5 Decorating Tips to Bring Colour Outdoors - Farrow & Ball
Besides all the good they do – waking up our gardens and boosting our moods being just two of their best tricks – the first rays of spring sunshine can also reveal a multitude of decorating sins that tend to go unnoticed in the shorter days of winter.
But not to worry, because whether you’re targeting wood, metal, masonry or miscellany, our range of durable exterior paint finishes can offer a helping hand. Keep reading for our top tips on breathing some life into your outdoor space – whatever form it might take – with colour and finish.
1. All Features Great and Small
Whether your garden is a large landscaped plot, a single-window box bursting with blooms, or anything in between, colour is a wonderful way to ensure it feels connected to your indoor space. Highlighting an outdoor feature in a shade you’ve used inside the house is a surefire shortcut to indoor-outdoor flow, perfect for long summer evenings with the doors thrown open.
Above – Plant Pot: Crimson Red No.W93 in Exterior Eggshell; Lantern: Scotch Blue No.W24 in Exterior Eggshell; Below – Planter: Snow White No.W1, Ash Grey No.W9 and Sap Green No.W56 in Exterior Eggshell;
Watering Can: Crimson Red No.W93 in Exterior Eggshell
For the ultimate cohesive colour scheme, consider our Colour by Nature palette. Its 16 shades, each one drawn directly from the natural world, are now available in long-lasting Exterior Eggshell as well as our Estate and Modern ranges, so your fences, furniture and accessories can pick up right where you left off indoors.
Why not add one of our fabulous Lanterns
Large Woven Bamboo Lantern £79.99
Distressed Metal Arch Window Lantern £89.99.
2. Be Bold
Colours will always appear lighter in full sunlight, so when choosing a colour for your front door, fencing or masonry, don’t be afraid to go a few shades darker or bolder than you would usually. We recommend painting a sample pot onto a piece of card and checking you’re happy with how your chosen colour appears outdoors before you take the plunge.
Above – Front Door: Black Blue No.95 in Exterior Eggshell | Image from Recipes for Decorating; Below – Fence: Scotch Blue No.W24 in Exterior Eggshell; Bench: Dutch Orange No.W76 in Exterior Eggshell; Watering Can: Crimson Red No.W93 in Exterior Eggshell
Take a look at some of our outdoor furniture in our garden section all delivered within a week.
Whilst all wooden furniture is suitable for outdoor use, over time it will need treating.
3. Go For Green
When it comes to creating a naturalistic look, nothing beats green. On plant pots or fences, organic shades such as Lichen and Vert de Terre step back and let brightly coloured blooms take centre stage, while deeper, darker shades create a striking contrast with paler planting schemes. For the subtlest of looks, try a soft grey-green like Mizzle.
Below – Planter: Calke Green No.34 in Exterior Eggshell; Bench: Charlotte’s Locks No.268 in Exterior Eggshell; Above – Cladding and Window Frame:Mizzle No.266 in Exterior Eggshell
5. Don't Forget Accessories
Thinking smaller when it comes to colour can hold big rewards. Plant pots, baskets and raised beds can be matched to their contents – Brassica makes a particularly lovely partner for pollinator-friendly lavender – or painted in a contrasting tone for a striking effect. You can even use colour to create a welcoming space for wildlife, as the painters of this charming bird feeder have done.
See Product £185 Distressed Bath Wall Planter £228
Thanks to Farrow & Ball for the information.