From small, flagged spaces to sprawling green pastures, gardens are a great way to enjoy the outdoors at home. So, it’s only natural that you want to make sure it’s a space you love. That’s where garden furniture paint can help.
When choosing garden paint colours, it’s often easier to be brave and experiment more freely than indoors. Adding a pop of colour by painting small pieces, like an outside table or chair, is a great way to experiment before going all out on your fences or shed.
Compared to inside, there are many different surfaces, textures and features from plants to architecture. Also, because there is more natural light outside than inside, colours tend to look a little different, so the same rules of decorating do not apply.
Whether it’s a table and chairs, shed, fencing or something else entirely, garden furniture has a big impact on the look and feel of any garden. But over time, those items can become worn, faded or worse for wear. Alternatively, you might simply want a new colour on some of your items.
Thankfully, there are a range of garden furniture paint colours that can revamp or refresh your outdoor space. To give you a little inspiration, we’ll take a look at seven of our favourite garden paint colours…
1. Greens
Green is the quintessential colour of the outdoors, so it’s only right that it starts off our list of glorious garden furniture paint colours. Hugely varied, greens can range from pale and soft through to bold and vibrant and even earthy. They are all rooted in nature which makes them a great choice for pretty much any garden painting project.
That’s exemplified brilliantly by this chic outdoor bar using Wise Old Sage…
You can go even bolder with a crisp green like Apple of My Eye, which is equal parts juicy and refreshing. Use on garden chairs for a light and lively seating space…
Or try it on your fence to give your garden a beautifully bright border…
2. Greys
If you want a garden paint colour that’s timeless and versatile, greys are the perfect fit. They go with pretty much any other colour and are practically always on-trend. Best of all, you can achieve different effects with the vast array of grey shades on offer.
Choose a mid-grey shade like Greyhound to keep things relaxed and understated …
Or go deep with a charcoal grey like Smudge, for an ultra-modern look…
3. Blues
As the colour that links the sky and the sea, blue is brilliant if you want to add an oasis-like atmosphere to your garden. Mimic Greek island architecture with a mid-blue like Ol’ Blue Eyes, paired with a bright white like Dazzle Me!. Or create a real statement with the richest of blues like Kiss Me Sloely…
4. Pastels
If you want your garden to be a tranquil retreat, subtle pastel colours are a great choice. They echo some of the most beautiful, delicate plants and flowers with shades like pink, purple and blue. Pastels like muted pink Dusky Blush are an excellent choice for larger objects without being overwhelming. But they work equally well on smaller pieces to complement your space as a whole…
5. Black
Black is back! But did it ever leave? While it can seem like a bit of a scary colour, black provides a fantastic backdrop for plants – a black fence really shows up all the different greens – and can make boundaries seemingly recede. It also works well with other paint colours, whether neutral, soft pastel or bright and cheerful, by adding a sense of grounding and stability.
The ultimate deep, dark shade can give a new lease of life to anything from ornaments and statement pieces to traditional metal fencing and gates. It’s also amazing on the legs and frames of tables and benches – like this transformation of a tired rattan set using decking boards and Blackjack paint…
6. White
Whites and off-whites are an amazing way to brighten up your outdoor space, reflecting plenty of light. They can give off a beach vibe or even create a country chic look, like the on-trend New England style. That’s definitely the case with this uber-cool sofa set, which has been transformed using Cream Dream…
7. Metallics!
Last but certainly not least are metallics. These densely pigmented paints can be used to embellish small areas like a fence border or finer details such as handles. That said, they’re also perfect if you want to add the wow factor to a statement piece. These throne-like planters featuring silvery Jubilee are a case in point…
Colour Matching With Garden Paint
The colour groups above should provide you with plenty of inspiration for garden furniture paint colours. But let’s not forget how much garden furniture there is to play around with. Tables, chairs, swings, sheds, fences, planters – the list goes on…
Even if you’re only painting one of these, you might find that you catch the upcycling or crafting bug after revamping your first item. A quick lick of paint on your garden chair soon turns into a full refresh of your entire garden.
As such, the next question is how to pair garden paint colours? Here are some ideas using our blog post on picking complementary paint colours:
- Direct complements – Colours opposite each other on the colour wheel, such as red and green, blue and orange, yellow and purple. These provide a good contrast of warm and cold colours.
- Play around with shades – Using a darker green with a lighter red or muted pink, for example, allows you to find your favourite pairing of complementary colours.
- Split components – You can also use the next colour along from a direct complement. So, instead of blue and orange, would be blue and yellow.
- Analogous colours – Another option is to use garden paint colours that are next to one another on the colour wheel, such as blues with greens and yellows.
Consider other colours in your garden too. The green grass, floral colours or sandstone paving, for example, will all play their part in the overall look and feel of the space. It’s usually best to stick to three main colours – selecting your boldest colour first then choosing others based on that. Above all else, have fun with it – you can always repaint furniture if you want to change things up.
4 tips for garden furniture paint
You’ve got some inspiration for garden paint colours, now onto some tips to make sure those colours shine. The four key areas to consider are paint, preparation, conditions and application…
Paint
First is your choice of paint. We’ll keep it simple – it needs to be weather-proof, which means both water- and UV-resistant. You’ll also need to make sure it’s suitable for the surface your painting, whether that’s wood, metal, uPVC or something else entirely. Lastly, to make your life a whole lot easier, choose a self-priming paint like Frenchic’s Al Fresco range! That way you save the expense of a primer and the time of applying it!
Preparation
Preparation is next. Assess your project to make sure it’s in a suitable condition for painting – complete any necessary repairs. Items should be cleaned thoroughly and left to dry completely. Then sand lightly to ensure a good surface for painting. If you have chosen self-priming paint, you are then good to go!
Conditions
Painting outdoors means you’re susceptible to the weather. Before starting, it’s best to check the weather forecast to make sure it’s dry for the next 48 hours. Temperature is also important – you’ll want the weather to stay below 32°C and above 10°C.
Finally, it’s best to avoid direct sunlight, which can cause paint to dry too quickly – not to mention making things more uncomfortable for you.
Application
When applying your favourite garden furniture paint colours, make sure you follow the coverage advice on the tin. Spreading paint too thinly can result in poor weatherproofing and a patchy finish, while using too much will increase the risk of brush marks, droplets and paint running as it dries.
Garden furniture paint FAQs
Last but not least, here are some answers to the most frequently asked questions about garden paint to keep you on the right track…
What kind of paint do you use on outdoor furniture?
Whatever your favourite garden furniture paint colours, the product needs to be water-resistant, UV-resistant and suitable for the surface you’re painting. Common garden furniture surfaces include wood and uPVC, both of which are suitable for our Al Fresco range.
Does outdoor furniture need to be primed before painting?
If you choose a self-priming paint like Frenchic, then the only thing you need to do before painting is regular prep (clean and sand). Otherwise, you should prime outdoor furniture before painting using a priming product that’s suitable for your chosen surface – such as wood primer for wooden furniture.
Do you have to sand outdoor furniture before painting?
Absolutely! Sanding is thoroughly recommended as it will provide a better surface for painting, removing any old loose paint or imperfections. It will also abrade the wood, uPVC or other surface. This allows paint to grip to the surface better, for better adhesion and longer lasting results.
The ultimate garden furniture paint
While choosing colours is vital to get the look and feel of your garden just right, the choice of paint itself is even more important. At Frenchic, we’ve formulated our Al Fresco range to tick every box for outdoor use. It’s waterproof, UV resistant and suitable for use on wood, laminate, uPVC and metal. To make things easier, it’s also self-priming, self-sealing and self-levelling for little to no brush marks.
That doesn’t mean there’s any compromise on colour though! Choose from 20 best-selling garden furniture paint colours, with exciting Limited Editions added annually. Pick your favourite today, then get started on your garden furniture paint projects!
