The Times Australia
Google AI
The Times House and garden

.

Refresh your outdoor space for summer entertaining

  • Written by The Times

Outdoor spaces become a focal point of home entertainment as the weather warms up, with barbecues, afternoon drinks with friends, pool parties and even festive catchups starting to fill our social calendars.

But has your outdoor space been a little neglected over the colder months? Could it use a spruce up for summer?

Giving your outdoor area some TLC is a great weekend DIY activity – and now’s the perfect time to tackle it.

Haymes Paint’s Group Merchandise and Product Manager, Andrew Brewer, has five expert tips for elevating an outdoor space using colour, furniture, and décor. 

First things first 

The perfect way to refresh an outdoor space is with a new coat of paint with Haymes Paint’s Exterior Solashield. But a common mistake many people make is rushing into painting without the proper preparation. Preparation is essential to ensure the best outcome and longevity of the final result. Whether you’re painting or varnishing a wooden surface, it will first need to be thoroughly cleaned and primed to protect it against the harsh summer sun.

Show your true colours 

Haymes Paint’s cool-toned Greyology 1 is the perfect base white to give your entertaining area a crisp, new feel. It works particularly well if your space is surrounded by lush, green foliage as it balances the vibrancy of the colour.  

Consider adding a pop of colour to create that warm summer vibe. Haymes Paint Salmon Pink and Ra Gold are perfect for achieving this look.

Raise the bar with texture

Adding texture to your outdoor area brings a touch of sophistication and can create a tropical resort feel. Haymes Paint Rendertex range will help your space stand out from others, adding depth to an outdoor feature wall or painted surface – and wowing your guests in the process.

Don’t forget the deck

Now that your colours and textures are sorted, it’s time to look at your deck. Revitalising your deck with a coat of Haymes Paint Dexpress is sure to impress. It’s Haymes Paint’s most popular decking product for good reason: it is available in a variety of colours to bring your outdoor area to life with a rich, polished finish.

The finishing touches

No outdoor entertainment area is complete without décor. The trick is to extend your indoor style to outdoors. The furniture you select should be consistent with what you have indoors, so the outdoor space feels like an extension of your home. This also works to make it feel lived-in and comfortable, rather than something that’s separate to the rest of the house.

Comfort is important. To soften the space and make your guests feel at home, add some outdoor couches and cushions. You could also paint some furniture or pots in fun colours to bring the space to life and tie it in with the surrounding garden. While it’s important to remain consistent with furniture choices, you can also be a little more playful with the outdoor pieces you choose.

Enlivening your entertainment space doesn’t have to be a chore. It can be achieved in just a weekend with these clever but simple tips.
 
Work with what you already have and give it new lease on life by adding colour, texture and fun décor.




Times Magazine

Shark launches SteamSpot - the shortcut for everyday floor mess

Shark introduces the Shark SteamSpot Steam Mop, a lightweight steam mop designed to make everyda...

Game Together, Stay Together: Logitech G Reveals Gaming Couples Enjoy Higher Relationship Satisfaction

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, many lovebirds across Australia are planning for the m...

AI threatens to eat business software – and it could change the way we work

In recent weeks, a range of large “software-as-a-service” companies, including Salesforce[1], Se...

Worried AI means you won’t get a job when you graduate? Here’s what the research says

The head of the International Monetary Fund, Kristalina Georgieva, has warned[1] young people ...

How Managed IT Support Improves Security, Uptime, And Productivity

Managed IT support is a comprehensive, subscription model approach to running and protecting your ...

AI is failing ‘Humanity’s Last Exam’. So what does that mean for machine intelligence?

How do you translate ancient Palmyrene script from a Roman tombstone? How many paired tendons ...

The Times Features

5 Cool Ways to Transform Your Interior in 2026

We are at the end of the great Australian summer, and this is the perfect time to start thinking a...

What First-Time Buyers Must Know About Mortgages and Home Ownership

The reality is, owning a home isn’t for everyone. It’s a personal lifestyle decision rather than a...

SHOP 2026’s HOTTEST HOME TRENDS AT LOW PRICES WITH KMART’S FEBRUARY LIVING COLLECTION

Kmart’s fresh new February Living range brings affordable style to every room, showcasing an  insp...

Holafly report finds top global destinations for remote and hybrid workers

Data collected by Holafly found that 8 in 10 professionals plan to travel internationally in 202...

Will Ozempic-style patches help me lose weight? Two experts explain

Could a simple patch, inspired by the weight-loss drug Ozempic[1], really help you shed excess k...

Parks Victoria launches major statewide recruitment drive

The search is on for Victoria's next generation of rangers, with outdoor enthusiasts encouraged ...

Labour crunch to deepen in 2026 as regional skills crisis escalates

A leading talent acquisition expert is warning Australian businesses are facing an unprecedented r...

Technical SEO Fundamentals Every Small Business Website Must Fix in 2026

Technical SEO Fundamentals often sound intimidating to small business owners. Many Melbourne busin...

Most Older Australians Want to Stay in Their Homes Despite Pressure to Downsize

Retirees need credible alternatives to downsizing that respect their preferences The national con...