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.