Creating an intimate seating area on a front porch adds a welcoming entrance way to any home. It is aesthetically pleasing and is a reflection of your personality. If buying new outdoor furniture is not in the budget there are other options.
Purchasing used furniture from yard sales or second hand stores and then repainting it is easy on the wallet and rewarding. Old wicker furniture in particular is perfect for the front porch but often looks far too dated however, repainting old wicker a rich dark color will transform the look from old to new.
Here are a few simple pointers to follow in regards to repainting old wicker furniture but note it isn't necessarily difficult but rather time consuming. Patience is required.
Prepping The Wicker
- Clean the wicker well to rid it of dirt and oil using any eco-friendly cleaner.
- If there are any flat surfaces such as a table top, stripping the old paint completely will give the best results. Eco-friendly strippers are available and are effective. Prime table top after it has been stripped using a latex exterior primer.
- If stripping the table top is not an option use a exterior latex primer over the old paint but be sure to sand well over any loose paint that has chipped away.
Spray Paint Verses Paint Brush
- If painting wicker in a contrast color, light to dark or vice versa, spray paint is needed otherwise the color from the inside of the wicker will not be covered and will show through. There are many colors available in spray cans at paint centers and hardware stores.
- If the wicker is being repainted in a like color, dark to dark or light to light, a paint brush can be used.
Custom Spray Colors
- Although there are many pre-made spray colors available, it's possible that none of them is the color of choice. If that is the case there are certain paint centers that can take any color that is available in their store and put it in a spray can. This is done by first purchasing the paint in a can, the smallest size being a quart and then order the necessary number of spray cans needed. The cost of one spray can is approximately $17. One quart of paint equals approximately six cans of spray paint. For one large chair two spray cans may be required. Spray painting with custom paint is more expensive but it is possible to go back to the paint store with the paint can that was purchased and have spray cans made as needed, thus avoiding ordering more than necessary.
Spraying The Furniture
- When spraying furniture indoors it must be done in a well ventilated area. Use a mask suitable for fumes, gloves and eye protection.
- If spraying outdoors barricade the area using drop sheets and place them on the ground as well as the walls. Wear gloves, protective eye wear and a mask if available.
- Do not spray outdoors on a windy day.
- Spray the furniture upside down as well covering all crevices.
- For flat surfaces such as a table top use a roller brush rather than spray painting. Conserve the spray paint for the wicker. A roller will provide a nice smooth finish to the flat surface.
Transforming old patio furniture may seem like a daunting task but the end result is worth the effort. Replace the old cushion covers with new covers using modern fabric and instantly what once looked old and tired now looks fresh and new.
Donna Altomonte - Donna Altomonte is the founder of City Home and Garden, an on line home and garden store. Having a background in Fashion and Landscape ...
