Reviving Decking For A Vibrant Summer Space

As summer rolls around, our DIY attention turns to our gardens. But before we invite our family and friends round for a summer BBQ or warm weather garden party, we first need to whip our gardens into shape. If your garden decking has been left a little worse for wear after the winter months, here’s a step-by-step guide on how you can transform it into a vibrant outdoor space in time for summer.

Step 1: Clear and Inspect the Deck

The first thing to do is clear your decking. Remove any furniture, planters, and garden ornaments, allowing you to see the whole space. Scan your decking for damage, mould and anything else that needs attention. You may need to sweep any loose dirt and debris off the decking to uncover any issues.

It’s important to note the level of wear and damage as this will impact the products you use. If the decking just needs touching up, an oil would suffice. Alternatively, heavily damaged decking may be in need of a full repaint—but more on that later!

Step 2: Wash Thoroughly

Once you’ve cleared your decking and carried out any quick fixes, you can move on to cleaning your decking. You have two options here. The first is to purchase a decking cleaner online or from your local DIY store. This is the best option if your decking is particularly old or worn.

If your decking just needs a quick touch-up, use a homemade decking cleaner by mixing washing-up liquid and vinegar with warm water. Scrub with a hard-bristled brush or a pressure washer if you require some extra power.

Be sure to allow your decking to dry before continuing with your decking refurbishment.

Step 3: Sand If Needed

If you are tackling old decking that has lost its smoothness, you may want to consider sanding over your decking with sandpaper. If you’re unsure what sandpaper you require, 80-grit sandpaper should suffice in most cases. Change to 100-grit sandpaper if 80 feels too rough, or use 60-grit if you are working on extremely weathered decking.

Don’t forget to sweep or vacuum any mess that has been left behind after sanding your decking.

Step 4: Apply Decking Oil, Stain or Paint

Once you’ve restored the condition of your decking, you’ll need to make the decision between applying oil, stain or paint. Here are a few things to factor into your decision.

Decking oil is a good choice if you want your decking to keep its natural look. It works to nourish your wood, further enhancing its condition. However, if your decking is in particularly poor condition, a coat of oil will likely not be enough to bring it back from the dead.

If you’re a fan of the natural look, but decking oil isn’t covering your decking’s imperfections, decking stain is probably the most suitable option. While it doesn’t come in as many colour options as decking paint, it is easier to apply and allows the natural texture of the decking to still be seen.

If you want a more dramatic change, you’ll need to repaint your decking area. As it’s thicker than oil and stain, paint also does a better job of covering any blemishes. If you are thinking of repainting, be sure to check out the latest garden trends in terms of colours. According to Sandtex, deep blues and bold greens are on trend in 2025.

Step 5: Decorate For Summer

Once you’ve revived your decking, it’s time to put the finishing touches on your outdoor space. After all, there’s no point going through the effort of washing, sanding and painting if you aren’t going to decorate your decking area.

Start by adding fresh flowers to your decking, whether that’s through decorative planters or attention-grabbing hanging baskets. Poorly maintained plants are extremely noticeable and will distract from your resuscitated decking, so don’t forget to grab yourself some pruners and stay on top of your flowers.

You’ll obviously want to enjoy your new outdoor space, so you’ll need to add seating options. If your budget allows, treat your garden to some new outdoor furniture. If not, make sure you upcycle existing furniture if it’s looking old or worn.

Finally, add some ornaments. Whether functional or purely decorative, it’s important to add character and personality to your decking area. Current trends favour items such as pizza ovens, firepits and egg BBQs.

Final Thoughts

One person’s idea of a revival is completely different to another person’s. So, however you plan on tackling your outdoor space, it’s important to consider your own tastes. This can apply to the colours you choose and the ornaments you compliment your decking with. Once you’ve revived your decking, it’s time to carry on with your landscaping project before getting your friends and family round for a show stopping garden party.