Painters Know: Color Spices Up a Deck

Professional painters will tell you any dull or drab home can be given a whole new appearance if you apply a little imagination and creativity to it.  If this is all new to you and you are not very confident about your taste and ideas you can start in the back.  If you have a deck or patio in the back you can simply add some bold or bright colors.  You don’t have to buy all new furniture to do this, simply paint the old ones.  If you don’t have furniture and don’t want to spend a bundle, buy used stuff and color that.

Even if your deck or patio doesn’t need to be repainted the painters always start their projects with cleaning and that is best done with a power washer.  After the surface is clean and free of unwanted blemishes you can stain it or paint it.  If you have a fence, the painters would start with a bright complimentary color on the fence posts.  Use another bright color on the border of your deck, making sure the colors don’t clash.  Adding planters and benches in more distinct colors will give it a great unique look.  Looks are what a dock is all about. Most people find entertaining on their deck one of their favorite pass times so a snazzy looking back porch will make that even more pleasurable.

The furniture will set it apart.  Old wicker furniture can be made to look spectacular with a little paint and a protective coating on top of that.  Try finding old galvanized buckets or troughs that you can paint in bright colors to hold plants or to be an ice chest.  Add a unique piece of wood or rock to tie your deck in with the natural surroundings.  If you live in the mountains go for the colors of nature; green, brown, and gold.  If you desire the feel of the shore, use corals, blues and yellow.  If you ask a painter to suggest colors they will agree, go with what feels natural for your surroundings.

If you have done what you want to your deck and the rest of your house look pale in comparison, the painters will advise you start by adding new trim colors to your sheds or garage or playground equipment if you have it.  Next if those colors get you motivated try the trim color on your windows and door frames and window boxes if you have them.  Not all color has to come from paint.  You can add colored light for ambiance.  Just string little lights around the borders or bushes or add solar lights with colored glass along the walkways.

If the patio furniture is white and boring, you don’t have to paint it; you can just buy inexpensive coverings and seat cushions to go with your new color scheme.

The professional painters don’t always know best what you will like, but you do.  Do a little experimenting with color combinations.  Look through magazine or on your favorite websites for great home improvement ideas.  You will be glad you did.  Having a deck to come home to relax on that is beautifully decorated it a reward in itself.