What color should I paint my garden bench?

Laura
by Laura
I'm stuck on what color to paint my garden bench. I think I want to paint the trim on the window above it and the small table beside it too.
I want a bright color to really make them pop. Should I make them all the same color? Or use something different on each piece?
I'm really not sure why I'm having such a hard time choosing - usually this sort of decision comes easy for me!
  81 answers
  • Kimberly Noelle Kimberly Noelle on Jun 16, 2015
    I think a yellow or red would be really pretty.
  • Goldens Goldens on Jun 16, 2015
    RED!!!!
  • SusieJen SusieJen on Jun 16, 2015
    I agree, a sunny yellow would look adorable!
  • Dianna Dianna on Jun 16, 2015
    A bright blue.
  • Hannah V Hannah V on Jun 16, 2015
    A pretty coastal mint blue would add a nice fresh touch :)
  • Donna Donna on Jun 16, 2015
    mint or turquoise
  • Lauren Gardner Lauren Gardner on Jun 16, 2015
    Pale green
  • Love Digging in the Dirt Love Digging in the Dirt on Jun 16, 2015
    If it were me, I would paint it PINK! My favorite color. But any pop of color would look fabulous!
  • Laura Laura on Jun 16, 2015
    Ha! The above list of comments when read, pretty much sounds like the exact commentary that has been playing in my head for the last week!
  • I would stick t painting the bench, table and other pots and stuff. I would not paint the shed because it is too rustic and cool as it is. Do not forget about purple. I would go buy 3-5 colors of spray paint and have some fun. I would paint that square pot by door to and put it in front of the birdbath with some wave petunias, lantana, or verbena. Have fun!
  • Barbara Valenti Barbara Valenti on Jun 17, 2015
    I would pick a rainbow of colors! Or even pick 2or3 and make things quirky, to say. That way you can have fun with many colors. It can be a special place where you can go and enjoy a cool drink or snack. Have a great time and let us know how it turns out. I am excited to see!🌈
  • Edward Edward on Jun 17, 2015
    Fire engine red!
  • Barb Witherspoon Barb Witherspoon on Jun 17, 2015
    You have yellow flowers growing beside the bench, so I think yellow would go great with them.
  • Rachel Rachel on Jun 17, 2015
    bright yellow or purple
  • Frances lawrence Frances lawrence on Jun 17, 2015
    What color did you choose? All the colors sound nice. I would pick a shade of blue. Goes well with the shed and yellow flowers.
  • Debbie Williams Debbie Williams on Jun 17, 2015
    oh so many chooses, any bright color would do it like orange anda light blue and paint the ladder, and some of the other things
  • Debbe Debbe on Jun 17, 2015
    Red was my first thought when I was reading this! Let us all know what you choose please ?
  • BJ BJ on Jun 17, 2015
    I'd go with red or turquoise
  • Debs Debs on Jun 17, 2015
    I vote "Red" and like the others I would love to see pics when your done please.... I would not paint the shed either, just the bench and pots..
  • Kathy Friston Collier Kathy Friston Collier on Jun 17, 2015
    I say a rich Coral color.
  • Jennifer Jennifer on Jun 17, 2015
    I say paint the bench a bright blue, the window frame a light blue and the table lime green.
  • Tammie Gilstrap Herring Tammie Gilstrap Herring on Jun 17, 2015
    Lemon chiffon.... it's a bright pale yellow
  • Tammie Gilstrap Herring Tammie Gilstrap Herring on Jun 17, 2015
    I ed going to say lavender to compliment the yellow flowers, but that might not pop enough for you. .. red is just the go- to color with this sort of scape. I think it's overdone, unless it's just perfect for you. Given that you are struggling, sounds like you might like a little out-of-the-box look
  • Holly Holly on Jun 17, 2015
    Red!!!!
  • Richardpearce Richardpearce on Jun 17, 2015
    POWDER BLUE
  • Change of Art Change of Art on Jun 17, 2015
    Love Jennifer's idea of a bright blue – here's a quick rendering of what it might look like.
    • See 4 previous
    • Frances lawrence Frances lawrence on Jun 18, 2015
      Well, I think it's a great idea!
  • Derenda Derenda on Jun 17, 2015
    Well, I'm old (not THAT old) but the first thing I would do is make sure the roof of that gorgeous shed is secure. Then I would paint the bench white (no groans, please.) Brighten the area by painting the pots, tables, etc a bright turquoise. Some I would possibly paint yellow (and I don't even like yellow) or red. It would be a bright, cheerful little area. I don't think I would paint any of the trim on the building as it's so lovely and rustic. I would love to know what colors you choose!
    • Laura Laura on Jun 17, 2015
      I have thought about fixing the roof, but unfortunately I don't own the building. We live right on Main Street in the middle of town in an old hotel (we are renovating into a house) so we really dont have a yard. The building is in my ally and belongs to the equipment service/dealer you can see off in the distance behind it. (They are kiddy corner across the ally from us.) I asked them a few years ago if i could plant around it, they loved the idea and don't really care what i do to it. The picture is the view from my back yard. When I asked them about fixing the roof, they (a couple of old guys own it) laughed at me and said it wasn't worth it. My husband and another guy with a business next to us are talking it over on what they can do. Keep your fingers crossed - I love that old building and will cry a river if it falls!
  • Patty S Patty S on Jun 17, 2015
    Paine the bench Chartreuse and paint nothing else.
  • Janet Janet on Jun 17, 2015
    Red!
  • Marie Marie on Jun 17, 2015
    Check out rustoleum Lagoon or Watermelon great colors that really pop
  • Pam Pam on Jun 17, 2015
    Bright red or blue
  • Mildred Owens Mildred Owens on Jun 17, 2015
    i like the white
  • Smu1485110 Smu1485110 on Jun 17, 2015
    Turquoise!
  • Laura Laura on Jun 17, 2015
    I have thought about fixing the roof, but unfortunately I don't own the building. We live right on Main Street in the middle of town in an old hotel (we are renovating into a house) so we really dont have a yard. The building is in my ally and belongs to the equipment service/dealer you can see off in the distance behind it. (They are kiddy corner across the ally from us.) I asked them a few years ago if i could plant around it, they loved the idea and don't really care what i do to it. The picture is the view from my back yard. When I asked them about fixing the roof, they (a couple of old guys own it) laughed at me and said it wasn't worth it. My husband and another guy with a business next to us are talking it over on what they can do. Keep your fingers crossed - I love that old building and will cry a river if it falls!
  • Candace Warren Candace Warren on Jun 17, 2015
    I like a bright cheery yellow! And, I see you have some yellow flowers, so that might really pick those up.
  • Laura Laura on Jun 17, 2015
    For those that have said not to paint the window frame, I really do like the idea of bringing some color up to eye level. (The ladder was an attempt to add visual interest a bit higher. I could hang a bright piece of metal art on the wall above the birdbath instead. I have a couple that I made a few years ago for a different project that would probably be the right size.
  • Lana Lana on Jun 17, 2015
    I agree yellow
  • Diane Nuckolls Diane Nuckolls on Jun 17, 2015
    yellow or lime green would look great go bold and paint fushia or bright blue
  • Dark Red or Burnt Orange. It would bring out the colors in the roof.
  • LInda Pemberton LInda Pemberton on Jun 17, 2015
    I love that old shed. I'd check into buying it and fixing it up a little. What's inside? It'd make a great potting shed! An old white window with frame would look great on the side as well.
  • Maggie Hugie Maggie Hugie on Jun 17, 2015
    I thought the same thing Crystal, a rusty red/burnt orange would look organic next to that weathered wall http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/productImages/400/ee/ee861611-78e4-4614-9c7f-3954c30757a0_400.jpg
  • Rs-kim Rs-kim on Jun 17, 2015
    Any bright colors would work. I love the look of bright blue, lime green and hot pink. Fill the space with beautiful pink flowers!
  • Eileen B. Eileen B. on Jun 17, 2015
    Purple and put a couple of pots of pansies beside it.
  • Shari Veater Shari Veater on Jun 17, 2015
    Turquoise or bright red!
  • Mary Testin Mary Testin on Jun 17, 2015
    How about coral pink?
  • Tris Smith Tris Smith on Jun 17, 2015
    I suggest cherry red for the window, colonial blue for the bench and antique white for the table. Coordinating your flowers and adding yellow flowers too. Add a couple of outdoor pillows on the bench. Could add some color to the pottery by stencil or speckling some color on a couple.
  • Linda Tatom Peterson Linda Tatom Peterson on Jun 17, 2015
    Red and black
  • G G on Jun 17, 2015
    Bright yellow.
  • Monica manning Monica manning on Jun 17, 2015
    YELLOW OR TURQUOISE
  • Warefh albogh Warefh albogh on Jun 17, 2015
    Green dark
  • Junebugtx Junebugtx on Jun 17, 2015
    Bright red and yellow should look really great with the weathered wood. Good luck!
  • Cherie Cherie on Jun 17, 2015
    Turquoise!
  • Jim L Jim L on Jun 17, 2015
    Try a "nautical" blue...like the building in the background. It works very well with the gray of the barn.
  • Jan Jan on Jun 17, 2015
    whit
  • Jan Jan on Jun 17, 2015
    white wash window, and bench red
  • Nancy Anderson Nancy Anderson on Jun 17, 2015
    Red and Yellow with just a bit of sanding to show a weathered look!!!
  • Jocelyne Tremblay Jocelyne Tremblay on Jun 17, 2015
    Your shingle roof is inspiring me to say: I'd love your bench to be terra cotta with arm rest and legs in a charcoal grey color. Very chic. Whatever you choose show us what your heart decided. Beautiful serene garden shed by the way
  • M. j. vergot M. j. vergot on Jun 17, 2015
    paint it cyan
  • Alice Alice on Jun 17, 2015
    Barn yard red
  • Arcie Arcie on Jun 17, 2015
    Any shade of blue would look great next to that barn.
  • Debbie Day McGilvray Debbie Day McGilvray on Jun 17, 2015
    Red is overused- go with blue- a bright blue for both
  • Carol Lucas Carol Lucas on Jun 17, 2015
    I love a nice cedar color with baby blue arms and legs
  • Joanna Smith Joanna Smith on Jun 18, 2015
    RED! Brings life and joy to all who see it
  • Dave kilzer Dave kilzer on Jun 18, 2015
    I think lavender would look marvelous.
  • Lynda Dexter Lynda Dexter on Jun 18, 2015
    Blue with little hints of bright yellow for a pop of contrast.
  • Laura Laura on Jun 18, 2015
    Wow! Thank you to all. I never expected this many responses! This has given me a ton to think about and I really appreciate it. After reading every last comment and considering every idea, I think my biggest take away is that it isn't going to matter what color(s) I ultimately choose, it's probably going to look pretty good! I hadn't considered painting the pots or ladder before, so those are new ideas from this I am kicking around now too. The colors I seem to be most drawn to are yellow (my favorite color), turquoise (or another fresh and bright blue), and sunset orange. Decisions, decisions... :-)
  • Rhonda Rhonda on Jun 18, 2015
    Barn Red....
  • Shelby Harvey Shelby Harvey on Jun 19, 2015
    Bright Yellow will look great!
  • Eli mackewich Eli mackewich on Jun 19, 2015
    FIRST SPEND YOUR MONEY ON THE ROOF REPAIR. YOUR BUILDING HAS A VERY LIMITED LIFE IF YOU DON'T GET IT CLOSED OFF SOON.
    • Laura Laura on Jun 19, 2015
      I have thought about fixing the roof, but unfortunately I don't own the building. We live right on Main Street in the middle of town in an old hotel (we are renovating into a house) so we really don't have a yard. The building is in my ally and belongs to the equipment service/dealer you can see off in the distance behind it. (They are kiddy corner across the ally from us.) I asked them a few years ago if I could plant around it, they loved the idea and don't really care what I do to it. The picture is the view from my back yard. When I asked them about fixing the roof, they (a couple of old guys own it) laughed at me and said it wasn't worth it. My husband and another guy with a business next to us are talking it over on what they can do. Keep your fingers crossed - I love that old building and will cry a river if it falls!
  • Maggie Hugie Maggie Hugie on Jun 19, 2015
    Sunset orange would be a fine choice.
    • Laura Laura on Jun 20, 2015
      Beautiful - I love that color! Is that in your yard?
  • Dave kilzer Dave kilzer on Jun 26, 2015
    Terracotta color , or a drift wood coloring would be nice.
  • John John on Jun 29, 2015
    Something that will blend in like a light gray or a soft color, even a blue. I'd try to buy the building and then fix the roof and use it for storage. Looks like a great building. Maybe put a second roof inside and leave the rustic rood as is. Hang alum. roof sheeting under the rafters. White washed colors or antiquing could work.
  • Barbara Valenti Barbara Valenti on Jul 04, 2015
    Boy, that John has got some great answers huh! Really! Wonder if he's got enough $ to help pay for all that work to get done. LOL
  • Trixie63 Trixie63 on Jul 24, 2015
    I'm having a coral, orange summer so I'm agreeing with Maggie!
  • Barbara Valenti Barbara Valenti on Jul 26, 2015
    Did you ever get this painted? I might have missed your pic.
  • Bonnie Bonnie on May 31, 2016
    I love it just the way it is, can't wait to see the pop color, Don't forget to re post !
  • Mary Lou Morin Mary Lou Morin on Jul 21, 2016
    I'd do a glossy red, then put out a hummingbird feeder or two and see what happens!
  • Kt Kt on Sep 29, 2016
    For sure it would be great RED. Put a touch of red on the birdhouses too...just a touch!
  • Dande,OR Dande,OR on Sep 29, 2016
    I think any color would be great...personally I'd do red. I agree you need color by the window. Instead of painting that gorgeous weathered wood, could you add a small weathered wood shelf? Then add some pretty little pots, that way you could change out the color when you feel "inspired" by another.
  • Libbie B Libbie B on Jan 20, 2022

    A beautiful green would be lovely.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Mar 13, 2023

    IF IT IS IN A SUNNY SPOT YOU COULD GO FOR COOLER COLOUR - IF IN A COOLER SPOT USE WARM AND SUNNY COLOURS.