Spring painting and decorating tips from Resene experts

What can we do to prepare our homes for warmer weather?
Treat your outdoor areas for moss and mould and get them ready for summer. It’s a good time to clean your exterior and check areas that may require maintenance. You can then plan for jobs you’ll need to get completed over the summer months.

What are your tip painting tips for spring conditions?
Check the forecast and plan accordingly. As always, if your clothes won’t dry on your washing line then your paint won’t dry either. The weather is starting to warm up, so you’ll need to be mindful of leaving enough time for the paint to dry before the temperature drops and the dew point hits. It’s a good time of year to utilise Resene Umbrella Additive, the weather can change quickly during spring and this product can help save the paint if an unexpected light shower hits.

What Resene colours do you like at the moment?
Resene La Palma, it’s a merry and proactive emerald green, and Resene Dark Oak – it’s my home stain colour. 

Are you planning any projects at your place during spring?
I’ll be treating my patio and walkways with Resene Moss & Mould Killer, pressure washing and then spraying with the quick and easy Resene Deep Clean. That’ll help keep the areas clean and tidy for summer. I have fencing and gates to paint and stain. I also need to get certain sides of my house ready for staining this summer.

What’s your must-have Resene product for spring?
Resene Umbrella Additive.

Five top tips for creating an inviting guest room in an easy, budget-friendly way.

Paint power
Paint is the cheapest way to completely transform a room. Choose soft, light and welcoming wall colours like warm greys, soft blues, sage greens or a creamy beige – these make the space feel airy and relaxing and very welcoming. I recommend Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen for the walls as it not only has a lovely finish, but it brings enamel-style toughness to walls. Don’t forget to test your colour choices with Resene testpots before confirming your selection – and remember, you can always paint over it if it doesn’t turn out how you imagined! Colours like Resene Cello (a stunning grey-blue) or Resene Rivergum (a nature green) can add interest to a neutral colour scheme while creating a relaxing holiday feel.  

Furniture facelift
Refresh old furniture with a fresh coat of Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss or check out the We Speak Beach range of Resene Colorwood wash hues like Resene Rising Tide, Resene Shore Thing or Resene Becalm.

Easy refresh
While the whole space may not need to be painted, a refresh of the trims and doors with Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss can make a huge difference.

Colour pop
Add pops of colour by upcycling picture frames, lamps and vases using Resene testpots. This is an inexpensive way to add interest and layer in a new colour scheme. Coordinate fresh bedding to bring the whole scheme together.

Here are five easy creative ways to elevate your outdoor living space using Resene paint and colours. 

Trellis transformation
One of the easiest ways to elevate your outdoor space is by painting or staining a trellis. Think about hanging some climbing plants to create a garden haven, use it for privacy or simply use it as a way to bring a new texture and shape into the space. For a painted finish use Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen, or for a stained look try Resene Waterborne Woodsman. To create a moody atmosphere opt for deeper colours such as Resene Treehouse, Resene Double Masala or Resene Blue Night.

Patio power
Make the most of the summer months by creating an outdoor space you love with Resene. A perfect way to do this is by painting your outdoor patio in a checkerboard pattern. For a Mediterranean look consider using earthy muted tones such as Resene Lemon Grass and Resene Thorndon Cream rather than high contrast colours. Use Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen as the topcoat, and for extra safety mix Resene Anti-Slip Grip Additive into the paint to reduce slipperiness. 

Rust do
After an interesting conversation starter? Consider using Resene FX Faux Rust Effect for a fence makeover. It’s a waterborne coating system used to create a rust look on your chosen surface. As time passes the product will continue to develop – think of it like a living, breathing part of your landscape that gets better with age. Should you wish to stop the development of the product, you can seal it with Resene Aquapel. 

Go potty
One of the most popular ways to spruce up your outdoor area is by giving your terracotta garden pots a new lease of life. It’s the perfect way to experiment with colour and patterns – think about whether you’d like to go for bold or muted tones, and bear in mind that it’s always easy to change as trends come and go. Our Resene testpots are the best way to approach this project, keeping it fun and cost effective. Try out colours from the Karen Walker range like Resene Weathered Yellow, Resene Half Smalt Blue and Resene Blanched Pink. 

Perfect features
If you have a bare wall that needs some love, consider turning it into a focal point with a splash of paint. Choose a colour that complements your surrounding garden, furniture and pots. If you’d like to go bold, try creating a mural or experiment with geometric shapes and colour blocking. For summer tones opt for Resene Tuscany or Resene Coast.