In early spring days, the weather warms enough to make me consider spending all day outside. That’s when I start to think about how to make my gardens comfortable and enjoyable for the season ahead.
I walk around my house, I look at what I have, make my list and head to the Home Depot. I’ll visit the garden center, of course, but first I head to the painting aisle because spray paint is my new favorite garden hack.
Photo by Lucy Mercer.
Coincidentally, this spring, I rescued these green plastic Adirondack chairs and a metal side table from my dad’s backyard. They were, clearly, ready for a refresh. At the store, I selected Rust-Oleum Espresso in Satin Gloss to give them a rich, neutral look that will blend in with my garden landscape.
With a little bit of time and under $15 invested, I got all new furniture for my outdoors.
Pro tip: pay $4 for the economy comfort grip handle. Your future self will thank you.
Photo by Lucy Mercer.
How to Refresh Plastic Furniture with Spray Paint
- Pick an area outside to clean and paint the furniture. Put down a paint cloth or paper to protect the surface.
- Wipe down furniture surface with a soft cloth.
- Clean with a detergent (I used Oxi-Clean dissolved in water)over the entire surface of the chairs and table.
- Wipe with a clean cloth and let dry.
- Shake the paint can for at least 60 seconds.
- Wear disposable gloves and protective eyewear, if needed.
- Spray with a steady back and forth motion, making sure to get the under surface.
- Let dry overnight.
You can add a second coat of paint for a richer tone and for longer protection. I’m going to take my chances with a thorough single coat.
I completed my recycled furniture project with beautiful pots from Wakefield Handmade and a fresh planting of Ruby Slippers coleus and a dusky sweet potato vine.
Painting the chairs and table was just the beginning of my spray paint odyssey. See how I transformed some seriously worn out and downright ugly pots into elegant planters with just a coat of spray paint.
Let’s Talk About Gardening
Do you refresh your outdoor furniture with spray paint? Have you rescued furniture for your garden? I’d love to hear from you! The conversation for A Cook and Her Books is on Facebook and Instagram.
