Pots provide one of the easiest ways to bring color into the yard. Here, plastic containers were coated with leftover exterior paint; then filled with plants and lined up on an entry stairway.

Ideas for Turning Outdoor Spaces Into Eye-Turning Places

Want to jazz up your landscape
but lack a green thumb? Try something outside the plants. From painted gates to mosaic walls, vibrant pots to patterned fabrics, the possibilities abound. Following are some examples of ways to ensure your garden is abloom with color year-round.




Getting the Look
Even when there isn’t a bloom in sight, or the elements have taken their toll on plants, lively colors can keep outdoor spaces from losing their luster.

For additional interest, vary the heights at which objects are placed; set anything with a pattern against a plain background; and don’t be afraid to use contrasting hues.


Paint Tips
For best results, use a primer on brick, plaster, stucco and wood surfaces before coating with  latex or acrylic paint.

When applying paint to brick, use a roller, or dip a large sponge in the paint and stamp on the wall.

To enliven the earthy terrain of the Southwest landscape, choose strong
colors, such as brick, terra-cotta, turquoise or cobalt blue.