My mom gave me some wicker furniture that had been on her sun porch when we moved into our new place. Unfortunately from a distance the off white color totally disappeared next to our white siding and white porch, and up close it just looked dingy.
Enter spray paint! Meredith extolls the wonder of spray paint as a frugal fixer-upper, as do Manuella (The Feathered Nest-She revamped this plaque she found in the garage) and Amy (the Motherload-check out the refurbished handles using spray paint!)
I have decided that forest green is on it’s way out as an outdoor color. If you look at the furniture being sold in catalogs and stores, you don’t see any forest green-it is all either a dark brown or taupe color. However, I don’t like being boring and predictable, so I decided to go for something bright and unexpected-RED!
I bought 3 cans of this awesome barn red spray paint at our local chain dollar store (Rustoleum American Accents Colonial Red), and attacked the wicker one day last week. I don’t know if you can see, but I didn’t waste any paint on the part that will be covered by a cushion.
Unfortunately my estimate on how much paint I needed was off-and of course the store is completely out of that color paint now and may never get any more. I was able to buy 3 cans of a color called claret-but it is way more burgundy/wine than this color. I checked the corporate website, and although it shows several stores in the area carrying that paint line, no-one actually had any on hand.
I did get a really good solid coat on the table, and a pretty decent job on the two chairs-although there are spots on the legs and sides that need some more coverage. The love seat (not shown) is pretty patchy. That was with 2 cans of paint.
I have one can left and my intent is to finish up the spots on the two chairs that need it-then that 3 piece grouping will be complete. For the love seat, I will consider the coat it already has as a base coat, and then I will go to the store and buy the closest match I can find and finish up the love seat. Hopefully that will be a negligible difference and make it still look like a “set”. *
I’m planning on using the “Claret” color on my other wooden outdoor furniture-two Adirondack chairs and two picnic benches**. Although they will be a very different shade of red, I think that it will all sort of go together if I have to pull all of it into the back yard for a party etc, but without looking TOO matchy matchy.
I’ve even considered painting my aluminum patio set a shade of red, but then the green and taupe cushions and umbrella really wouldn’t match, and that might lead to a great temptation to buy a new umbrella and cushions. I’m already resisting that impulse on the wicker. The white with floral print is not the best, but the cushions in good condition so I’m trying not to succumb.
I had briefly considered sewing some new covers, but if I had to go with outdoor weatherproof fabric then it would be pretty expensive (like $10 a yard on sale). If I went with regular fabric I don’t know how it would hold up in rainy, damp weather. I also considered using vinyl tablecloths from the dollar store to sew up into cushions, but I think the plasticy-ness would be nasty to sit on in shorts when the weather gets warm. I don’t want to stick to my seat.
So that’s my spray paint saga! Total cost for revamping 8 pieces of outdoor furniture into something different from what ANY of the neighbors have-$14 (see note* on additional spray paint cost). I’ll probably have some paint left over for other projects too. I’ll post a picture of all the furniture together when I get it all done.
If you want more tips and tricks for buying and using spray paint, check out this great article Meredith wrote.
*Note: During the writing of this post one of the local hardware stores called me back and said they can order the paint color for me at $4 a can. I ordered two.
**Note: Yes, I have two benches and no table. Believe it or not I bought them 12 years ago to put in the hallway of my first apartment as a bench. I’m still using them, so it was a good purchase!
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Love your choice of colour, i think it will look great on your white porch.
I must admit i’m not usually a fan of wicker furniture but then i don’t have a porch (live in the UK and it’s just something we don’t have, unfortunately)
ANy way good for you on your frugal make over, i must admit i wuldn’t have thought of spray painting, but what a perfect solution.
I made some indoor/outdoor cushions once out of regular fabric, and then spray-painted them with clear spray paint. Worked like a charm, and it did not make the cushions feel plasticy.
Instead of hoping two different colors will match, why don’t you do the loveseat in a different color altogether, and do the cushions in a pattern that coordinates the two?
I love a taupe with a red–a plaid or floral cushion would be gorgeous using those colors, and it would look nice on a white porch.
I also like the idea of outdoor furniture not looking too matchy.
You might want to check Walmart for outdoor fabric they had some really great patterns/solids/stripes and it was $3.79 a yard. Home depot carries American accents paint and usually has a decent color range I think the red is the best color choice!
Thank you so much for linking up to my little painting project. I love the red color and I think it looks great. I hope you are able find a good paint to match the rest of the set because it really is lovely!
Meredith is super inspiring with her fast paint skills!!
Great job!!!
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I love the red–it’s my favorite color. Have you ever heard of Krylon Fusion Paint? It is made for spray-painting on plastic. I used it for some old white plastic chairs and they looked brand new when I was done. I’m like you, though–I didn’t estimate how much I’d need very well, either. And I went for green. I don’t care what’s in style…I do what I like. Come to think of it, next time I want to paint something for the yard, I’m going red!
Wicker patio furniture is made better and longer lasting now days. It is made of better fibers that hold up better in outdoor conditions. Wicker patio furniture is made from different things such as plastic fibers and plant fibers. When using materials like plastic in wicker furniture it is made much better and there are many good benefits from it like it standing up to most weather conditions. This makes it easier to maintain your wicker furniture. Wicker patio furniture will make your patio look like a living room. The wicker furniture is very nice in appearance and can come in single pieces or a whole set for your patio area. Some pieces of wicker furniture may include a sofa, chairs, ottoman, coffee and end tables. Wicker furniture can also include pieces such as table and chairs, rockers and lounge style chairs. This type of furniture can dress up your patio making it a comfortable room to be in.
I really love that color you went with. I too love bold and bright colors, taupe is too blah.