Summer painting and staining projects in a snap

There are always a few of those little things on any outdoors to-do list that our Columbia City, Indiana and Goshen, Indiana customers never quite seem to get done when they’re focused on bigger projects. Yet those little things make a big difference in your home’s appeal, so our Matthews Painting team picked out some of our favorite ideas for painting projects that most people can finish in just a few hours or a day. They’re fun and family-friendly, so plan ahead so that the kids can help with a few creative makeovers outside.

Raised garden beds

If you have raised beds in the garden – or you’d like to build some – all you’ll need are the blocks or boards. Once you have them, though, you may want to add a splash of color to your yard by painting the outside surfaces. A bright orange or a pop of purple adds to the color when your plants are in bloom, but they also create visual interest when those pretty blossoms have gone to green and brown. A quality exterior paint will do the job, and painting the beds or a matching trellis is a good use of leftover paint if you have some sunny yellow but there’s not enough for a bigger job. If you want to add an eco-friendly touch, try using milk paint or similar non-toxic products for your garden beds.

Backyard play equipment

When the sandbox looks a little weathered, a fresh coat of paint will perk that up and protect it from the elements. That’s just as true for the swing set, depending on what kind you have. A coat of paint, or the investment in a high-quality stain and seal for wood products, will keep the equipment looking as happy as the children or grandchildren who love it. Same goes for yards that feature playhouses or treehouses! Remember to prepare the surfaces well so that the new coat will hold up without chipping or peeling.

Porch swing and furniture

These long summer nights of watching fireflies from the porch are precious, but have you taken a look at the swing itself lately? If it’s been well-loved, it probably looks like it. The same is true for wood or even metal chairs on the porch and patio. Now’s the time to freshen up the colors you have, or change it up with some cool blues or a bold red that complements the trim. When it comes to outdoor furniture, there are many styles that lend themselves to an easy spray paint treatment, but you may still wish to consider using a brush – on the wide boards of an Adirondack chair, for example, or porch swings and rockers. It’s always important to make sure surfaces are sanded and sealed, but especially so when you’re working with metal. It’s worth taking the time to ensure that dirt and rust are removed before applying a good primer and the paint.

Ornamental pieces

Do you have a few favorite touches of home in the yard to show off your personality and preferences? A whimsical planting pot, a wishing well or small sculpture, birdbaths and houses to accent the yard bring joy to many families. You can make it a fun family “event” for little hands to help paint the stone frog or the doghouse too. Choose a spot away from the direct sun on a day with little wind, and make a few memories together. These small items are the grace notes of summer living, so don’t overlook them!

Porch, door and patio

If the porch furniture you’ve painted looks perfect but now the porch itself seems dreary, don’t hesitate to give Matthews Painting a call. We’re happy to take on the bigger tasks to keep your home looking good, and currently scheduling exterior painting for August 2017.

Matthews Painting is  now expanding our interior and exterior wall, ceiling, trim, door, window and kitchen cabinet painting and staining, wallpaper removal, drywall repair, deck staining and sealing and log Home staining and sealing into the Goshen, Indiana and Columbia City Indiana areas.