With summer fast approaching, homeowners are being urged to give tired garden furniture a second chance before replacing it.

That’s the advice from exterior wood paint specialists Thorndown, who say a simple colour refresh can transform weather-worn benches, tables, chairs and planters into standout features for summer gardens.

Caroline Thornborough, Design Director of Thorndown, said: “With outdoor spaces set to become the heart of the home again, a fresh coat of paint is one of the quickest and most cost-effective ways to get gardens ready for relaxing, dining and entertaining.

“Painting tired garden furniture can instantly lift the whole space, making it feel brighter, more colourful and better cared for.”

Thorndown’s water-based wood paint has been formulated especially for outdoor projects, helping to protect wooden furniture against the weather while adding some stunning colour.

Even a 150ml sample pot can go a long way, making it ideal for smaller updates such as birdhouses, planters, decorative details or adding a contrasting colour to chair legs and table edges.

Caroline added: “Revamping garden furniture is a brilliant way to unleash your creativity. Gardens are already full of colour, texture and life, so it makes sense to take inspiration from nature’s palette and be a little braver with colour outdoors, creating pieces that become an integral part of your garden design.”

Caroline believes even novice DIYers can transform old wooden furniture and planters into statement pieces for the garden.

For those homeowners looking to get creative this summer, Caroline shares her top tips for successful garden furniture makeovers:

• Preparation is key when it comes to the perfect finish, so before you consider painting, sand off any rough patches or loose old coatings that will show or affect the finish.
• Wooden furniture may need preserving with a wood preserver. If your furniture is made with treated softwood, remove any surface residue from the pressure-treatment process.
• If your furniture is old, make sure the surface is thoroughly cleaned. Wash off any dirt with soapy water or use a pressure-washer to blast off persistent dirt or algae. Washing with a light bleach/water solution will also help to kill off algae.
• Don’t rush to start your paint job. Make sure your wood is dry otherwise coatings won’t fix properly to the timber, affecting the paint’s performance and longevity.
• To ensure the perfect finish, apply a knotting agent or stain-blocking primer to prevent possible tannin staining of the paint coating. However, if you’re a fan of all things natural, don’t worry about it and let nature take its course.
• If there is any rust on fixings treat the metal surfaces or use paint with flash rust inhibitor like Thorndown Wood Paint to stop rust from forming on non-galvanised metal or metal screws/nails other than stainless steel.
• And one last thing before you start applying your paint. Check the weather to make sure rain isn’t forecast for 24 hours. This will allow plenty of time for the paint to dry and bond properly.
• Apply your first coat of wood paint using a high-quality paint brush, roller or sprayer and leave to dry for one to two hours. If you’re leaving the paint to dry in the sunshine, it will dry much quicker. After you have applied a second coat, leave this to dry for at least 12 hours before using it and sitting on horizontal surfaces. While it might feel dry, the curing/fixing process takes a lot longer and the more time you give it, the better the finish.

Thorndown’s wood paint is available now, priced at £22 for 750ml.