There are many ways to make your garden more appealing, from planting new flowers to growing a tree or even installing a pond or patio. There are also things you can do to make what you already have more visually striking, without any of the pricey legwork. Lots of gardens have furniture in them and changing up this furniture is one of the best ways to give your garden a whole new look.                                                              

Most garden furniture is either made of wood or plastic. While plastic furniture is often available in a wide range of different colours and styles you’ll find that if you want a specific finish for your wooden garden furniture, you’ll have to paint it yourself.

But how do you paint this furniture? This guide will take a look into some of the preparation, painting options and the process itself that needs to be carried out in order to get the best possible results.

Before you begin work on your garden furniture, it is best to make sure you have everything you’re going to need.

• Exterior gloss paint (colours are up to you)
• Paint brush x2 (of different sizes)
• Roller
• Dusting brush or older brush
• Exterior primer
• Sandpaper (thick and course)
• Sanding block
• Wiping rag

You should also decide on the colours you’d like to paint your furniture before beginning. Changing your mind mid-way through won’t only take up more time but make a bigger hole in your bank account.  

Scour your furniture for any bits of wood that may be rotten or flaking off – if the damage you find is localised, you may simply be able to remove these bits of wood using a hammer and chisel. 

If the damage is more significant to the point that the furniture is unstable it may be best to replace it instead.

Once large pieces have been removed, use sandpaper to sand away any old paint flakes, bubbles or chips in the furniture. Make sure you get every last area before applying paint to avoid having to go back to it later and risk damaging your paintwork. 

Use a dusting or older brush to ensure that you clear all of the dust and flakes off of the surfaces of your furniture before carrying on to the next step. 

Apply an even coat of exterior primer. This should be done with a brush, and at least one full coat should be applied to the entire piece of furniture, before leaving it to dry. This can take anywhere between 6 and 12 hours, with most primers setting within 8-10 hours.

You can now start to paint your furniture, using your choice of colour. It is best to turn your furniture upside down and start on the undersides before moving to the upper surfaces. The size of your brush should be in line with the size of your furniture. Smaller patio chairs and stalls should be painted with a small-to-medium-sized brush to get into all of the small gaps and crevices in one efficient coat. 

For a larger surface, a roller would be ideal. You will be able to get a solid, consistent amount of paint across the surface in just a few movements. This can then be followed up with a brush to push the paint into any crevices that the roller couldn't reach. 

In an ideal situation, you will use both a roller and a small brush, though a larger brush can replace the roller fairly effectively.  

Before you begin, stir the paint in the can thoroughly before applying, eliminating as many bubbles, lumps and sludgy areas as possible. Then, apply a generous coating to your brush or roller, before spreading it evenly over your chosen surface. Paint evenly along the grain of the wood. Following its general pattern direction (if there is one) is a good way to ensure a fantastic result.  

Apply the first coat in its entirety before waiting for it to dry. The length of time you will need to wait will vary between brands. Once it has dried, you can decide whether or not another coat is needed. Only when it is dry will you get a clearer idea of how the furniture will look – paint usually looks very different when wet from how it appears when dry.

And there you have it – a finely painted set of garden furniture. Of course, whether you only decide to apply only one colour or opt for something a little more vivid and dazzling is up to you. Keep in mind, however, that each different colour or coat will need to be applied at a different time to avoid the colours running into each other. Always remember to check brand-specific guides when it comes to mixing or applying shades alongside one another.