Turn your chipped, peeling, or sun-damaged picnic table into a chic statement. Just apply a few coats of matte black paint -- an idea inspired by the black furniture at artist Donald Judd's gardens in Marfa, Texas. Remember that the darker shade will absorb the sun's heat; consider placing the table in a shady spot in your yard in hotter climates.
Picnic patio table (similar to shown), by Outdoor Living Today, $400; matte exterior paint, by Martha Stewart Living, in Silhouette, homedepot.com.