7 Paint and Stain Home Projects to Refresh Exterior Surfaces

You’re ready for the warm weather and spending time outside, but is your patio? If the concrete is looking a little tired, cheer it up with a fresh coat of paint or stain before it becomes your alternate hang-out spot. Keep things simple by applying a clear coat, designed to enrich the natural surface color, choose a pre-tinted stain or opt for a tintable base to create your own color. If your concrete has seen better days, paint might be the better route. It’s best for covering discolorations and stains brought on by years of use and exposure to the elements. The dark gray painted pool deck featured here makes lounging poolside feel even more luxurious. Looking for something other than gray? Additional colors and tintable paint options are perfect for helping you create the best look for your space. If you’ve got the time, consider taking this upgrade one step further by stenciling a design on your patio to give it even more character.

A fresh coat of stain can transform your deck into something new — perfect for the season of outdoor living. If you prefer the woodgrain to show through, opt for a clear, transparent or semi-transparent stain to enhance your deck while keeping a natural-looking finish. Try a tinted stain, like the bright golden finish on the deck pictured, to really let your deck shine. Solid deck stain colors, like gray, lend a bolder look and are great if you want to change the deck’s entire appearance. You can choose one that matches certain elements of your house, like the trim, or opt for a complementary shade. Solid stains are also great for hiding minor flaws in the wood — but they completely cover woodgrain.

Once you’ve chosen your paint or stain, get started on this do-it-yourself (DIY) project with tips for cleaning and staining.

Whether it’s a new fence or one in need of a little TLC, exterior wood paint or stain can easily enhance the look of your fence. As with other wood surfaces around your home, you’ll need to decide whether you want to maintain the fence’s natural features or dramatically change its look. For stains, there’s a range of colors and opacities to choose from. Lowe’s exterior paint options are broad as well, so no matter which coating you go with, you have creative freedom to pick the best option to suit your preference and coordinate with the rest of your outdoor space. For a little something extra, accessorize your fence’s new look and add ambiance to your backyard by hanging string lights. Consider solar-powered lights so you don’t have to worry about being near an outlet.

Freshening up your front door in a new hue is an easy DIY project to revamp curb appeal. Use white exterior paint to bring a classic look to your entrance or choose a color that makes more of a statement. The bright and airy blue of the front door pictured stands out against the whites of the door frame and siding, offering a gorgeous greeting to visiting guests. Make your freshly painted front door more welcoming by adding new house numbers or outdoor wall lights, updating the door mat, or accenting the entry with potted plants.

Worn, tired-looking wooden outdoor furniture can be spruced up and ready for outdoor hangouts with a few brushstrokes of stain. Again, you’ll need to decide if you want to enhance the natural woodgrain with a clear or tinted transparent stain or give the piece a brand-new look with a solid stain. The warm tones of the pictured Adirondack chairs instantly invite you to take a seat around the stone fire pit. Wood pergolas sheltering your patio can be renewed with a fresh color, and you can give new interest — and functionality — to picnic tables with a coat or two of stain and these ideas.

Sometimes, a simple DIY project like painting your garage door can have a huge impact on the overall look of your home. So if you’re tired of your typical white garage door, give it a boost with a new paint color. If you’re having trouble deciding on the right hue, consider matching it to the color of the siding, trim or roofline. Or, choose a color that accents your home’s exterior. With a variety of paint colors available, you can easily give it the look you want. To further elevate its new appearance, decorative accents like magnetic hinge and handle sets can give your garage charming carriage-door style.

Though mostly utilitarian, your garage is essentially another room of your home. So don’t hesitate to give it an upgrade, too. One way to do that is to paint the floor. Coating it with garage-floor epoxy creates a more durable surface that protects against unsightly oil stains, helps cover any flaws and makes the space more attractive, whether it’s used as a workshop, a game room or just to park vehicles. Choose a paint or stain that’s a solid color or opt for one with decorative flecks for a different look.