Best colour for a Summer House

[notanicepersonapparently]

I've been looking at Cuprinol garden shades paint chart because I want to paint our Summer house. The more I look the more indecisive I've become! It's currently just stained dark brown which has faded a lot. I'm after a New England vibe I think with the window frame and door painted a lighter shade. The garden is very traditional cottage garden style.
Anyone got any recommendations of colours that have worked well for them?

My best tip is to think very carefully about the paint you decide to use. Painting them is a PITA, so you want it to last as long as possible.

Ive found “standard” paints like Cuprinol and Ronseal not great for outdoor stuff. After a year or two in rain/wind/sun etc they tend to flake and fade. I now prefer to spend a bit more money on decent stuff that lasts longer and gives better weather protection.

I’ve used Sikkens on my summer house. They have various options - I used a stain first and then a topcoat that gives great UV protection. Their range is more “wood” shades, so might not be what you’re looking for, but it’s good stuff. Photo attached - this was last done four years ago (I’ve done it twice in 9 years).

If you’re wanting colour, I’d highly recommend Little Greene Paint Co - they’ve got 100’s of colours to choose from. And, if there’s a colour elsewhere that you really like, they can make it for you as long as you can find out the RAL code for that colour (you have to phone them for this, they don’t offer that service online). You’d need to do an undercoat with their ASP (All Surface Primer) paint - this comes in the same range of colours. And for the top coat use their Tom’s Oil paint - it’s blooming brilliant, Bomb-proof stuff.

For the style you’re thinking of, I’d go for a crisp white interior - you can then create colour with your accessories - blue/white striped cushions,

Stupid MN was being glitchy, so I quickly hit “post” before I lost what I’d typed!

So, crisp white interior with accent colours provided by accessories. Blue/white striped cushions, blue in a rug, some throws etc. Driftwood ornaments, some seashells. You could, if you wanted, switch it up for winter with warmer shades - red-checked cushions etc - as you’d then get two different rooms throughout the year.

For the outside, maybe a pale cream with the frames/door in a lovely shade of blue? That way, it would blend in more naturally with your cottage garden.

As I said, this is mine using the Sikkens range of treatment.

Good luck - please post a photo of the finished product!

Just done mine with Osmo oil which is expensive but supposed to be the best (apply two thin coats). I went for a transparent oil that keeps it natural. You can get colours too. I was thinking of doing it grey next time but apparently the wood won't take the pigment in the oil if I try to repaint.

I think grey looks good. Black contrasts very well with greenery but it's quite a brave choice because it sounds like the last colour you would choose but the ones I have seen look really good.

My shed/workshop is painted in the Cuprinol Muted Clay it's inoffensive and looks great against coloured pots and decor.

We did ours in Cuprinol Willow and Country Cream.

Thanks everyone. Some great advice.