Paint brightens the outdoors
Light touches can breathe new life into homeowners’ spaces
With summer underway, warm weather and light breezes draw us outdoors. And we needn’t go too far, either. With the right decoration, we can transform our porch, deck or patio into an outdoor oasis that invites both fun and relaxation. Just a few light touches can breathe new life into our space.
Decorating your outdoor space can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. You can pick up free furniture on the side of the road or at your local thrift store and transform it into something new. The same can be done with current furniture that has a bit of wear and tear. It’s surprising how a little paint and fabric can turn a dilapidated old piece into a conversation piece.
Here are some ways you can fix up your outdoor pieces with Chalk Paint decorative paint by Annie Sloan:
Iron and metalwork furniture
Heavy iron or light metal patio furniture is ubiquitous and is usually finished in black exterior paint. However, over time, these sets lose their lustre and you often end up with a beat-up, cobweb-covered pile tucked away in a corner until you decide what the replacement will be.
You could invest in a new set that’ll run you at least $500, or you could refinish the one you currently have for the cost of a can of paint and a brush. Alternatively, you can forgo the brush and opt for a paint sprayer if you have one. It’ll make things go much faster.
Pick a weekend (or a few weekdays) where the weather will be sunny without any rain. To prepare, wash down your set and let it air dry. Using a 1:1 ratio of Chalk Paint to water, cover your set with a single coat of paint and let dry. After 24 hours, paint on a second layer and make sure to leave the set in the sun to dry and wait another 24 hours. Now you’re good to go.
Porches, wood furniture
Some of the nicest pieces of outdoor furniture are crafted out of wood but, over time, the wood can begin to rot, twist and break from exposure to the elements. The same happens with painted wooden porches: sooner or later, the paint will chip off and your entryway may start looking a little worse for wear.
To prepare your surface, be sure to clean it very well. For porches, sweep and power wash to remove as much grime and old paint as possible. Wood furniture can usually be wiped down but use your own judgment. After washing, let it dry for a few days in hot, dry weather. One of the most common causes of paint failure is due to painting a wet or moisture-embedded surface.
Once the preparation is complete, work a coat of Chalk Paint into the wood, diluting with a little water if the paint is very thick. Wait 24 hours and then paint the second coat. Remember that the paint only survives on wood surfaces that are not frequently saturated with water. In addition, scuff marks and heavy dirt will show up but can be washed off.
Fabric
Outdoor fabrics can be the bane of your existence; they start off with a bright, beautiful pattern and then fade into a ghostlike version of themselves within a year or two. You can consider reupholstering as an option but sometimes an easier solution can be found.
To refinish your fabric, simply create a 1:10 ratio of Chalk Paint to water in a container. Dampen the fabric with a light application of water, this will help the paint glide on much easier, and then apply your mixture. Give it 24 hours to dry completely and then you’re done.
General tips
When you paint outdoors, pick days that you know will yield warm, sunny weather. In addition to aiding in the drying process of your furniture and paint applications, the heat will also bake the paint onto the surface to create a tough, weatherproof finish. It’s recommended that you apply two coats of paint to your projects — one as a base and one as a finish, just in case you miss a spot. Lastly, waxes and lacquers are meant for indoor jobs, so don’t wax or varnish any outdoor furniture.