Create Shelter for Your Outside Space in StyleEnjoy your outdoor space for longer with these beautiful canopy ideas from garden designers and landscapers
-
5 Outdated Garden Layouts You Should Avoid If You're Planning Your Outdoor Space Right NowFor a backyard design that feels current and contemporary, these are the outdated layouts that landscape designers want you to avoid
-
I Visited The Newt Hotel to Test My Hand At 'Creative Pruning' With the Best Japanese Tools — Here's What I LearnedThis gardening technique is the secret to the most eye-catching landscapes that last throughout the year
-
Before and After — How a Designer Turned a Small City Dirt Plot Into a Garden With a Fireplace, Breakfast Bar, and Outdoor ShowerDespite being in the heart of the city, this courtyard garden maintains the feeling of complete seclusion
-
9 Garden Trends That Landscapers and Gardening Experts Say We'll Be Seeing This YearSustainability and regenerative planting are the hottest topics of the moment
