5 Decorating Tips to Bring Colour Outdoors

Besides all the good they do – waking up our gardens and boosting our moods being just two of their best tricks – the first rays of spring sunshine can also reveal a multitude of decorating sins that tend to go unnoticed in the shorter days of winter.

But not to worry, because whether you’re targeting wood, metal, masonry or miscellany, our range of durable exterior paint finishes can offer a helping hand. Keep reading for our top tips on breathing some life into your outdoor space – whatever form it might take – with colour and finish.

1. All Features Great and Small

Whether your garden is a large landscaped plot, a single window box bursting with blooms, or anything in between, colour is a wonderful way to ensure it feels connected to your indoor space. Highlighting an outdoor feature in a shade you’ve used inside the house is a surefire shortcut to indoor-outdoor flow, perfect for long summer evenings with the doors thrown open.

2. Be Bold

Colours will always appear lighter in full sunlight, so when choosing a colour for your front door, fencing or masonry, don’t be afraid to go a few shades darker or bolder than you would usually. We recommend painting a sample pot onto a piece of card and checking you’re happy with how your chosen colour appears outdoors before you take the plunge.

3. Go For Green

When it comes to creating a naturalistic look, nothing beats green. On plant pots or fences, organic shades such as Lichen and Vert de Terre step back and let brightly coloured blooms take centre stage, while deeper, darker shades create a striking contrast with paler planting schemes.

4. Freshen Up Your Furniture

If your outdoor furniture has seen better days, there’s a more economical and environmentally friendly alternative to trading it in for a brand new set. You can treat lacklustre wood and metal garden furniture to an entirely new look and add longevity in one fell swoop with our ultra-hardy Exterior Eggshell or Full Gloss finishes. Properly applied, they’ll resist peeling, cracking, and fading for six years.

5. Don't Forget Accessories

Thinking smaller when it comes to colour can hold big rewards. Plant pots, baskets and raised beds can be matched to their contents – Brassica makes a particularly lovely partner for pollinator-friendly lavender – or painted in a contrasting tone for a striking effect.