Decorate Your Patio

If your patio is looking a little dull liven it up with the addition of some pots of flowers and plants painted in shades to match your patio furniture and cushions.

You can take ordinary cheap terracotta pots and gave them a coat of paint without too much trouble.

To save you the expense of buying large pots of paint in a number of colors use tester pots from the paint store. Eventually the paint will wear off and have to be redone but it's a great temporary solution - say you just need to liven up your patio for a party in a couple of days time.

If however you want a lasting effect then you will have to use special water-based acrylic paint which will prevent the surface peeling or fading.

• Always start with clean, dry (and preferably new) terracotta pots for best results.
• Give the terracotta two coats of paint
• Seal the paint with clear varnish
• If possible, paint the inside too and seal it with varnish or just seal it with varnish to prevent moisture seeping through and causing the paint on the outside to flake and peel

(Image of beautiful blue pots by seg101 at sxc.hu)