Entertain outdoors in style this holiday season with these tips for decorating courtyards, gardens and patios
Got friends or family visiting for the summer? With the holiday season and Christmas right around the corner Resene has some great tips for sprucing up your outdoor space and entertaining in style.
Now is the perfect time for some early odd jobs to get you ready for hosting your friends and family. A good place to start is cleaning your wooden furniture and outdoor areas with Resene Timber and Deck Wash, and a weekend is all your need to re-stain a deck using Resene Woodsman Decking Oil Stain.
Add a few touches of Resene colour to take your outdoor areas to the next level and voilà, you have a stylish, crisp outdoor space to be proud of.
Rejuvenate tired outdoor furniture with Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss waterborne enamel in your favourite Resene hues. Table and bench painted in Resene Casper, seats painted in Resene Smokescreen, pots on the table in Resene London Hue and Resene Karaka, large pots in Resene Neutral Bay and Resene Gunmetaland vase on books in Resene Cut Glass. Jug from Everyday Needs, tray and throw from Bolt of Cloth, slippers from Superette, palms from Palmers Garden World Remuera.Project by Amber Armitage, image by Aimee Magne.
Reuse and refresh
You don't need to race outdoors and buy new furniture. Repainting furniture is an option that can really transform a space and adding colour can be used as a focal point for family and friends to gather around. Use Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss tinted to the colour of your choice to paint outdoor furniture or restain with Resene Woodsman or Resene Timber and Furniture Gel.
Modernise a dated colour scheme with colours from the latest Resene The Range fashion colours to really get your outdoor areas on point. Try painting plant pots using Resene testpots to tie the look together. Simply apply a basecoat of Resene Aquapel & Terracotta Sealer inside and out of your terracotta pots before applying your favourite colours.
Trellis is a cost effective way to transform an outdoor space or conservatory. Back wall painted in Resene Triple White Pointer, side wall in Resene Half Friar Grey with Resene FX Paint Effects medium mixed with Resene Quarter Friar Grey to create a marbled effect, tongue-and-groove flooring in Resene Triple White Pointer, trellis panels painted in Resene Woodsman Whitewash, patio bar in Resene Ironsand and wood top in Resene Friar Greystone, large plant pot and small vase in Resene All Black and small plant pot and small vases in Resene Tapa. Dining table and chairs from Early Settler, wooden pallets from Mitre 10, large palm and Sonora bromeliad plant from Adairs, tumblers from Città, wine glasses from Adairs, black plates and bowl, drink dispenser, pizza board from The Warehouse, throw from Shut the Front Door. Project by Vanessa Nouwens, image by Wendy Fenwick
Transform with trellis
Trellis is a really simple and cost-effective way to make your outdoor areas sing. Trellis can be used to demarcate ‘zones’ for designated purposes on your deck, patio, garden or courtyard. You might want to create an outdoor area for cooking and a place for dining or a reading nook. Staining or painting pavers is another way to create a visual cue to define spaces outdoors.
Trellis also creates visual interest and cosy texture. Get creative by transforming trellis into a fresh feature against your wall, or by painting some simple pallets and adding a bar to your outdoor space.
Awesome walls
Try creating a stunning feature wall to break up colours and create further texture. Resene FX Paint Effects medium can be used to create the two-toned look of natural stone, limestone, adobe or mudbrick. Nature inspired or biophilic aesthetics are huge in the design world right now and studies have shown that exposure to the outdoors and natural shapes and forms can make us feel content. To create a look of limestone try painting a basecoat of Resene Half Friar Greystone before using a large brush in a swirly motion to apply Resene FX Paint Effects medium mixed with Resene Quarter Friar Greystone. You can wipe off excess paint with a clean, dry rag to create a marbled effect. If creating a two-toned wall in an outside area try using Resene Hot Weather Additive which will slow down the drying time and help you create your look.
To emulate the mottled look of concrete on wood and other non-concrete surfaces, use Resene FX Paint Effects medium. Wall and floor painted in Resene Triple White Pointer with Resene Carrara and Resene FX Paint Effects medium on top, coffee table in Resene Duck Egg Blue, tray and tealight holder in Resene Inside Back, vase in Resene Rising Tide, DIY plant pots striped in Resene Thor, Resene Duck Egg Blue, Resene Cararra and Resene Inside Back. Sofa and cushions from Outside Space, carafe from H&M Home.Project by Vanessa Nouwens, image by Bryce Carleton
Paving the way to style
Use a statement piece of furniture, such as this outdoor chair, as the inspiration for your colour palette. To find tones that match your pieces, use the Resene ColourMatch tool. Wall, floor and planter box painted in Resene Half Tapa with Resene FX Paint Effects medium mixed with Resene Half Atmosphere, round plinth table in Resene Half Blanc, larger plant pot in Resene Half Bokara Grey with feathered top in Resene Half Blanc, smaller plant pot in Resene Half Bokara Grey with feathered top in Resene Alamo and bowl in Resene Alamo. Umbrella, umbrella stand, outdoor rug and mirror from Briscoes, grasses and garden lights from Mitre 10, chair and bottle from 10 Curated, shoes from Gathered & Co. Project by Melle van Sambeek, image by Bryce Carleton.
Don’t underestimate the impact your paths and floor can have on your outdoor areas. While what’s underfoot might not be front and centre, a clean and fresh floor will do a lot to tie your look together.
If your courtyard has concrete or concrete pavers, try refreshing the colour with Resene Concrete Stain. To stain weathered concrete, clean the concrete by water blasting at 21,000 kps (3000 psi). If the concrete is infested with moss or mould treat with Resene Moss & Mould Killer. Once the surface is dry, apply Resene Concrete Stain by brush, short-nap synthetic fibre roller or spray.
For timber decks, water blasting is not recommended as the water pressure can damage the wood fibres. Simply use Resene Timber and Deck Wash to clean up the surface before rejuvenating with Resene Woodsman Decking Oil Stain.
If you have stairs or a path on a slop, consider painting with Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path. This gritty textured paint is easier to grip on to reducing the chances of slips. This is a particularly wise idea if you have young children or elderly visitors coming to stay.
Pick a theme
Create a subtle nod to a coastal theme by pairing blues with a grey undertone with grey-toned off whites. Wall painted in Resene Triple Merino, deck stained in Resene Woodsman Tiri, screen painted in Resene Bounty (outside rim) and Resene Big Stone (inside slats), ombre plant pot in Resene Half Gull Grey and Resene Balderdash, medium plant pot in Resene Alabaster and braided plant pot in Resene Bluff. Sofa and table from Outside Spaces, cushion from Collect Living. Project by Kate Alexander, image by Bryce Carleton.
Garden areas, particularly those with multiple zones, can be tricky to make look cohesive. A theme is a way to tie together a disparate look. Why not try a subtle nautical or coastal theme, perfect for baches, summer and the holidays. Use furniture and décor such as plant pots, screens and fabrics painted in nautical or coastal colours such as Resene Triple Merino, Resene Big Stone and Resene Bounty to tie your look together. Your theme could also be inspired by an outdoor location, try Tuscan hues such as Resene Wild West and Resene Tuscany, recreate a Parisian courtyard with Resene Paris White and Resene Rice Cake or bring in a touch of Palm Springs with breeze blocks painted in Resene Martini and plant pots in Resene Soothe and Resene Swirl. Who needs to travel?
Whether you’re expecting a large gathering these holidays, or simply want to transform your backyard into a quiet sanctuary, there are plenty of ways to rejuvenate these spaces to make the most of the outdoors.
Top tip: Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen is a durable waterborne paint, ideal for exterior conditions. Use Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen for everything from weatherboards and fences to brickwork, landscaping, furniture and planters. The low sheen finish helps to hide surface imperfections.
Published: 08 Dec 2022
Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing [email protected].
Resene Casper
Resene Smokescreen
Resene Smokescreen
Resene London Hue
Resene London Hue
Resene Karaka
Resene Neutral Bay
Resene Neutral Bay
Resene Gunmetal
Resene Gunmetal
Resene Cut Glass
Resene Cut Glass
Resene Triple White Pointer
Resene Triple White Pointer
Resene Ironsand
Resene Ironsand
Resene Friar Grey
Resene Friar Grey
Resene All Black
Resene All Black
Resene Tapa
Resene Half Friar Grey
Resene Half Friar Grey
Resene Quarter Friar Grey
Resene Quarter Friar Grey
Resene White Pointer
Resene White Pointer
Resene Duck Egg Blue
Resene Duck Egg Blue
Resene Thor
Resene Half Tapa
Resene Half Tapa
Resene Atmosphere
Resene Atmosphere
Resene Half Blanc
Resene Half Blanc
Resene Alamo
Resene Triple Merino
Resene Triple Merino
Resene Bounty
Resene Big Stone
Resene Big Stone
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Bluff
Resene Wild West
Resene Wild West
Resene Tuscany
Resene Tuscany
Resene Paris White
Resene Paris White
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Martini
Resene Martini
Resene Soothe
Resene Swirl
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
Resene Casper
Resene Smokescreen
Resene Smokescreen
Resene London Hue
Resene London Hue
Resene Karaka
Resene Neutral Bay
Resene Neutral Bay
Resene Gunmetal
Resene Gunmetal
Resene Cut Glass
Resene Cut Glass
Resene Triple White Pointer
Resene Triple White Pointer
Resene Ironsand
Resene Ironsand
Resene Friar Grey
Resene Friar Grey
Resene All Black
Resene All Black
Resene Tapa
Resene Half Friar Grey
Resene Half Friar Grey
Resene Quarter Friar Grey
Resene Quarter Friar Grey
Resene White Pointer
Resene White Pointer
Resene Duck Egg Blue
Resene Duck Egg Blue
Resene Thor
Resene Half Tapa
Resene Half Tapa
Resene Atmosphere
Resene Atmosphere
Resene Half Blanc
Resene Half Blanc
Resene Alamo
Resene Triple Merino
Resene Triple Merino
Resene Bounty
Resene Big Stone
Resene Big Stone
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Bluff
Resene Wild West
Resene Wild West
Resene Tuscany
Resene Tuscany
Resene Paris White
Resene Paris White
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Martini
Resene Martini
Resene Soothe
Resene Swirl
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.