Easy ways to refresh outdoor furniture
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.
Jacky Parker is a London-based freelance journalist and content creator, specialising in interiors, travel and food. From buying guides and real home case studies to shopping and news pages, she produces a wide range of features for national magazines and SEO content for websites
A long-time contributor to Livingetc, as a member of the team, she regularly reports on the latest trends, speaking to experts and discovering the latest tips. Jacky has also written for other publications such as Homes and Gardens, Ideal Home, Red, Grand Designs, Sunday Times Style and AD, Country Homes and Interiors and ELLE Decoration.
-
-
How big should an outdoor dining table be? This size will make entertaining al fresco more comfortable
The right size outdoor dining table is key to making sure your guests aren't sitting on top of each other. Here's the size experts suggest, and the best to buy
By Aditi Sharma Maheshwari • Published
-
'Instant ambience boosters!' The 6 best plants for an outdoor dining area which all create a relaxing atmosphere
The best plants for an outdoor dining area include scented flowers, aromatic herbs and sweet baby fruit bushes to elevate your alfresco experience
By Sarah Wilson • Published
-
Black Friday furniture deals: these are the places we're most excited to shop at this year, at up to 80% off
Find the best places to shop for furniture deals this Black Friday, plus a curated pick of the Livingetc editors' favorite discount discoveries
By Hugh Metcalf • Published
-
Front door ideas – how to choose the perfect style for your home
Our front door ideas will guide you through picking out the most practical, and stylish design to create a beautiful first impression
By Hebe Hatton • Published
-
Black Friday bedding deals you won't want to miss: up to 50% off luxury bedding
Upgrade your bedding and get ready to hit hibernation mode with our pick of the best Black Friday bedding sales, including discounts at Liberty, John Lewis, Amara, and more
By Amy Lockwood • Published
-
18 stylish decking ideas for gardens, backyards and patios
Let these gorgeous garden decking ideas inspire you to upgrade your outdoor space no matter what size you are working with
By Lotte Brouwer • Last updated
-
37 modern garden ideas to transform your outdoor space whatever the size
Get inspired by these striking modern garden ideas, from sleek patio ideas and how to style a deck, to gorgeous flower bed design and tips on perfecting your planting
By Lotte Brouwer • Last updated
-
Modern outdoor furniture ideas – stylish looks for modern gardens and backyards
We've pulled together plenty of modern outdoor furniture ideas to refresh and revive your outdoor space no matter what size or style
By Hebe Hatton • Published
-
The simple way to a more sustainable and stylish life with Fisher & Paykel
This incredible new tech saves time, energy and has become the washing machine you need to know about
By Sponsored • Published
-
Small backyard ideas – 10 stylish ideas for small backyards
These small backyard ideas add masses of style to small outdoor spaces
By Caroline Donald • Last updated