With a sunny bank holiday predicted for most places in Wales and summer just around the corner, many people have been, or are about to, check out the state of their garden furniture.
With the winter storms battering many gardens any furniture not protected or given an indoor place to hide in a shed or garage might be looking a bit past their best.
But before you consider a trip to the local council tip and rummaging around on the internet for a new collection of garden seats to relax in the sunshine, there is a way to have a go and revive your old furniture and it shouldn't cost you more than £50.
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One intrepid restorer decided to have a go and bring a taste of the Caribbean to her eight-year-old set of garden sofa, two chairs and table because, although looked after, she felt they needed to bring a bit of pizzazz to brighten up her garden.
Lorraine is an active member of the Facebook group The Frenchic Fan Forum, where upcyclers, novice painters and have-a-go DIYers share their marvellous makeover stories using Frenchic paint to the 580,000 members.
The inspiration and confidence she gained from seeing other people's projects decided it - her garden furniture was going to go bright pink. All it needed was a few sunny days, a quick clean of the plastic rattan furniture set with sugar soap and then allowing it to dry, and Lorraine was set for the transformation.
Although not everyone was taken by the bright pink Raspberry Punch shade Lorraine had chosen. She commented on her Facebook post that the family thought she was mad.
Undeterred, Lorraine ploughed on with the two chairs and table first. She says: "I did them on a sunny day, so they took about four and a half hours to do two coats on everything, and the drying was fast because the sun was on it."
Of course, Lorraine made sure the first coat was totally dry before adding the second. Once the second coat was totally dry she took a very close look at her handy work and dabbed on extra paint where it was needed.
The next day Lorraine tackled the sofa and improved her efficiency by applying what she had learnt from her first experience the day before.
She laughs: "It took much less time as I used a bigger brush - wish I'd thought of that before!"
The sofa only took 90 minutes for both coats to be done, with a bit of help from the sun. Once the pink was making a bold statement on the refreshed furniture, Lorraine added flamingo cushions to complete the tropical island holiday look.
The cream seat covers Lorraine already had for the set, but she added some more, new stuffing to revive them too.
Lorraine says: "The whole project took three tins of 500ml paint which cost £48 and the cushions were from Amazon for £27.
"Now people think it looks wonderful, they have changed their minds at the finished product."
And that is evident from the wave of wonderment flowing across Lorraine's two Facebook posts.
Group member Maureen Norton says: "Llovely and bright, better than the old grey ones," Sheryl Brodiagn says: "Definitely brightens up the garden." And Lucy Cawte agrees, saying: "Absolutely love this colour. Looks amazing."
And Lorraine's hard work has inspired others. Katrina Campbell says: "Omg I love it. I think I'm going to do this. Sorry Lorraine, if you don't mind me totally copying you that is."
Lorraine used Frenchic Al Fresco paint in Raspberry punch, a bright and rich pink that some people were initially worried about. Lishy Marie says 'wasn't sure on the pink at first but now you've added flamingos, I'm all over it'.
And the members of the Facebook group agree with Lishy, with the combined likes and loves on Lorraine's two posts currently standing at 3,600 plus 662 positive comments.
So before you decide to tip your garden furniture or try to give it away because you think it's beyond help, try giving painting a go.
The Frenchic paint company say their Al Fresco range works on plastic, metal and wood, as long as you prepare the surface correctly.
And if you can't find a shade you love with them, there are numerous other companies that manufacture outdoor paint, such as Rust-Oleum, Lick, Cuprinol and Thorndown, just check that the paint is suitable for the surface you want to refresh. See more ideas on how to transform tired outdoor furniture here.
If the budget is tight you don't have to accessorise your furniture, so then refreshing your garden furniture can cost less than £50, so maybe it's time to find your creativity and your paint brush?
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