Upcycling Garden Ideas To Save Money

Turn Old Into Bold: Easy Garden Ideas That Start With a Pot of Paint

Got tired garden furniture begging for attention? With garden furniture paint, you can bring it back to life in a few hours. There’s no need to replace what still works – just clean it up, pick a colour, and give it a fresh start. Whether it’s fencing, decking, pergolas or paving, almost every surface in your garden can be upcycled with paint, stain, or oil.

Wooden benches, loungers, and dining sets respond brilliantly to a deep clean and light sanding. Once dry, a coloured finish brings the whole piece back to life. If you’re going for a relaxed, soft look, chalk paints are ideal. They give a gentle, low-sheen finish that flatters older wood and highlights brushwork and grain, adding character without overpowering it.

Painted tyres in red, yellow, blue, and green used as colourful planters in a garden bed.

Old tyres get a second life with bright paint and fresh plants – perfect for adding playful colour to your garden.

Paths, steps, and paving slabs are often just dirty – not damaged. A stiff brush and a power wash work wonders. You can then use stains or paints and sealers to restore the look of exterior floors and protect the surface, resisting weather damage. Painting or staining paths and block paving can help tie areas together with subtle colour choices, and is much cheaper (and kinder on your back!) than replacing with fresh stones.

Fences shouldn’t just fade into the background. A deep green or smoky blue can anchor the space. Or go bold with anthracite grey for drama. Specialist fence paints are formulated to soak in, resist cracking, and hold colour through harsh seasons – perfect for turning boundary lines into standout features.

Blue painted tin cans filled with herbs mounted on a purple pallet against a rustic stone wal

Transform tin cans and old wooden pallets into a thriving herb wall – ideal for small gardens and patios!

If you’ve got timber decking that still feels solid underfoot, don’t rip it out. Just give it a clean and coat with decking paint that offers grip, UV protection, and colour options to either blend or contrast with the rest of the garden. Choose warmer tones to complement planters, or cooler greys to highlight furniture.

Sheds, pergolas, and summerhouses are a great canvas for colour. Go for subtle shades on the body, and something bolder on trims, doors or shutters. Accessories like ladder shelves, pallet planters or crate displays can all be brought into the scheme using leftover paint, making use of every drop.

Steps to Upcycle Old Garden Furniture

Check it: Make sure it’s sound, dry, and free from rot.
Clean it: Wash off dirt and algae with warm soapy water or a degreaser.
Sand it: Remove loose flakes and smooth the surface.
Prime if needed: Bare timber or metal may need a primer for better adhesion.
Paint or stain: Apply a suitable outdoor finish, such as Rust-Oleum’s Make It Yours range, and allow to dry fully between coats.
Seal it: If needed, apply a topcoat to protect the finish.
Style it: Add accessories like cushions or planters to complete the look.

Person using a brush to apply oil to slatted wooden garden furniture on a sunny day.

Breathe new life into weathered timber with wood oils that nourish and protect – ideal for garden tables, benches, and chairs.

It doesn’t take much to make something old feel new. A bit of time, the right prep, and products designed for outdoor surfaces – each chosen for a specific job – can transform your space. With paints and finishes for every surface, from timber to concrete and plastic, there’s no need to throw anything out. Just repaint it, restyle it, and reuse it.

Need help choosing the right paint or finish for your project? Leave a comment below and Rawlins’ Technical Experts will be happy to help.