Get your home ready for summer entertaining

If you love to entertain or you often end up with a cast of thousands staying over the holidays, now is the time to start thinking about refreshing your home’s social spaces, both inside and out, to get them ready for summer.

Plan of attack

Planning and getting these jobs done in spring means you’ll be able enjoy the silly season safe in the knowledge your place is ready for the influx of visitors. These updates are all easy and affordable – from simple tasks like cleaning and protecting outdoor areas, right through to painting and decorating your living zones and access points.

Deck mate

Spruce up your deck for summer soirées by giving it a fresh coat of paint. Paint is ideal for hiding imperfections in the timber, will last longer than stain and you have a choice of finishes including Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen or Resene Walk-on flooring and paving paint or Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path for a non-slip option. Once you’ve selected your paint, it’s time to choose colour – if you’re going dark, getting the Resene CoolColour formula is recommended.

Remove the green stuff with Resene Moss & Mould Killer, then wash bare or stained timber with Resene Timber and Deck Wash. Once dry, sand the deck then wipe away the sanding dust. If your deck is uncoated timber, prime it with Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat. If your deck has been previously stained, use Resene Wood Primer before applying paint. Fill any holes then apply two coats of your chosen paint, leaving to dry between coats.

If your deck is already painted then swap the Resene Timber and Deck Wash for Resene Paint Prep and Housewash for the cleaning. Take photos of your deck into your local Resene ColorShop and they can help you with any prep and priming advice, or Ask a Resene Paint Expert online.

Top tip: You can add Resene Anti-Slip Grip Additive to Resene Walk-on or Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen to give a non-slip surface. This is especially handy around pool areas or anywhere that is exposed to rain or water.

Prep, prime and paint your deck for an instant update to your exterior space. Deck painted in Resene Walk-on in Resene Green White.

A freshly-painted deck is sure to impress your guests! Deck painted in Resene Walk-on in Resene Green White, weatherboards and balustrade in Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen in Resene Green White and rail in Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen in Resene Permanent Green.

Pave the way

The benefits of refreshing your old garden pavers with Resene paint is twofold: Not only will they elevate the look of the lawn and appear good as new, they’ll no longer be a hazard. Garden pavers look smart but are very slippery when wet, which can be dangerous, especially if you have kids running around.

Resene Non-Skid Deck and Path is the topcoat saviour here, as it provides much-needed texture and grip to the pavers. This is a very simple job that can be done over a weekend. All it takes is a thorough clean with Resene Moss & Mould Killer, then two coats of Resene Non-Skid Deck and Path. Resene Off Piste is a great colour choice if you’re keen to keep the pavers looking like natural concrete, or you can choose from a range of other colours to suit your home’s style.

Another brick in the wall

Many properties in our part of the world have brick walls and features, which provide a charming, traditional feel to your outdoor living areas – but they can start to look very weathered thanks to a build-up of moss and mould. The good news is you can not only remove this (incredibly satisfying on its own) but also prevent it from happening again.

All you’ll need is a few key items from your local Resene ColorShop, the key one being Resene Aquapel waterborne water repellent. The beauty of this product is that it is clear, so allows the richness of the original brickwork shine through while providing a tough, resistant coating that provides long-term protection. When you apply it according to the instructions, water will bead and run off the Resene Aquapel finished surface, reducing water ingress and resisting dampness. As a result, moss and mould are less likely to take hold in the future and your outdoor area will look fresh and clean. Consider it a gift to your future self to enjoy while sipping a cold drink with friends!

Pavers painted in Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path in Resene Off Piste.

This brick wall was looking mouldy and rather worse for wear after years in the elements. Thanks to a treatment of Resene Moss & Mould Killer and a coating of Resene Aquapel, it’s ready to face the weather for years to come.

Live the dream

Not much will smarten up a room more than a fresh coat of paint, and by painting your lounge, you’ll create a refreshed space to enjoy with friends and family. Deciding on a colour scheme does, of course, come down to personal preference, but choosing the right hue will make the space a pleasure to be in and significantly elevate the social hub of your home.

Sticking to a neutral tone is a great idea, as living areas are often busy rooms filled with lots of items. Neutrals are calming but can still have great depth, and Resene has a huge array of neutrals that come in varying strengths, so you can opt for creamy or cool, depending on how sunny your room is and what direction it faces. Neutral colours can also significantly open up a space and make it look bigger. In terms of formulation, the hard-wearing Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen is a great choice for high-traffic areas.

If you want a little more personality in your lounge, then choosing a coloured finish can help to set the mood – think weathered blues like Resene Dusted Blue for a casual, relaxing lounge or deep grey like Resene Foundry for a more dramatic feel.

French class

Summer entertaining often means regularly transitioning from indoors to out – passing drinks, serving platters of food and dining al fresco. If your French doors are starting to look a bit worse for wear, you’ll be amazed at the difference a simple repaint can make and how significantly it improves the look of your home. External timber doors experience lots of wear and tear, so keeping on top of maintenance means they’ll look good for years to come.

Treat doors with Resene Moss & Mould Killer then wash them down with Resene Paint Prep and Housewash. Scrape off any loose, flaking paint, fill holes and sand smooth, then wipe away sanding dust. Prime with Resene Quick Dry, then apply two coats of Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss waterborne enamel or Resene Enamacryl gloss waterborne enamel in your favourite Resene colour.

Walls painted in Resene X-200 in Resene Alabaster and Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen in Resene Double Sea Fog mixed with Resene FX Paint Effects Medium and fireplace and skirting in Resene Lustacryl in Resene Alabaster mixed with Resene Sea Fog.

French doors and trims painted in Resene Lustacryl in Resene White, walls in Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen in Resene Half Fossil and kitchen cabinetry in Resene Lustacryl in Resene Flintstone.

Top tips from award-winning interior designer Isis Winter:

Start with a clean slate – literally. Summer entertaining begins with a refresh. Sweep the deck, wash down outdoor furniture, and consider restaining timber if it’s looking tired.
Summer entertaining is all about ease, function and flow between indoors and out. Create distinct zones: a spot for lounging, a spot for dining and a space for cooking or serving. Use moveable furniture, layered textiles (yes, even outdoors) and lighting that softens as the evening rolls on – think outdoor heaters, fairy lights or oversized candles in hurricane vases. A blanket box is also a great addition outdoors, as it’s perfect for storing throws, cushions or even citronella candles when not in use. You paint your box in the same finish as your home so it blends in or make it a feature with a contrasting Resene colour.
Indoors, edit your space like you would your wardrobe at the start of a new season. Pack away anything heavy or dark and bring in lighter textures and tones such as linens, cottons and natural fibres in soft, summery hues. I love to add a bowl of seasonal fruit and a big vase of greenery at this time of year.
Whatever your style, the goal is simple: to create a space where people feel relaxed the moment they walk in. Music on, doors open, drink in hand – that’s the ticket!