The sun is shining, new plants and flowers are sprouting, and many people are looking to spruce up their outdoor living spaces because they expect to move more of their indoor relaxation time outside.
There are easy ways to make an outdoor living space feel new and exciting again. Two projects that a homeowner can embrace to increase the welcome factor involve paint, and that can make a huge difference. Painting the outside of a home or even updating outdoor furniture with a little paint can completely change the look of a space and create a bit of a surprise for visitors. And really, there’s no limit to your creativity with your paint choices.
Choosing the right color
When you’re choosing a color, you may want to think about the overall vision for your home and how you want your outdoor space to feel. Some colors are known to bring on certain emotions. For instance, blue tones are associated with calm, while reds are more of an angry color.
Bright, bold colors have become popular over the past few years — like Sherwin Williams’ Passionate (a plum color), or Long Horizon (a deep blue), or even Copper Kettle (which has a decidedly mustard/orange hue). But in 2021, other companies are going with color collections that are bit more muted, though still eye-catching. Behr also has a more pastel color palette for 2021, perhaps a nod to the idea that people are looking for more relaxation and calm after the chaos of 2020.
In Marengo, the paint store at Hinkle Hardware has been busy, and paint is going out the door quickly for outdoor projects. But manager Cecelia Leonard said the color she’s had to reorder most often isn’t one of those the paint companies are pointing to for trends.
“Black seems to be popular,” she said. “I’ve had to reorder more black and dark colors than anything else.”
The store also sells darker stains and sealants for outdoor furniture or buildings, and she noted that it’s not uncommon to see white and red as a popular combination for outbuildings like barns in the area.
Additionally, chalk paint and sealing wax are popular options with the clientele at Hinkle Hardware’s paint store, Leonard said.
Choosing the right formulation and preparing furniture
Better results come with a little preparation. Removing old flaking paint and rust from items you wish to paint will likely lead to a more attractive finish when the new paint dries. It’s also important to evaluate your furniture before stocking up on paint. If the piece is damaged, it may be worth repairing — or even replacing — before starting to paint.
Not all paint will work for just any piece of furniture. What the piece is made of can make a difference in the paint that should be used. For wicker, wood or metal furniture, a spray paint without primer is a popular choice. There are also spray paints created for use with plastic or resin furniture.
