Six summer painting projects

Try one of these vibrant DIY projects this summer. From wallpapering a feature wall, painting your outdoor furniture, to creating a cute mini outdoor table, embrace the sunshine season with a splash of colour!

These projects range from very simple to a little more labour intensive, so decide how much time and enthusiasm you have. The best thing about small projects is it’s very satisfying to get a project finished and once you finish the first one, you’ll find you can steadily work through the others until your ‘to do’ list is all done.

For outdoor painting jobs, try to avoid painting in the middle of the day when the sun is at its hottest. This is not just for your own health’s sake, but your paint’s. It will dry much quicker in the direct sunlight and start getting harder to apply.

The main feature

Looking for the perfect summer DIY activity? Look no further than a painted or wallpapered feature wall. Whether it’s your living room, dining area, or even your bathroom, a beautifully designed feature wall can transform any space into a sunny oasis. Discover the range of summer-inspired Resene colours and playful wallpapers at your local Resene ColorShop, from sunny floral motifs to breezy paint effects.

Nautical nous

Bring the spirit of the sea into a guest bedroom by trying an easy project for the summer. Nautical stripes are a timeless choice, evoking a sense of seaside serenity. Begin by selecting a soothing off-white colour for the walls such as Resene Sea Fog, then use painter’s tape to create crisp, evenly spaced stripes (if you’re particularly creative you could try hand-painting).

Create a fresh meets floral feature with Resene Wallpaper Collection 2109-154-04.

Wall painted in Resene Sea Fog with Resene Quarter Frozen (narrow stripes) and Resene Frozen (wide stripes), bedside table painted in Resene Kashmir Blue and floor in Resene Colorwood Natural.

Kitchen herbs

Transform old tin cans into an instant herb garden. Gather an assortment of tins, clean and sand them, then apply a coat of Resene ArmourX GP Metal Primer. Apply two coats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen or Resene Lustacryl in fresh, summery colours. Once dry, these cute painted pots will not only house your herbs, but also add a touch of greenery to your windowsill.

Outdoor seating

If your outdoor furniture is a bit tired, Resene paint is a quick and cost-effective way to refresh it. First check your outdoor seating, tables, BBQ bench, planters or shed for areas that might need repairs to make them safe to use. Remove flaking paint and treat moss and mould with Resene Moss & Mould Killer. Topcoat in your favourite Resene colour using Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss or Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen. For a more natural look, treat your furniture with Resene Moss & Mould Killer, clean with Resene Timber and Deck Wash, then apply Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain. If you prefer a barely there look, use Resene Furniture and Decking Oil which gives a lightly oiled look over timber.

Cans painted in Resene Double Resolution Blue, Resene Happy and Resene Morning Glory.

Table stained with Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain in Resene Natural.

Summer stool

Transform an old wooden stool into an eye-catching outdoor essential. Once your kids have grown out of it, give it a fun makeover and repurpose it into a cute garden table to hold your book, sunglasses and an ice-cold drink. Simply mask off the seat and ends of each leg – or be as creative as you like with your design – then paint the top of the stool. Once it’s dry, paint the leg ends and leave to dry, then repeat with another coat of paint. The world is your oyster when it comes to choosing your favourite summer-inspired Resene colours. Use Resene testpots for a multi-colour design or choose a favourite colour in Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss waterborne enamel for a smooth, easy-to-wipe clean finish.

If any wooden parts are looking worse for wear you can either paint over them or sand back to remove any existing coating then stain with Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain to restore the colour. For a whitewashed look use Resene Woodsman Whitewash on timber areas.

Fence appeal

A freshly painted fence adds the perfect finishing touch to your home right in time for summer. Opt for Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen – a durable paint that helps protect your home against UV exposure and harsh weather. Achieve a glossier finish with Resene Sonyx 101 or a matte look with Resene Lumbersider Matt. For a natural appearance, consider Resene Waterborne Woodsman stain, which lets the timber’s grain shine through. If you prefer a modern dark hue like Resene Ironsand or Resene All Black, choose Resene CoolColour to help keep the surface, paint and stain cooler.