Home decorating trends come and go, but one thing is certain: Americans have rediscovered the potential of outdoor spaces. Last year alone, homeowners spent nearly $5 billion on outdoor furniture and accessories, sparing no expense to bring the indoors out and create high-end outdoor living spaces.
Don't have the money to invest in new outdoor furniture or high-end accessories? It's easy to transform your backyard into a luxury outdoor environment on a "real-world" budget. All it takes is a little imagination and a few cans of spray paint. Here are some outdoor decorating ideas from the experts at Rust-Oleum:
• Give your patio table and chairs a designer look. Designer patio sets can cost thousands of dollars. But with spray paints such as Rust-Oleum's new MultiColor Textured, it's easy to give your old patio set a rich contemporary look that's virtually indistinguishable from pricier counterparts. Choose a rich multihued finish such as Autumn Brown, Aged Iron, Desert Bisque or Deep Forest. Or try one of today's trendiest colors, such as Espresso from Rust-Oleum's American Accents collection, to transform an ordinary patio table into café classico.
• Transform ordinary planters into sophisticated garden accents. Flowering plants in stylish planters can add color and interest to any outdoor space. And it's easy to spray new life into old planters-or give inexpensive planters a touch of sophistication-with paint. The possibilities are endless. Spray paint an old metal planter with paint such as Rust-Oleum's Stops Rust Dark Brown Metallic for a sophisticated upscale look. Transform an inexpensive plastic planter with Stone or Terra Cotta spray paint from the American Accents collection. It will look just like its expensive counterpart. Or spray paint a simple planter with a hot new hue, such as Painter's Touch Mango or Aqua, to add a splash of color to your outdoor space.
• Give your barbecue grill a face-lift. Who said barbecue grills have to be black? Now, thanks to innovations such as Rust-Oleum's High Heat Ultra spray paint, your old weathered grill can wear one of today's hottest colors-such as Brown or Aged Copper.
• Accent, accent, accent! Accent pieces make a house a home, so why not accent outdoor spaces, too? Turn an ordinary metal trellis into outdoor wall décor with American Accents Honey spray paint-or a simple wooden garden stand into a terra cotta latticework obelisk with American Accents Terra Cotta. And don't forget about simple lanterns or table accents painted in vibrant colors or nature's hues to add drama or tranquility to your outdoor space. The possibilities are only limited by your imagination.
By: Stacey Moore