Colour in Outdoor Spaces
Now is the perfect time to start thinking about your outdoor spaces. Does your patio need some TLC? Do your garden chairs need a fresh coat of paint? Have you considered adding a splash of colour to your terrace, balcony, or garden room? Here are eight different colour palettes from our collection to inspire you, ranging from fresh and vibrant, to calm and relaxed. I will explain why these colours work well in outdoor spaces and how to use them.
Earthy Red & Grey-Blue
This earthy red from Farrow & Ball is an excellent choice for your garden, as it complements the outdoor environment naturally. Its warm tones echo the colours found in soil, clay and brick, helping it to blend harmoniously with its surroundings rather than standing out harshly. Its richness creates a striking contrast with plants, making greens appear more vibrant and lush.
Unlike brighter reds, this subdued tone avoids overwhelming a space, making it suitable for both small and large gardens. It will also bring warmth and comfort to any outdoor area, making it feel more inviting.
This shade of red is highly practical for painting fences or walls as it hides dirt and dust better than a lighter colour. You could then add a lovely contrast with this grey-blue colour in the form of outdoor cushions, a rug or painted furniture.
Navy & Mid-Tone Blue
Navy blue is a colour very much at home in outdoor spaces, as its deep, rich tone creates a sense of calm and elegance, helping to establish a relaxing atmosphere.
Unlike other colours, navy is very forgiving in an outdoor environment, as it hides dirt, wear and weathering more effectively. This blue from Little Greene, paired with another mid-tone blue, can be used to paint walls, fencing, planters or furniture to create a fresh, serene feel.
It is also highly versatile, pairing beautifully with other colours and natural materials, from crisp whites and wooden accents to greenery and metallic furniture. Navy blue helps to make outdoor spaces feel connected to their surroundings, enhancing the overall sense of cohesion and tranquillity.
Fresh Green & Sea Blue
This natural combination of green and blue, achieved using Little Greene colours, creates a harmonious effect as the two colours mirror what we already associate with nature: lush vegetation and water or sky. Used together, these colours can make a space feel calm, refreshing and cohesive, rather than overly styled.
Fresh greens tend to feel grounding and invigorating, while sea blues have a calming and expansive effect. In this colour scheme, blue is the dominant colour, while the chairs feature a smaller amount of green as an accent colour to balance the look.
The chairs in this image have been given a new lease of life with a coat of paint, and the blue colour has been used to great effect as a background on the wooden cladding. Add textures such as an unpainted wooden table and cushions. For a subtle coastal feel, introduce some striped rugs.
Dusty Pink & Earthy Green
This sumptuous combination of Farrow & Ball paints features two main colours that are mirrored in nature. The dusty pink is reminiscent of faded flowers, while the muted, earthy green evokes images of moss and foliage. The key is to strike a balance between them, ensuring neither feels artificial or overpowering.
The earthy green can be used to anchor your colour scheme, for example with painted fences, outdoor furniture or planters. Then, as shown in this image, you can layer in the pink with a painted wall, ceramic pots, or soft furnishings such as cushions and throws. As this pink shade is muted rather than bright, it won't clash with your greenery and will create a warm, romantic feel.
For a more modern look keep your palette restrained with minimal pink accents and clean lines. For a more eclectic look layer both colours with patterned textiles.
Soft Green & Black
If you get the balance right, creating a breathing space in a garden with this soft, muted green and deep charcoal black from Farrow & Ball can look incredibly sophisticated. The green shade is calming and natural, making it perfect for walls, fences, planters, and outdoor furniture, as it reflects the surrounding greenery, blending in with the plants rather than competing with them.
The black is a soft charcoal, so adds depth without appearing stark. It can be used to paint metalwork, window or door frames, or as an accent colour for furniture. This will create definition and frame the softer green.
As both colours can appear cool, balance the look by adding natural wood, rattan or wicker furniture, terracotta pots, and soft furnishings.
Warm, Earthy Neutrals
Achieving an elevated outdoor look with this neutral colour combination of Little Greene paint colours is all about layering. As there are no contrasting colours, unlike our other boards in this section, the challenge lies in creating the perfect setting for this soft beige-taupe shade.
Treat the central neutral colour as a warm backdrop that makes everything around it stand out. It can be used on walls, rendered surfaces or fences. Pair it with a clean white for maximum contrast or this darker caramel accent to ground the scheme.
Finally, textures play a key role in a neutral palette. Baskets, wicker, jute, linen, wood, stone and concrete can all add depth to your design, helping you to achieve a relaxed and welcoming outdoor look - with bags of style!
Timeless Blue & Neutrals
The Farrow & Ball paint colours featured in this board are all incredibly nuanced. Together in this palette, however, they create a low-contrast tonal scheme. Depending on the light, the deep blue can appear blue, green or grey, while the colour in the middle appears as a soft, chalky grey-white, but can look more grey in the shade.
Their roles outside are different, but important. The blue can be used on front doors, garden gates, timber cladding, fences and planters, essentially where you would like to add depth and contrast. Conversely, use the mid-tone neutral to soften and balance exterior walls, window frames and pergolas. Think of this colour as a muted stone shade - not a bright white.
This combination of colours creates a cohesive look with no harsh contrasts, and would work well in both modern and traditional settings.
Natural, Earthy Stone Grey
If you're looking for a backdrop for your plants that will make them the centre of attention, why not try this neutral shade from Little Greene? This scheme's darkest colour can look incredible in an outdoor area, particularly on a rendered wall. Bear in mind that lighting conditions can affect the appearance of the colour, though. In south-facing spaces, it will appear richer and warmer, whereas in north-facing spaces, it may look deeper and moodier.
This colour really comes into its own when layered with planting, providing an excellent backdrop to bright greens, foliage and flowers, especially white, soft pink and purple blooms.
Finally, to prevent the scheme from looking too flat, add contrast by pairing it with lighter neutrals on trims or furniture, or by adding terracotta pots for warmth and natural stone or brass accents.