How to brighten up your outdoor table with paint

Table painted in Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen in Resene Kelp, Resene Half Linen and Resene Half Bokara Grey, walls and trims in Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen in Resene Triple Sea Fog, weatherboards in Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen in Resene Grey Friars and deck stained in Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain in Resene Iroko.

If your outdoor table is looking more weathered than welcoming, don’t rush to replace it. With just a few simple materials, Resene paint and a bit of patience, you can transform a tired wooden table into something that feels right at home in a beachside villa or Hamptons-style deck.

This project is all about clean lines and a sun-drenched palette. Inspired by vintage beach umbrellas, French grain sacks and European deck chairs, the look is laid-back but refined. These classic stripe patterns – typically in muted green, olive or charcoal – evoke al fresco dining, sunset cocktails and long lunches in the shade. The painted stripes become a built-in table runner and an eye-catching detail that completely reimagines and breathes new life into an everyday table.

Make some time when the weather is looking fine to prepare and paint your old timber table, ready for summer entertaining.

Drop cloth
Safety gear
Resene Moss & Mould Killer (optional)
Resene Timber and Deck Wash
Medium and fine grit sandpaper (or an electric sander)
Lint-free cloth or dusting brush
Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat (optional)
Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen in three colours (we used Resene Kelp, Resene Half Linen and Resene Half Bokara Grey)
Painter’s tape
String line and tacks
Tape measure and pencil
Small roller or paintbrushes

1

Clean

Set your table on a drop cloth in a sunny, dry spot. Give all surfaces a good clean with Resene Timber and Deck Wash – if there’s any mould or mildew, treat with Resene Moss & Mould Killer first. Leave to dry.

2

Sand

Sanding the surface with medium-grit sandpaper, followed by a finer grit for a smooth finish. This will help remove any flaking varnish or old paint.Wipe away all sanding dust and debris with a lint-free cloth or dusting brush.

This is an important step to ensure the paint and/or primer you apply over the top goes on evenly.

3

Prime if needed

If your table has bare patches or is raw timber, apply one coat of Resene Quick Dry to ensure a smooth, even finish. As our table was already painted, this step wasn’t necessary.

4

Paint the base colour

Apply your basecoat. We used Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen in the colour Resene Kelp. Use a roller or brush and apply two coats, allowing to dry between coats.

5

Paint the wide stripe

Using your tape measure, mark the width of the widest stripe. Using small tacks, nail string lines into place, then use painter’s tape to line up against the string line. Press the edges down firmly to prevent bleed-through. Remove the string lines.

Use a small brush or roller to paint inside the taped area with your lightest colour – we used Resene Half Linen. Apply two coats, allowing to dry between coats. Removing the tape.

Top tip: To prevent the lighter colour bleeding through the tape, paint over the edges of the tape with your base colour and leave to dry, then apply your lighter colour.

6

Paint the smaller stripes

Classic coastal stripes often feature one thick centre stripe bordered by two narrower ones. Mark out your lines with string, then painter’s tape as above.

Use a contrasting colour – we used Resene Half Bokara Grey – and paint inside the taped areas with a small brush or roller. Apply two coats, allowing to dry completely before removing the tape.

7

Finishing touches

Use a small artist brush to clean up any imperfections or paint bleed and stand back to admire your handiwork and envisage all the gorgeous meals you’ll be serving on your new table this summer!

Walls and trims painted in Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen in Resene Triple Sea Fog, weatherboards in Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen in Resene Grey Friars and deck stained in Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain in Resene Iroko.

How to stain your outdoor table

Another option for rejuvenating your outdoor table is to stain it. The wet winter weather wreaks havoc on outdoor furniture, so by spring, most pieces will need to be refreshed, rejuvenated and protected for summer months.

This table is stained with Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain in Resene Natural, which gives it a traditional finish. Using a speedbrush makes the job much faster – and remember, the more coats you apply the darker the stain will get.