Living in today’s world means that you: A) live in a small house that you’ve outgrown the minute you moved in B) spend way more money than you’d liked on kids after school clubs in an attempt to raise future Nobel prize winners (or at least an Olympic gymnast) C) have a garden that is not just small but also overlooked so much that could easily be spotted from the Moon. And probably that small, overlooked garden is often left behind, untouched and forgotten. Along with those horrible dirty garden slabs!
Because, let’s be honest, who has the money for all that? And that typical English weather doesn’t help either! (Damn it… I knew I should have moved to Spain)
So if your garden is paved or laid with horrible looking garden slabs and you are considering dropping a bomb (or spending your life’s savings) to get that Pinterest-perfect looking garden, then read on! If you’re all posh and rich, you can skip this post because it’s all about saving you money (and delivering that Pinterest-perfect look of course)! And here’s mine:
How it all started?
The idea of painting garden slabs came in a form of an accident. A tin of paint decided to fall and stay in that position long enough to make a massive paint puddle in my back garden last year (not that I had anything to do with it ; ) The paint dried and for another few months I heard “Told you not to leave the paint there” every time we opened the back door. But that stain actually gave me an idea (that obviously I did not share with Mr “I Told You So”). If an indoor paint can survive the winds, rain (lots of it) and four pairs of feet stumbling across on a daily basis, then what if that paint was for an outside use? And what if I painted all of the garden slabs???
As it happened I was painting the garden wall black last week (thanks to advice of my very forward-thinking friend, thanks friend!) I decided to go with the flow and paint all the slabs black! And after a quick rummage through my kid’s craft box (and not thinking twice) I added a jar of silver glitter to the paint (minus the jar)!
Painting the garden slabs
Painting the slabs in the garden is like painting your floors inside the house. Although this time I used a roller instead of a brush (otherwise I would be still painting it now). The whole process is quite straightforward, but you have to remember to at least sweep the slabs before you start to paint. It’s also best if you choose a day that isn’t very windy, or in fact, not windy at all (if you have that much luck). Well, I didn’t, and so ended up with occasional leaves sticking to my freshly painted slabs. Luckily the paint dries very fast and that did not ruin the whole look.
Now… the glitter. At first I wasn’t quite sure about it, but because I acted fast I didn’t allow myself much time to think. And it actually turned out to be as good as I hoped. The glitter in the paint catches the sun and gives a little sparkle effect almost like they were granite not concrete slabs. Sadly it is only visible in full sun and that’s when the camera doesn’t really like to cooperate with me nor with my plans (so you just have to trust me on that).
Can you spot the little dots? That's the glitter!
Other than that the effect is pretty impressive and I couldn’t be happier with how it all turned out. And it’s all for less than £20! I have to warn you though! If you’re planning to paint your garden slabs – prepare yourself for a backache the next day. But it is so worth it!
Want to try that idea in your garden? Here’s what you will need:
- black masonry paint (try this Sandtex masonry paint )
- water seal (I didn’t use it but highly recommend it, try this Thomson’s water seal)
- silver glitter (from your kid’s craft box or try this special paint glitter)
- paint roller (use the cheapest ones as they are much lighter and easier to use)
- paint brush (for corners and edges)
And that’s it! Just wait for some good weather (good luck with that) and you’re ready to paint!
TIP! You might want to protect your freshly painted garden slabs with a coat or two of water seal, it will protect it from the elements and it will extend the life of your new patio!
When your slabs are dry, just add some deck chairs and few plants to create a beautiful outside area for you to relax in. Or build yourself an outside pallet board sofa and a planter in just few hours! Click here to find out how!
So what do you think of my garden slabs makeover? Do you want to try that idea or have you tried it already? Let me know. I would love to know your thoughts on that. And if you want to see the rest of my budget garden makeover click here!
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Sonny
June 3, 2020Does the Thompson’s water seal go on before or after the paint?
Anonymous
June 3, 2020Hi, most of water sealers can be applied on top of paint. But always check manufacturer instructions before use.
Diane
May 15, 2019Ohhhhhh and how much glitter did you use, if you did it again would you use more?
I LOVE the idea of it being glittery, but nervous!! LOL!
Anonymous
May 15, 2019I would definitely add more this time. I would say at least couple of pots of kids glitter. You can also buy glitter for paint but it cost more and I cant see it being any different . Hope that helps ?
Diane
May 15, 2019Im a couple of years late to the party!
These look amazing! Im [u]definitely[/u] going to try this! Can I ask a few questions please?
How have the weathered? Have you had to touch up at all?
Does the paint ‘melt in the height of summer, assuming we have one, ie is it ok in summer to go out in bare feet or does the pain get ‘sticky’?
Do heavy items mark the paint ie patio chairs, big pots?
AND…as you chose black, does the patio get uber hot, as black absorbs the light?
Please answer me, id be VERY grateful, I want to try this NOW!!!
TIA x
Anonymous
May 15, 2019Hello, I’ll try to answer all your questions. So first of all, you have to think about it as any other type of patio flooring, it needs touching up before every summer. We haven’t done ours last year so this year they are not looking their best but I will just repaint them ? The paint does not melt in the sun and it doesn’t get sticky. You gave to be careful not to mark the paint but it isn’t too bad. And I don’t thing it gets any hotter than when it was not painted and with the amount of sun we get here that wouldn’t put me off doing it ? I will be repainting and then stenciling the slabs this year and then I will try to seal the paint so it is more durable. I will post everything on the blog as I go so please come back ?
Susan
March 8, 2018What a job! Would be interested to see how they weather and last. Looks cool!
JENNY KAKOUDAKIS
March 7, 2018Will you look at that! I bet the husband is not so ‘unhappy’ about the paint incident now! What a brilliant job, which looks easy enough to do (having said that no one likes bending down with a roller!) and which has transformed the look. Very modern, the furniture pop, the planters pop. Super!
Rosanna Alicia Design
March 7, 2018Hahaha I love everything in your first paragraph – couldn’t agree more!! This turned out brilliantly! I love DIYs that are minimal effort, maximal impact. Definitely going to tuck it away for when I have a patio of my own.. *wistfully stares into the middle distance* x
Stacey Sheppard
March 5, 2018Never in a million years would it have occurred to me to paint a patio. But it looks fantastic. Turned out great.
Fiona
March 5, 2018I’ never have thought of that. It’s a quick and fun makeover.
Mary| hellopeagreen
March 5, 2018Well thats a new one on me. I didn’t know you could paint garden slabs? The salty air where I live would probably have that off in no time. But I love the idea of painting them and it looks great in your photo’s
HIBS100 Home and Interiors Edit | HIBS100
June 28, 2017[…] to catch my eye was a post from Anne Marie of Very Me Interiors who’s just taken a radical step with her patio. After an accident with a paint pot showed her […]
Caroline
May 16, 2017It turned out great and I really think that the fences look fab too. I love how you’ve contrasted the black with the bright blue chairs too, I bet the glitter looks amazing sparkling in the sunshine (on the rare occasion that the sun comes out).
Anonymous
May 16, 2017Yes Caroline, on the very rare occasion here : ) I painted the fence couple of years ago and it could do with a quick lick of paint now. I’m pretty chuffed how it all turned out : )
Kamila
May 16, 2017Super! Ciekawy pomysł, z resztą jak wiele innych… tańsze niż nowa kostka brukowa ??
Anonymous
May 16, 2017No pewnie, bo ma byc ladnie ale tanio : )
Marta Hutt
May 15, 2017This is definitely an ‘out of the box’ thinking. The plants look great with the black backdrop.
Anonymous
May 15, 2017Thanks Marta! Yes, I’m loving it! It’s better than I hoped for.
Vicki
May 15, 2017Great idea, I would never have thought to do it! Looks fab.
Anonymous
May 15, 2017Thanks Vicki. It was a very impulsive idea so I wasn’t sure how it would turn out, but I love it, I really regret that I couldn’t show the glitter effect.