Painting your shed transforms your garden. And the paint will also make it last longer. The wood is protected by the paint or stain.
Painting your garden shed is one of the easiest and most budget-friendly ways to spruce up your outdoor space. With so many colors and techniques to choose from you can easily transform your tired old shed from drab to fab!
At our company, we know that your garden shed is an important part of your outdoor oasis. It provides storage, workspace and even an extra gathering area. That’s why we want to help you make the most of this space by sharing 12 fun and creative painting ideas for your garden shed.
Start By Prepping Your Shed for Painting
Before you can start painting, it’s important to properly prepare the shed surface. Here are a few key steps:
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Sand down any rough patches, peeling paint or splinters Use medium grit sandpaper and sand with the direction of the wood grain.
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Fill any cracks, holes or gaps with exterior wood filler Allow to dry completely
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Clean the entire shed with a mild detergent, then rinse. Let dry fully before painting.
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Lightly sand again with fine grit sandpaper to smooth the surface. Wipe away dust.
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Apply primer to any bare wood or new filler areas before painting. Use exterior primer.
Now you’re ready to explore these fresh paint ideas for your garden shed!
1. Match Your Home’s Exterior Colors
Tying your shed color scheme into your home’s exterior palette creates a pulled-together, cohesive look. Use the same trim or body color. You could also flip the colors for nice contrast. A complementary accent color on the shed makes it pop.
2. Pick a Soothing Sage Green
Green is a classic shed color that blends into outdoor settings seamlessly. For a modern twist, choose a tranquil sage green with gray undertones. It has a relaxing vibe and connects the shed to nature.
3. Go for Scandi-Inspired Neutrals
Give your shed a serene, minimalist look with neutral Scandinavian-inspired colors like white, light gray or subdued pink. Use natural wood and textures to complement the color scheme.
4. Make a Vibrant Color Statement
Paint your shed in a bold, saturated color like orange, turquoise or lime to create a focal point in your backyard. Vibrant hues add fun personality to your space.
5. Add Dimension with Two-Tone Paint
Go beyond plain with two-tone paint on your shed’s exterior and interior. Try light blue outside and pale pink inside. Use colors in the same family for cohesion.
6. Get Playful with Pastel Colors
Pastels like mint, peach and lavender automatically create a cheerful, playful look. Use multiple pastels inside and out for a unique design.
7. Make a Modern Statement with Bold Stripes
Painting your shed black and white stripes makes a modern impact. Try vertical or horizontal stripes. Paint the door a contrasting color for extra pop.
8. Embrace a Classic Dark Green
Traditional dark green is a timeless shed color that effortlessly blends into garden settings. Try gloss or matte finish paints to switch up the look.
9. Brighten Things Up with Sky Blue
Sky blue makes a happy, uplifting color for shed paint. It evokes feelings of beautiful blue skies overhead. Use it inside the shed too!
10. Go Retro with Pink and Gray
Give your shed a retro spin with a pink and gray color scheme. Use light pink walls and gray trim for a classic, fun combo.
11. Get Beach Cottage Style with Blue and White
Channel beach house vibes by painting your shed light blue walls and crisp white trim. Add accent colors on the windows and door.
12. Let Plantings Pop with a Black Shed
Painting your shed black allows the surrounding greenery to take center stage. The dark color makes plants pop while the shed recedes.
With the right prep work and paint choices, you can give your tired garden shed new life. Get creative with these fun color ideas and painting techniques. A fresh coat of paint lets your shed reflect your personality!
Extra Painting Tips for Your Shed
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For the best coverage, use high-quality exterior acrylic latex paint formulated for wood.
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Apply two coats of paint, allowing proper dry time between coats.
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Use a paint sprayer for faster application on large sheds. Rollers and brushes work for smaller sheds.
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Add extra protection with an exterior polyurethane sealer over paint.
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Maintain your painted shed by washing annually, spot painting as needed and applying fresh coats every 3-5 years.
With a little creativity and elbow grease, you can transform your faded garden shed into a beautiful focal point you’ll love spending time in. A colorful painted shed boosts curb appeal and adds personality to your backyard. Get ready to take your shed from drab to fab!
And I didn’t just paint my shed…
We now have so many different elements on our terrace. There’s the shed, plus a bin store, log store, brown back door, white side gate and green water butt.
We decided that it would be calmer to paint everything the same colour.
We even had the water butt painted. It was an old green plastic water butt. I researched online to find an attractive alternative.
The nice water butts were quite expensive, though. It was much cheaper simply to use the same paint we used for the shed. It may not last long – although it’s been eight months now with no sign of it wearing off, in spite of some hard rains.
Or if you’re thinking of building a shed yourself…
Here is an inspiring story of how to build a shed from scratch, from salvaged bricks, windows and boards. It’s helpful to know when you can learn to do something yourself – such as bricklaying – and when you really have to pay for an expert (laying the concrete base!).
There are also some good shed renovation ideas on Don’t Hide An Ugly Shed! Make it Beautiful.
How To Paint Your Garden Shed | Cuprinol Garden Ideas
FAQ
What is the best color to paint a garden shed?
Neutral tones: Opt for classic shed colors like white, beige, or gray for a timeless and versatile look. These neutral shades complement different architectural styles and blend seamlessly into any landscape. Earthy hues: Another option for a timeless shed color is to go for earthy tones such as brown or green.
What kind of paint do you use on a shed?
Both Sadolin Superdec Satin & Zinsser Allcoat Exterior are very popular exterior wood paints that offer an opaque coloured finish. While Sadolin Superdec is a dedicated wood paint for wooden surfaces like sheds, Zinsser Allcoat is a multi-purpose exterior paint that can be applied to almost any exterior surface.
Should you paint a shed with a roller or brush?
Comments Section I’d recommend spraying and “back rolling”. Spray a good coat of paint on, then work the paint in with a roller. This. Many professionals won’t use a sprayer for anything less than 5-10 gallons. Pro rigs can be a pain to clean and they take a quart of paint just to fill the hose.
Do you need to sand a shed before repainting?
Use a wood filler to fill any cracks, gaps or holes to make sure your shed can stand even the wettest of British summers. Make sure the filler is dry before you move on to the next step. If you’re painting an old shed, you’ll need to sand it to remove old and flaky paint.